I'm all about going green, especially if I could ride in a hot little number like this Mini Cooper! The first ever electric powered Mini to hit the US will be rolling into a select number of driveways later this year to gain some road-tested street cred. Since only 500 of them are being released across California, New York, and New Jersey, you're probably going to have to wait awhile to get your own.
Dubbed the Mini E, it sports a 35 kW battery that can be charged in just over eight hours, or in as little as two and a half hours with the BMW-provided and mounted "Wallbox" that will up the amps flowing to your battery.
And don't think this electric vehicle takes as long to speed up as it does to charge. To see how quick this car moves, just read more.
The Mini E hits 62 miles per hour in just eight seconds — only four seconds slower than the red-hot Tesla Roadster. I've always been in love with the compact and cool Mini — especially since they are the perfect city cars — so going electric and green would almost make me consider a purchase! Key word being almost.
Infinite
Actually, an 8 sec 0-60 is quite slow. Please don't compare it to a Tesla roadster; 6 seconds and below are in a class of their own -- even 0.5 second makes a difference in the feel, to to mention 4 seconds. 8 seconds is about average for a not-very-powered car. At least it's faster than a Corolla.
1one of my main contentions against mini's is that when going highway speeds it can be a bit scary due to air getting caught under the car while driving and the small wheel base, it almost feels like you're going to take flight. my mother-in-law has a super charged mini with an upgraded exhaust and super charger and while it's fun and spry it's not particularly fast (especially compared to our gti vr6t) and i's a bit scary to drive on the highway with all the much bigger cars/trucks and the mini tending to drift in the lane due to the air under the carriage of the car. /:
2I'm a Mini Cooper owner and can say with all honesty this is the best car I have ever owned, and the most pleasurable to drive (and I've owned and driven all kinds of cars) and in my experience an amazing company to deal with. With my manual transmission I get 50mpg highway, and I've been writing and telling them that the only thing they could do to improve the Mini would be to make a hybrid or electric, so I was thrilled to get the email about this the other day! I've signed up to hopefully be included in the trials. The only downside is that the space needed for the battery takes up your backseat, so the new MINI E is only a two-seater.
3Very cool. I'm a mini owner too, Punk! Love it, never feel like I'm about to fly off either and I've done plenty of highway driving with my Jack Bing (that's his name)
The free maintenance deal is also an incredible perk of being a mini owner.
4I'm so excited for this! I plan on getting a mini after I get out of college in 2 or 3 years but if I can get an electric, I'm even happier!
5I don't know how i would feel about an all electric car. I loove the earth and want to help it but i would be so scared to drive because i would think that it would just shut off on the road an i would be stuck =o
6but it is def. cuute!
North and I looove Jesús Wheee (my Mini's name) but no backseat would mean no place to put my dog's carseat!
7I have a MINI too and it is fantastic! My dream car for sure. I'm glad MINI is making an electric version, but the battery taking up the whole backseat is no good. Plus, the battery adds almost 700 pounds to the tiny car's weight. But I'm sure, as with everything MINI, the future versions will have the kinks worked out.
8This is exciting. Once I graduate college I'm looking into purchasing a new car, and a mini cooper has always been somewhere in my top two's. Now with the option of an electric car, it makes me want it even more. I driven a few at the dealership and my uncle has one, they are super cute and it is a very smooth drive. My only problem is do I really want a mini, a small car, or do I want a big car like a range..? I guess with the current state of the economy it would only be smart to go green!
9Electric cars make me mad on so many levels.
10I wish it was a hybrid so I could hae a 4 seater. OH I soooo want a mini they are the best cars for parking here in the city (SF).
11syako, I've never experienced that feeling either. I've had quite the opposite; a smooth ride all around and everyone who's driven or been a passenger in my car has said how great it handles either city *or* highway. It also doesn't make much sense as a MINI is so low, how much air could get caught under it? My MINI's name is Lady Arabella Kensington (she's the black sheep of a royal family who's fast living and hangs with the *wrong* crowd), Bella for short.
PetSugar, I know, I won't have a place for my daughter! But since the initial trials are only for a one year lease, I thought I might try it as I do quite a bit of driving whilst she is in school, and I'll still have my MINI as a back-up.
12sfbutterfly24, I was hoping for a hybrid too but don't give up they may still have one in the works. Get one anyway, they are still amazing on gas, safe, easy to park (I park in NYC all the time and its a dream), and have some zip! The maintenance deal is great, they have an excellent re-sale value, and you can do fun customizations!
13Mini is my first car! And I am in love with her. My friends don't get near the gas mileage I get... Besides I date a guy with an SUV, he puts the boards on top and pump the gas. tee hee, did I really say that.
K all you nay-sayers out there-- GO calculate your mpg and fun factor for the car you own at www.carfunfootprint.com
Then report back with your score
and I will share mine.
Demi
14I'm a Mini motorist too; I have a 2007 Cooper S, which replaced a 2004 regular Cooper. We get crazy good gas mileage on it, and that sucker flings itself around corners like it's nobody's bidness. And trust me, as somebody who has rebuilt a '64 Mustang, I know a thing or 2 about cars.
I've never had an issue with going highway speeds. I will say it's not the most cushy ride -- it's a sports car, it's not supposed to be cushy like a Caddy -- but that's fine with me because boy does it ZOOOOOM! But I also have good performance tires on my car. If you cheap out and get crappy tires, you're going to feel it in any car, particularly light sports models.
15It may be time to update my Pepper! (my Mini's name :])
16I love my MINI!
17I got to see this car at the LA Auto Show a while back and I'm glad this looks the same as the regular MINI Coopers. I'm not particularly fond of the Clubman... and what's all this talk of a MINI SUV?!
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