MINI E Race

[SCOTT27]

Making on the infamous Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit at race speed with an electrically powered car is an ambitious project, but the BMW Group has just become the first car manufacturer to make it happen. Today the MINI E Race, a modified race-spec version of the standard MINI E, completed a lap of the legendary 20.8 km “Green Hell” in a time of 09:51.45 minutes. The MINI E Race hit a top speed of 187 km/h.
“The length and profile of the Nordschleife place extreme demands on the technology of our electric car. But the MINI E Race met this considerable challenge with great authority,” said the BMW Group’s Peter Krams, who headed up the project. “The aim of this unique undertaking was to provide an impressive showcase of the great potential of the MINI E and its environment-friendly drive concept.”
At the wheel of the electric racer for the hot lap was former DTM racing driver Thomas Jäger from Munich. “I’ve driven this circuit many times, but never in such an extraordinary car,” said Jäger, the MINI Challenge champion in 2006. “The power of the electric motor has an incredible effect, as you can access its full reserves of torque at all times. Another element of this fascinating experience is the lack of noise from the drivetrain. All in all, that was certainly the cleanest and quietest race lap I’ve ever driven.”
Extensive preparations had to be completed before the car could roll out onto the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The MINI E Race was fitted with a special lightweight body and a roll cage in order to ensure optimum performance and safety on the track. And various other components, such as the suspension, brakes and tyres, are also race specification. Other than that, however, the car relies almost exclusively on the standard technical make-up of the MINI E. For example, it shares the same 150 kW/204 hp electric motor, supplied with energy from 5,088 lithium-ion battery cells. The control electronics and the software were reprogrammed to achieve an optimal driving performance for the Nordschleife. The power from the emission-free motor is channelled to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox with a lengthened gear ratio.

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YouTube - MINI E Race @ Nürburgring Nordschleife 12.04.2010

 

[south]

More pictures:

Best regards,
south

 

[Cashmere]

any weight figures on the cars? Would love to see the weight difference between an electric mini and non electric.

 

[south]

any weight figures on the cars? Would love to see the weight difference between an electric mini and non electric.

Here ya go (not sure about the weight standard used, though):

Mini E: 1,465 kg
Mini E Race: 1,240 kg


Best regards,
south

 

[bmer]

I wonder why the video doesn't feature any in-car sounds...

 

[Rainer271]

2014 MINI E Race Coupe spied in Munich

Features a huge rear spoiler
The MINI E Race Coupe was spied for the first time ahead of next year's reveal and it was caught by our photographers on the streets of Munich, Germany.

More than three years ago the original MINI E Race managed to lap the Nürburgring in 9 minutes and 51 seconds which made it the fastest all-electric EV to lap the 'Ring. That was the hatchback version and now it appears MINI has prepared an evolution of that vehicle but in the coupe body style.

Caught on the streets of Munich in Germany, the 2014 MINI E Race Coupe sports a huge rear spoiler and inside it comes with a roll cage, a racing steering wheel and also racing seats. Details about the electric motor are not known at this moment but most likely it is more powerful than the 204 HP (150 kW) unit which its predecessor had.

Expect the new MIN E Race to be unveiled in 2014.