Mini unveils new electric concept ahead of Frankfurt Motor Show debut

Mini has pulled the covers off its new electric concept, ahead of the vehicle’s public debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

The electric vehicle (EV) follows the launch of the British brand’s first electrified production model, the Mini Countryman Plug-in Hybrid.

BMW Group – Mini’s parent company – will reveal a production version of the electric concept in 2019.

Harald Krüger, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, said: “The systematic electrification of the brand and product portfolio is a mainstay of the BMW Group’s Number One > Next strategy.

“The Mini Electric Concept offers a thrilling preview of the all-electric production vehicle. Mini and electrification make a perfect match.”

The EV concept features many classic Mini design cues, including a hexagonal radiator grille and circular headlights. However, these have been reinterpreted to better align with emissions-free technology, with the radiator grille closed up to improve aerodynamics.

Other design features hint at the new Mini’s electric powertrain, including prominent ‘E’ badging above the front wheel and on the yellow accent bar of the front grille.

According to a Mini statement, the new Mini electric concept’s design “provides an optimal balance between agility and weight”, which enables it to “offer maximised range in combination with the brand’s unique driving dynamics”.

One example of weight-saving employed on the concept EV is the use of 3D printing to produce the Mini’s aerodynamic inlays and the recessed louvred surfaces in the air intakes.

Board member Peter Schwarzenbauer said: “With its characteristic go-kart feel and powerful electric motor, the Mini Electric Concept is great fun to drive while also being completely suitable for everyday use – and producing zero emissions to boot. That’s how we at Mini envisage electric mobility in tomorrow’s world.”

Mini’s head of exterior design Christopher Weil explained that the yellow theme stands for “electro-mobility” at Mini.

He told the Press Association: “We believe that yellow is very vibrant and stands for a certain atmosphere. A human, urban atmosphere. And we were inspired by the light setting – if you think of a sunset, there’s warm light, and that was the inspiration for the yellow.”

The production version of the Mini electric concept will be manufactured in part at the brand’s Oxford plant.

The concept will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 16.