Electric Mini Coopers available next year!
07-23-2008, 02:52 PM
#1
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Electric Mini Coopers available next year!
http://gas2.org/2008/07/23/bmw-mini-...m-summer-2009/
That's quite a shocking announcement. No details makes me suspicious of whether or not they even have a prototype yet. My guess is a 150 mile range vehicle starting around $40-50k if they sell it. If this turns out to not be BS, it will leave me to wonder how they can churn out an electric mini in such short time while GM, Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, Honda don't have anything like this on tap (unless you count Volt...which isn't a pure electric).
That's quite a shocking announcement. No details makes me suspicious of whether or not they even have a prototype yet. My guess is a 150 mile range vehicle starting around $40-50k if they sell it. If this turns out to not be BS, it will leave me to wonder how they can churn out an electric mini in such short time while GM, Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, Honda don't have anything like this on tap (unless you count Volt...which isn't a pure electric).
07-23-2008, 03:03 PM
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You are assuming they aren't going to buy someone's technology and assuming that they haven't been working on this for awhile.
I would love to see 150 Miles out of it, but that seems high to me. I would take a volt over an all electric car though. I would like to be able to use the car to go more than 150 Miles. I think that is why the Prius is doing so well. It can go large distances and get good fuel economy. I can't say that I would enjoy driving one though.
I would love to see 150 Miles out of it, but that seems high to me. I would take a volt over an all electric car though. I would like to be able to use the car to go more than 150 Miles. I think that is why the Prius is doing so well. It can go large distances and get good fuel economy. I can't say that I would enjoy driving one though.
07-23-2008, 03:29 PM
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I would love to see 150 Miles out of it, but that seems high to me. I would take a volt over an all electric car though. I would like to be able to use the car to go more than 150 Miles. I think that is why the Prius is doing so well. It can go large distances and get good fuel economy. I can't say that I would enjoy driving one though.
As for range limitations...I already have two gasoline vehicles for long trips. Why would I buy a Volt and settle for sub-par electric-only performance and have to plug the thing in every single night ot make it to work and back. 150 mile range would get most people to work and back 2 or 3 days straight without charging.
Originally Posted by km9v
GM needs a Mini Cooper.
07-23-2008, 04:47 PM
#6
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Forget the Min-"E" Cooper... how about an inflatable electric car with a 2500 mile range, a price of $5000 that you can put together yourself in 2-hours?
http://gas2.org/2008/06/02/inflatabl...body-in-bliss/
http://gas2.org/2008/06/02/inflatabl...body-in-bliss/
07-23-2008, 05:02 PM
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Tesla roadster gets 220 miles roughly (that's their official number) and weighs 2690 pounds. The Mini Cooper weighs 2546 pounds. I'd expect a net change in weight by 200-300 pounds once batteries are put in and the gasoline engine is ripped out. I don't think 150 miles would then be out of the question. I know the Tesla has some aerodynamic advantages as well. But also remember a Mini doesn't need the sort of performance that a Tesla would need, and they could program the controller to be easier on the batteries.
As for range limitations...I already have two gasoline vehicles for long trips. Why would I buy a Volt and settle for sub-par electric-only performance and have to plug the thing in every single night ot make it to work and back. 150 mile range would get most people to work and back 2 or 3 days straight without charging.
Agreed...my boss at work has a Cooper S, that thing is pretty damn quick and they are averaging 35mpg (of course their 30 mile one-way commute is mostly 50mph driving with only 6 or 7 stops signs/lights.
As for range limitations...I already have two gasoline vehicles for long trips. Why would I buy a Volt and settle for sub-par electric-only performance and have to plug the thing in every single night ot make it to work and back. 150 mile range would get most people to work and back 2 or 3 days straight without charging.
Agreed...my boss at work has a Cooper S, that thing is pretty damn quick and they are averaging 35mpg (of course their 30 mile one-way commute is mostly 50mph driving with only 6 or 7 stops signs/lights.
Look at what Th!nk is doing. Very small vehicles.
http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive...7/01-think-ox/
770 lbs of battery. Range of 124 miles. 3300lbs curb weight.
The mini could come close to those numbers. They may not. I don't think that they will. Would be good to see though.
07-23-2008, 06:06 PM
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10-20-2008, 12:33 PM
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http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...per/index.html
They are going to lease 500 of them. I guess they are not ready to be sold yet/ still testing.
They are going to lease 500 of them. I guess they are not ready to be sold yet/ still testing.
10-20-2008, 12:43 PM
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http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...per/index.html
They are going to lease 500 of them. I guess they are not ready to be sold yet/ still testing.
They are going to lease 500 of them. I guess they are not ready to be sold yet/ still testing.
10-20-2008, 01:10 PM
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Wow, so assuming you could buy one, the price would probably be around $60,000.
10-20-2008, 01:20 PM
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From Jalopnik:
35kwh battery @380V nominal
5,088 cells grouped to 48 modules. 48 modules into 3 battery "elements" which are placed on the chassis.
Weight is 3,230 lbs
I'm curious about this, as the Tesla roadster is a 53kwh battery, and I've seen oddball figures about mi/kwh. Also the $900/mo is INSANE.
Paging Eric Bryant!
35kwh battery @380V nominal
5,088 cells grouped to 48 modules. 48 modules into 3 battery "elements" which are placed on the chassis.
"A full recharge draws a maximum of 28 kilowatt hours of electricity from the grid. Based on the car's range, a kilowatt hour translates into 5.4 miles."
I'm curious about this, as the Tesla roadster is a 53kwh battery, and I've seen oddball figures about mi/kwh. Also the $900/mo is INSANE.
Paging Eric Bryant!
10-20-2008, 04:40 PM
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