mini e
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We’ve seen numerous supercars take on the Nurburgring, things like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Nissan GT-R, and Pagani Zonda F, but now BMW has taken its MINI E all-electric hatchback to the notorious circuit. Taking on the Nurburgring circuit at race speed with an electrically powered car is an ambitious project, but BMW managed to do a single lap with its MINI E in a respectable 9m 51.45s, while reaching a top speed of 116 mph. At the wheel of the electric racer for the hot lap was former DTM racing driver Thomas Jager from Munich. “I’ve driven this circuit many times, but never in...
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Video: BMW’s new sub-brand to revive Isetta name?For the older European readers out there, the mention of the words BMW Isetta probably conjures up nostalgic images of little, egg-shaped cars trundling around the city, with styling that looked possibly as cheerful and non-threatening as a car could ever get. Built in the 1950s and ‘60s, the...
Alex Kaufmann -
BMW rules out fourth brand, favors new "sub-brand"
Since the release of its official strategy in September of 2007, media sources around the world have been speculating that BMW was looking at either launching its own new brand or acquiring one to help expansion. BMW already has a foothold in the luxury and ultra-luxury segments with its BMW and...
Alex Kaufmann -
BMW picks Bosch and Samsung JV as Project i battery supplier
BMW's foray into the world of hybrids is expected to begin at some point this year with the release of a hybrid variant of the 7-series flagship and eventually the X5 and X6 SUVs as well. While development for those cars is mostly complete, BMW is preparing its next-generation of hybrids and...
Alex Kaufmann -
Report: First BMW Project i car coming in 2012
In March of 2008 BMW first announced plans to establish a new research division called ‘Project i,’ whose task would be to develop a number of solutions for a vehicle designed for congested city motoring. The goal of Project i was never to exclusively develop one type of vehicle or...
Jeremy Weber -
BMW wants to develop its EV technology completely in-house
Since the release of BMW’s official strategy back in September 2007, media sources around the world have speculated about the carmaker looking to either launch its own new brand or acquire one to help its expansion. Instead, BMW established a new environmental think-tank dubbed 'Project i'...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Last year BMW and Fiat first started looking at cooperation over parts and platform sharing and possibly sales and distribution synergies, but with Fiat aligning itself with Chrysler earlier this year the scope of its workings with BMW have widened. Though exact details remain scarce, BMW and Fiat are reportedly working on a new range of fuel-efficient models together with Mini. Both companies are desperate to reduce their fleet-average CO2 emissions and fuel-consumption levels in light of toughening standards being implemented in the U.S. and Europe. The common solution is to expand their...
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Huge demand delays Mini EV test leases in U.S.
In a sign that Americans may truly be ready to embrace electric vehicles, including living with any shortcomings and paying a significant price premium, demand for BMW’s Mini E electric vehicle has outstripped supply by 4-to-1. Unfortunately, the plethora of applicants for the 450 available...
Alex Kaufmann -
BMW launching 50-car Mini-E test fleet in Berlin
Test markets for electric cars are popping up all around the globe as various carmakers and start-up projects work to lay the groundwork for more widespread adoption of the next-generation propulsion systems. The latest new market to be announced by BMW is the Berlin fleet of Mini-E EVs that will...
Nelson Ireson -
'Project i' to spawn more vehicles beyond Mini-E
Built in six months from start to finish, the Mini-E project is a remarkable example of just what can be done when bright minds are given the leeway and resources to create a modern EV from an existing platform. But at its root, the Mini-E still only a conversion of a combustion-engine vehicle, not...
Alex Kaufmann
