We've spent plenty of time going over the design of the new MINI E electric car since it was formally unveiled at the LA Auto Show. We've been inside, underneath and even behind the steering wheel a few times, and we can therefore say with authority that the car works as advertised. There are a few niggles, especially the loss of the back seat, reduced cargo area and some rather aggressive regenerative brakes, but all in all it's a solid first effort. That's exactly how BMW seems to view its first EV, with the goal of further refining the same basic system for use in other future models, including for electric versions of its 5 Series and range-topping 7 Series sedans.

Because the 5 and 7 are much larger cars, there is more room to hide the lithium ion battery pack away and the added weight won't be nearly as noticeable. After the size of the EV components are further reduced, the 3 Series is likely to get an EV option as well. Besides four-door passenger cars, BMW is likely to use some variation of the MINI E's electric drivetrain in its upcoming city car. Sounds like the future is, ahem... electric at BMW.

Gallery: MINI E
[Source: Auto Express]

Over at the MINI micro-site (is that redundant?) MINISpace the editors have posted an interview with Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht, Senior Vice President Brand Management MINI, and Ulrich Kranz, Head of Project i about the company's new electric car. The MINI E will be officially unveiled next Wednesday morning in Los Angeles, although we'll be getting full technical low-down a day earlier. Armbrecht and Kranz don't actually reveal a whole lot about the battery-powered two seater that we didn't already know, but if you haven't been paying attention, it's a good way to catch up. The MINI E is basically a beta test for BMW engineers to learn more about how lithium ion-powered plug-in cars perform in real world conditions. In a relatively unusual move, people in the warm climes of the west coast don't get an exclusive on this one. Customers in the New York/New Jersey area will be able to try out the MINI E in the cold as well. We'll be interested to see how it fares.


[Source: MINISpace]

For those of you hoping to snap up one first electrically powered MINIs, we have what may be bad news. The price of the MINI E keeps creeping upward. The other day, Automotive News reported that the battery-powered prototypes were going to cost over $500 for the lease. Today however, another site that we aren't familiar with, Luxvelocity, is reporting that it will priced at $850 per month for a one year lease. We've contacted BMW and MINI for a comment but have yet to hear anything back. It's unlikely that we will be hearing anything either since the car will debuting at the LA Auto Show in less than two weeks.

The Luxvelocity article does state that BMW will still be losing money on the cars at that price since they are hand-built prototypes. Given the value of these 500 cars, it should be no surprise that BMW would also require lessees to have a lockable garage to park the car in and install the wall charger. If you live in an apartment you're out of luck for now. We'll let you know if we hear anything new. Thanks to J for the tip!

Update: It's been confirmed by MINI USA spokesperson Nathalie Bauters that the price will in fact be $850/month.


[Source: Luxvelocity]

After taking a look at Autoblog's By the Numbers post for last month's U.S. sales figures, um, we need a drink. Seriously, it looks really bad. Except for one little bright spot from... drum roll please... MINI, yet again. As has been the case all year, the HUMMER brand was hit the hardest, falling an abysmal 66% in daily sales rate. MINI, on the other hand, scored a victory that's almost equally as impressive with a 50.6% daily sales rate increase.

Of course, the MINI brand couldn't possibly be any more opposed to the HUMMER marque. While the MINI Cooper manages to score fuel economy that's nearly comparable to the best in America, the HUMMER brand, and especially the H2 behemoth, frequently sees single-digit mileage numbers in testing. Although gas prices have indeed fallen off a bit as of late, that news wasn't enough to account for an increase in sales for the off-road specialist. It's been a rather rapid fall from grace, with the HUMMER brand selling more vehicles in September of last year than MINI.

[Source: Autoblog]

If a Corvette Z06 with its monstrous 7.0-liter eight cylinder engine was able to achieve nearly 31 miles per gallon at the MPG Marathon, what were some other performance cars able to manage? BMW's MINI can be both an economy car or a serious sporting contender depending on what engine option resides under its short little bonnet, and the highest of all performing Coopers features a force-fed 1.6-liter engine that's included as part of the John Cooper Works package. One such JCW MINI took part in the aforementioned mileage challenge and after the first day of 411 total miles of various roads, the team of auto scribes from Auto Express managed an impressive 53.3 mpg. That equates to an improvement of over 25-percent when compared to the JCW's combined European rating. To get that high mileage, the drivers of the car shifted early, usually under 2,000 RPM, kept a light foot on the throttle and didn't pass 40 miles per hour.

For a more accurate portrayal of the kind of mileage you might manage from a JCW MINI just by driving the speed limit and with a reasonable amount of restraint, the team adjusted their driving habits for the second day of testing and drove the 60 mph speed limit. The results? Not bad at all, with the tally coming in at 49.4 mpg after the second day had ended. A spokesperson for MINI U.K. was impressed, saying, "You've proved this model is the UK's greenest hot hatch. We believe this makes the JCW ideal for drivers who want to downsize, reduce fuel costs and environmental impact, but still own a sporting car." High praise indeed, though it came from a person with a vested interest to believe his own words. Still, despite the fact that it didn't win any records, it was a fine effort.


[Source: Auto Express]

We've known for a little while now that BMW would be introducing an electric version of its iconic MINI, and now we have the photo proof as Autocar has taken the wraps off the new electric car. Equipped with a 572-pound lithium ion battery of unknown capacity, the MINI E reportedly has a range of 150 miles after an 8-hour charge. Its electric heart beats out 204-horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, which should be plenty to make this MINI scoot. Indeed, the run to 60 should take a bit over 8-seconds and the top speed has been limited to 95 miles per hour. The entire car weighs in at a bit over 3,200 pounds and regenerative braking is used to extend the range. Body modifications are minimal, with unique badges and paint separating the E from its gas-powered siblings. On the inside, the gages have been switched up, with a multi-function unit in front of the driver, though the speedometer is still front and center in the middle of the dash. We'll be seeing it in person next month at the LA Auto Show.

UPDATE: We've added a high res gallery of the MINI E.


[Source: Autocar]

Question: What's the maximum size that a can a car be that's called a MINI? Answer: Exactly 4 meters and 10 centimeters long, or 162 inches. Wouldn't 'cha know, that's exactly the length of the latest MINI Crossover concept from the diminutive brand? Moving forward, it sounds as if there will be two different platforms for future products from BMW's MINI brand, and both of them could be shared with Fiat. One of them could end up being a bit larger than the current Cooper, the other just a bit smaller. We are left wondering if the MINI brand will be blessed with the long-rumored Isetta revival as opposed to its parent company.

Rumors also abound regarding the powertrain of future MINI products. Engines seem likely to be supplied by Fiat moving forward, with a 1.6-liter four cylinder for the Cooper and a possible twin cylinder powerplant for the Isetta revival. Whatever the case, Mini Global Brand Manager Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht assures us that it will be cute and fun to drive.

[Source: Inside Line]

Anyone who has ever tried to take a test drive before buying a new car has probably at some point encountered a recalcitrant dealer. This tends to be especially true when you want to try out a popular car like the MINI or Prius. Even if you can get a drive you're lucky to get 30 minutes at the wheel which is hardly enough to really evaluate a product that you are about to spend tens of thousands of dollars on. MINI Canada is offering up an unusual new test drive program called MINI Test Drive Forever. All you have to do is pay some cash, which coincidentally equals the price of the car and MINI Canada will let you test drive the MINI of your choice for as long as you want any time you want. You can even keep it at home and just bring it in for scheduled maintenance. Obviously it's nothing more than a quirky new advertising campaign encouraging people to buy a MINI but seems in keeping with the fun attitude of the brand. Given that MINI is currently selling cars as fast they can build them, it hardly seems worth spending the money on another marketing campaign.

[Source: MINI Canada]

When we met with MINI USA VP Jim McDowell back in July he told us that a fourth model would be added to the lineup soon, and it looks like we'll get our first real look at it in Paris next month. BMW will be rolling out the new MINI Crossover Concept. Four seems to be the operative number for the MINI Crossover. It get four seats, four doors, four driven wheels and it's over four meters long. No details about the powertrain have been revealed yet but it's likely that the production version will offer both gas and diesel engines for Europe, while the U.S. will only get the former. While the basic shape of the concept will probably carry forward largely unchanged to the production model coming in 2009, it's not known if the odd door configuration will. It's almost as if the designers couldn't decide what kind of doors to use. The passenger side has a conventionally hinged rear door while the drivers side has a sliding door. BMW calls this "new diversity through asymmetric arrangement," although the functionality is debatable. The rear hatch also swings out and to the side giving easy access to the cargo area. The MINI crossover also has an unusual center rail running the length of the passenger compartment that allows different combinations of storage compartments, cup holders, shelves, etc. to be attached.


[Source: BMW]

Preparing for the next-generation of auto dealerships, the Bill Jacobs BMW/MINI shop will break ground September 12 in Naperville, IL. The dealer's website features a countdown timer and a whole heap of information about how Bill Jacobs' crew hopes to make the building a way to "discuss the importance of eco-friendly initiatives in the automotive industry, as well as why automotive retailing is ready for these sorts of changes." How ready? Well, the shop will have a BMW Hydrogen 7 on hand on the 12th, so let's just say that they're ahead of the curve. The building will also feature sun shading, low VOC paints and "will take advantage of water, recycling and ventilation technologies to make the dealership more environmentally stable." Sensible.

[Source: Bill Jacobs Groundbreaking]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the MINI Cooper D

MINI doesn't seem to need much in the way of eye-catching advertising to sell its cars these days, with the brand's daily sales rate jumping by 14.9% -- one of only a handful of brands to increase at all. Still, the automaker's American arm has a new marketing scheme in the works, centering around their make-believe "carfun footprint" figure, which it defines as: "A measurement of how much fun your car is versus how much impact it has on the environment." The MINI is definitely one of the most enjoyable cars on U.S. roadways with its small size and sporty performance. To help you figure out your own carfun footprint, MINI has conveniently set up a website with a "Carfun Footprint Calculator," though it's not yet working. Check back in a few days.

MINI will be rolling out this new advertising campaign in full force soon enough. Expect to see these ads online and on billboards, in your favorite magazines and newspapers and on television. Know what would score even better on the Carfun Calculator? How 'bout an electric MINI. Oh yeah, and a diesel. Please?


[Source: MINI USA]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the MINI Cooper D

It looks like it will be even harder to get your hands on a MINI Cooper than ever before. Sales of the diminutive little hatch have been hot so far this year, as MINI had just a four day supply of unsold vehicles on hand at the close of June. This month, supply is even tighter with just one day's supply available. Unfortunately, the manufacturing plant in England is at full capacity, so there is no real way to increase supply. Therefore, if you are looking to get your mitts on either of the current gas-powered models, you'd better get your name on whatever list your dealer can offer. Those who want an electric MINI should certainly do the same.

In much more exciting and favorable news, we hear that BMW is seriously considering offering the diesel version of the urban car on U.S. soil. First, though, the automaker needs to produce a model of the vehicle is is legal for sale in all fifty states. Based on our driving impressions, especially considering the 47 miles per gallon we achieved with it, that day can't come soon enough!


[Source: Green Fuels Forecast]

Click the MINI Cooper D for a high res gallery

For reasons such as imported oil dependency and environmental concerns, there are some people who think personal cars are evil and must be eliminated from our roads immediately. This sentiment is patently unrealistic, and there's no shortage of people, this writer included, who to enjoy cars while using less fuel and emitting fewer greenhouse gases. I'm not ashamed to say that driving quickly is fun and feels good, but that doesn't mean I like to waste fuel or dump pollutants into the air. That's why I love driving cars like the Tesla Roadster. Having fun driving doesn't necessarily mean you need to have an insanely fast car like the Tesla or an Audi R8. Small, lightweight cars like the Mazda MX-5 or or the Honda Fit don't have gobs of power, but they're fun to drive because they handle well and go around corners quickly.

The latest resident of the AutoblogGreen Garage is one of the most entertaining and fuel efficient cars I've driven in a long time. Unfortunately, it's also a car that Americans cannot buy. The 1.6L diesel-powered MINI Cooper D is not available in North America, but fuel system supplier Bosch has added one to its promotional fleet and recently loaned it to us. The aptly-named MINI is indeed a small car and the gas-engined versions offered in the US have been flying off lots at a record pace in recent months. Through the first six months of 2008, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 34 percent compared to last year. Follow the jump to see how the MINI Cooper D rates compared to the regular Cooper.


All Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Click the MINI for a high res gallery

At a breakfast meeting with MINI USA VP Jim McDowell this morning he was asked to elaborate on recently announced plans for a battery powered MINI. McDowell acknowledged that the US branch was caught somewhat by surprise with the announcement. Plans have not been finalized at this point as to whether the cars will be leased or sold, or how many will be built. What McDowell did say for certain is that electric MINIs will be on the road in the hands of regular customers in the summer of 2009, one year from now. He could not say if all those customers would be in California or if they would be made available nationwide. No specifications such as range are available at this time either.

Update: After the presentation, we talked to McDowell for a few more minutes and although he couldn't say what type of battery will be in the cars, he did say that MINI will make a further announcement later this year, possibly around the time of the Los Angeles Auto Show.


All Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: MINI]

We're not sure that a bigger MINI Cooper is exactly what the buying public at large has been waiting for, but it is exactly what they might get. We would certainly hope that the small-size MINI would remain in the line, though that would certainly negate whatever savings BMW is hoping for by collaborating with Fiat on the project in the first place. Fiat will be using the platform for the next Grande Punto, due in 2011. MINI would not use the platform until 2012 at the earliest, followed up by Alfa Romeo's planned MiTo successor a year later. Also on the docket is a new Fiat-sourced 1.6L four-banger, which would be the third 1.6L engine used by BMW for the MINI in as many platforms.

It sounds as if BMW would like to save a few million euros in the development cost of the next MINI so it can continue building its larger rear-wheel drive passenger cars and *ugh* sports activity vehicles. What's more, the expected costs to hit future targeted fuel economy standards are rather staggering. This being the case, despite the huge sales potential of the MINI brand, it could well be playing second fiddle to the larger machines from its parent company in this case.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd.]