25 January 2022- Starting with a dedicated team at the MINI factory in Oxford, sustainable driving pleasure is now being created in classic cars. The original Mini’s electric motor combines tradition with forward-looking technology – in line with the circular economy. Munich. If today Alec Issigonis could design the classic Mini again, the iconic small car would have an electric motor. Because the original, launched in 1959, was created during the oil crisis with the idea of saving fuel and transporting four passengers and their luggage in minimal space. To this day, MINI is closely related to the principles of designer Issigonis, with its creative use of space and driving pleasure. The MINI Recharged project is an opportunity to continue telling the story of the classic Mini in the 21st century.
Convert classic Minis into electric drives, combining traditional values with future-proof technology. The idea was even before the British premium manufacturer offered a pure electric vehicle in the form of the MINI Cooper SE (combined power consumption according to WLTP: 17.6 – 15.2 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km. ). The classic Mini Electric was built in one go in 2018 and shown at the New York Auto Show. The response was so positive that a dedicated team at the Oxford MINI factory got to work and developed a plan to offer customers with classic Minis a corresponding offer.
To experience the traditional go-kart handling of emission-free driving, the original petrol engine of the classic Mini has been replaced by a modern electric drive. When retrofitted as part of MINI Recharged, only reversible changes are made to the substance of the vehicle. Careful handling of historical heritage is an important part of the concept. This makes it possible to restore the Classic Mini to its original state at a later date. During the conversion process, the original engine of each vehicle is tagged and stored so that it can be reused Future modding events for the classic Mini.
“What the project team are developing preserves the character of the classic Mini and enables its fans to enjoy all-electric performance. With
MINI Recharged, we are connecting the past with the future of the brand,” says Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI Brand. The MINI Recharged project means a vehicle’s life can be extended in a sustainable way. A classic Mini can now be given a new lease of life, accompanying its owner into the future, whilst maintaining its muchloved heritage.
It is powered by a modern electric motor that produces a continuous output of up to 90 kW and accelerates the electric classic Mini from zero to 100 km/h in about 9 seconds. Energy is provided by a high-voltage battery with a charging output of up to 6.6 kW and an estimated range of about 160 kilometers. In addition, every electric MINI Recharged classic Mini receives The unique central instrument cluster, known from the classics, now displays driving temperature, selected gear, range and speed.
MINI Recharged fans experience a whole new driving experience; a quiet powertrain with instant acceleration capable of entering electric or low-emission driving areas in many major cities that the internal combustion engine would otherwise be unable to reach. For example, the electric classic Mini can be driven on London’s Oxford Street or Piccadilly Circus and become part of the cityscape again without the driver having to pay an environmental tax (toll) in advance. Additionally, electric classic conversions do not require re-registration.
MINI Recharged fits seamlessly into the brand’s future strategy, which also includes circular economy aspects. The project will not produce any new cars, but will be built using popular existing cars. This means the classic Mini can start a second, more sustainable life. Today, every five new MINI models have electric drive, and with the MINI Recharged project, the love for the brand’s classic vehicles is becoming an experience that combines past and future. The bespoke upgrade of the classic Mini is only available in the UK. Each modified vehicle has an individual number and is therefore unique. “Personality also plays an important role in MINI Recharged,” said Sebastian Beuchel, Head of MINI Global Brand Management. “Unique classic miniatures are always created, including real wheel artwork.
That’s why future collaborations are also planned as part of the MINI Recharged programme, allowing well-known artists to express their creativity with specially designed classic Mini models.”