The MINI E Has Landed in NYC
The first batch of MINI E’s were just spotted at MINI of Manhattan getting prepped from the long haul across the Atlantic. These cars are meant for use as both press cars and the corporate BMW and MINI fleet for the US market. However look for at least one to remain at MINI of Manhattan for any curious onlookers that stop by.
Let the spotted threads BEGIN!
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.
I see one!!!….oh, nevermind..it’s just a toaster
I don’t think I’ll ever see one in Canada. Anybody going to bring one to AMVIV?
From what I’ve read – Yes, all 500 vehicles will have those same graphics on the doors…
In that case you could say the Prius is a customer funded marketing stunt.
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.
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.
The lease is ridiculous for that thing.
<blockquote>The lease is ridiculous for that thing.</blockquote>
I’m sure MINI will manage to find 500 people that disagree with you.
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.
The Camery is a swcheet car
Well they won’t be using one for a NYC Taxi unlike the electric PT Cruiser.