Electric MINI revealed -- The Mini E - Page 7

graham · 03-07-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

the Telegraph is saying that a plug-in version of the MINI could be "on sale in Britain" by the end of 2009 (we assume the lease-only model for these cars will continue). If MINI's test program does move to the UK, it would expand the test areas beyond Germany and the U.S. to the iconic car's home turf. That's fitting, no?

As for the already-announced test locations, the New York and LA participants should be getting their MINI Es in the next few weeks while Berlin and Munich residents need to wait until later this spring

vfx · 03-07-2009, 03:58 PM

A friend of a friend here in LA has his now.

DDB · 03-08-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfx

A friend of a friend here in LA has his now.

What does he think about it?

vfx · 03-08-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDB

What does he think about it?

My connection is too far removed to get a quick answer. Maybe in a week or so.

vfx · 03-09-2009, 06:41 PM

Jay Leno drives it.

TEG · 03-09-2009, 07:04 PM

Jay seems to be getting more and more knowledgeable about EVs these days.
( Although there were a few little odd comments like "electricity doesn't like hot and cold weather", but I suppose some EVs do involve battery heaters and chillers ).

He has driven just about everything so it is fun to see his somewhat dispassionate reviews with the smirky humor to keep it interesting.

vfx · 03-09-2009, 07:29 PM

Jay teaches us regen:

"You step off the gas, you...you're putting electricity back in. You create friction* which runs the electric motor..."

*(rubs hands together on the word "friction")

JRP3 · 03-09-2009, 07:32 PM

Not that long ago Leno was fairly anti-EV, constantly acting as if his 1909 Baker electric was the equal of the EV1 and other modern EV's since it could go 100 miles on a charge, ignoring the fact that it did so at 25 mph without modern conveniences like A/C and a stereo. I see he's still using the Baker as a comparison though he's forced to admit it doesn't really hold up. Good to see that he's being dragged kicking and screaming into the future.

vfx · 03-09-2009, 07:41 PM

I came back to say that too. He even gave the 23mph Baker speed twice in the piece.

Clearly he has come around -and wants credit as a pioneer.

TEG · 03-09-2009, 08:10 PM

To heck with their burnout proof traction control... A bootlegger turn is only a handbrake away!