Mini back to future
If Alec Issigonis could design the classic Mini again today, the iconic small car would probably have an electric motor.
After all, the original launched in 1959 was created during an oil crisis. It was based on the idea of saving fuel and transporting four occupants and their luggage in the smallest possible footprint.
To this day, Mini remains linked to the principles of Issigonis with its creative use of space and driving fun. Now the Mini Recharged project is an opportunity to continue telling the story of the classic in a sustainable way.
The idea of converting classic Minis to an electric drive combines traditional values was born even before the marque had a full electric vehicle on offer with the Cooper SE.
As a one-off, a Mini Electric was built in 2018 and presented at the New York Auto Show. The reactions were so positive that a dedicated team from the plant in Oxford, England, developed the plan to make a corresponding offer available to classic Mini owners.
To experience traditional go-kart handling with an emissions-free drivetrain, the original petrol engine was replaced by a modern electric drive.
Now, only reversible changes are made to the substance of the car during conversion. Careful handling of the historical heritage is an important part of the concept and during conversion, the original engine is marked and stored for reuse in the event of a future retrofit.
“What the project team is developing preserves the character of the classic Mini and enables fans to enjoy all-electric performance,” says Bernd Körber, head of Mini. “With Mini Recharged, we are connecting the past with the future of the brand.”
The project means a vehicle’s life can be extended in a sustainable way. The drive is a modern electric motor that generates a continuous output of up to 90kW and makes the 0-100kph dash in about nine seconds.
Energy is supplied by a high-voltage battery, which can be charged with an output of up to 6.6kW and enables a predicted range of around 160km.
In addition, every electrified classic receives the characteristic central instrument cluster. Familiar since the early days of the classic, it displays the drive temperature, selected gear, range and speed.
