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BMW's MINI E Program Will Lead to New BMW City Electric Car in 2012

BMW's MINI E Program Will Lead to New BMW City Electric Car in 2012

Lyle Dennis June 27th, 2009 Lyle Dennis By Lyle Dennis Editor-in-Chief June 27th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 BMW is currently leasing 450 electric MINIs outfitted with a 205 HP AC propulsion drivetrain and 35 kwh lithium-ion battery.  This author is one of the "pioneers" involved in the field test.  BMWs plan is to take back the cars at the end of the one-year lease and dismantle them to learn how they handled a year on the public roads and in the public's hands. "The MINI E will play a significant role in the derivation of forthcoming strategic and technological decisions, " says BMW spokesperson Nathalie Bauters.  "In talking about their experience with the MINI E, customers will be helping MINI and the BMW Group determine the viability of electric vehicles in big cities." "The MINI E is just one example of what the BMW Group is doing to develop future mobility concepts that are efficient and help reduce our impact on the environment and our dependence on foreign oil.," she says.  "MINI E is the first product of BMW’s project i (i stands for international, intelligent and innovative) – a program designed to research and develop transportation strategies and new types of vehicles specifically to meet the needs of the world’s growing mega-cities." And according to BMW CEO  the first project i car will be launched in 2012 and be less expensive than the BMW 1 series or MINI Cooper. The BMW City will be a 3-door hatch pure electric 4-seater with BMW styling and 100 mile range.  It will likely get a new name. Source (Car and Driver)

BMW City Electric Car

BMW City Electric Car

Enlarge Photo

BMW is currently leasing 450 electric MINIs outfitted with a 205 HP AC propulsion drivetrain and 35 kwh lithium-ion battery.  This author is one of the "pioneers" involved in the field test.  BMWs plan is to take back the cars at the end of the one-year lease and dismantle them to learn how they handled a year on the public roads and in the public's hands.

"The MINI E will play a significant role in the derivation of forthcoming strategic and technological decisions, " says BMW spokesperson Nathalie Bauters.  "In talking about their experience with the MINI E, customers will be helping MINI and the BMW Group determine the viability of electric vehicles in big cities."

"The MINI E is just one example of what the BMW Group is doing to develop future mobility concepts that are efficient and help reduce our impact on the environment and our dependence on foreign oil.," she says.  "MINI E is the first product of BMW’s project i (i stands for international, intelligent and innovative) – a program designed to research and develop transportation strategies and new types of vehicles specifically to meet the needs of the world’s growing mega-cities."

And according to BMW CEO  the first project i car will be launched in 2012 and be less expensive than the BMW 1 series or MINI Cooper.

The BMW City will be a 3-door hatch pure electric 4-seater with BMW styling and 100 mile range.  It will likely get a new name.

Source (Car and Driver)

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Comments (5 total)

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  1. By  nasaman #1, Posted: 6/28/2009

    AT LAST!!! A world-class automobile company is designing a small, practical EV for city dwellers that does NOT look like a giant disfigured insect! Hopefully, it truly will "be less expensive than the BMW 1 series or MINI Cooper" as you say above. Well-engineered, handsomely-styled and affordable?!?! KUDOS to BMW if they actually build it, and to you Lyle for telling us about this little beauty!!!

  2. By Thomas Gilling #2, Posted: 6/28/2009

    Like the CityRover call it CityBMW.

  3. By JC Jacquemin #3, Posted: 6/28/2009

    I completely agree with nasaman.
    My daughter wanted to buy a BMW 1 series but seeing this picture said I'll delay my purchase and keep my old Ford Fiesta (12 years old) a little longer.
    Regards
    JC NPNS

  4. By Noel Park #4, Posted: 6/29/2009

    Round up the usual suspects!
    Hi guys, nice to see your names here Slowly, slowly, we're taking control, hehehe.
    BTW, commenting here is getting a lot more user friendly. Thanks.

  5. By  car holic - bmw #5, Posted: 7/4/2009

    how far of efficient using electric car ? because they must be charged on electric, while worlds are lacking of electric station.
    anya beauty

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