All-Electric Mini Cooper Ready for Consumer Market
Hybrid Technologies, known for their Smart Car and sponsoring UC Berkeley's sophisticated Cal Sol Project, announced today that their all-electric, Lithium-Ion powered BMW AG Mini Cooper has moved into production. The car is reported to have a range of 120+ miles on a single charge, speeds up to 80 miles per hour, and acceleration of 0-60 in 6.0 seconds. According to the press release, "The Mini Cooper Frame is produced by Mini Cooper in Oxford England, and the conversion to all-lithium currently takes place in North Carolina at Hybrid's Mooresville plant."
You can watch these test drive videos from Popular Mechanics and Forbes Magazine.
I love announcements like this. I think fun and sexy cars like the Mini and the Tesla are just what the auto industry needs to get people excited about the potential of electric cars. No word about the cost, though. Hopefully it will be affordable...
The Mini is incredibly fun to drive as it is...I can only imagine what an electric engine will do for its performance. You can currently rent a non-electric one from ZipCar, it will be interesting to see if car sharing companies hop on this as a great way to introduce people to these cars.
On a related note, check out Jay Leno's review of the Tesla.
The MINI family is getting a new big brother. The MINI Clubman ($TBA) retains the trademark styling and agile handling, but gains new proportions, split-rear doors and a passenger-side suicide door. The 5-door Clubman has 9.45 more inches of body length and a wheelbase that's extended by 3.15 inches, offering more leg and storage room. The Clubman will go on sale in the U.S. early next year with two models — the MINI Cooper Clubman (120-hp, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder) and the MINI Cooper S Clubman (175-hp, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder with twin-scroll turbocharger).
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