The MINI E Has Landed in NYC

Sideways Dec 12th, 2008 Link

Let the spotted threads BEGIN!

Alan Smithee Dec 12th, 2008 Link

I wonder if customer cars are going to have ALL of the show car graphics that the pictured cars seem to have?

It’s making the pilot program look like even more of a customer-subsidized marketing stunt.

greg Dec 12th, 2008 Link

I see one!!!….oh, nevermind..it’s just a toaster

beken Dec 12th, 2008 Link

I don’t think I’ll ever see one in Canada. Anybody going to bring one to AMVIV?

PaulGraz Dec 12th, 2008 Link

From what I’ve read – Yes, all 500 vehicles will have those same graphics on the doors…

lavardera Dec 12th, 2008 Link

In that case you could say the Prius is a customer funded marketing stunt.

Alan Smithee Dec 12th, 2008 Link

lavardera, how do you figure? The Prius features patented technology on a practical bespoke platform at a competitive price for the mass market.

The MINI E is a standard MINI with a trunkload of batteries and an electric motor. People have been doing conversions like this in their garages for decades; there is nothing revolutionary about the MINI E. However, for the lease price of a Porsche Carrera you can have the ‘privilege’ of driving a rolling billboard for a year if you are ‘lucky’ enough to be selected.

C4 Dec 12th, 2008 Link

And the car feels more like an electric Golf cart than a real MINI. Plus “150 mile” battery range.

Yeah, it has all the fixings of a marketing stunt.

STIGG Dec 12th, 2008 Link

The lease is ridiculous for that thing.

Craig Dec 13th, 2008 Link

The lease is ridiculous for that thing.

I’m sure MINI will manage to find 500 people that disagree with you.

lavardera Dec 13th, 2008 Link

I’m just saying the Prius was designed to telegraph what it was, and by comparison hybrids that were stealthy (civic, accord, camery) were not nearly as popular. I’m just saying that’s no different than some stickers.

C4 Dec 15th, 2008 Link

The Camery is a swcheet car

GregW Dec 16th, 2008 Link

Well they won’t be using one for a NYC Taxi unlike the electric PT Cruiser.