Official Release: MINI USA looks set to take a world lead in fuel efficiency with the announcement today (April 1) of a revolutionary magnetic propulsion system that will extend the range of its MINI E to several hundred, possibly even thousands of miles, on a single overnight charge of electricity.
Drawing on the same Magnetic Tow Technology (MTT) which was announced by BMW in the UK today, MINI USA has developed its own unique Propulsion / Repulsion 0401 (PR0401) System that is just one short step away from perpetual motion in an automobile.
MINI’s PR 0401 System uses a series of magnets situated in the MINI E’s moving and fixed parts of each of its four wheel hubs to both pull and push the wheels in the desired direction, exploiting the magnets’ natural tendency to attract and repel. Not only does this system allow the MINI PR to travel extraordinary distances for just a few cents, it produces virtually no noise as the electric motor can be switched off once the car is moving.
Professor Lirpa Loof, Head of Magnetic Attraction Technology at MINI USA, said: “The Mini E is already leading the way in EV performance, reliability and eco-friendliness but this amazing new system will push it onto another level. We could soon be seeing families travel across the USA from coast to coast for just a couple of bucks.â€
“The only energy this system uses is a small draw on the battery to start the vehicle moving forward and then the magnets take over and their natural properties do the rest. This has to be the ultimate range extender,†he added. “Anyone who has played with magnets as a kid or travelled on a Maglev train will understand precisely how this technology works and the kind of performance we are talking about.â€
Once moving, only tiny amounts of electric current are required to switch on and off the magnets, as the polarity of the fixed and moving magnets is rapidly switched from positive to negative. The magnets first attract and then quickly repel each other pushing the wheels in the desired direction – either forward or reverse.
One challenge that Professor Loof faced with the PR system was the speed of the MINI EV PR… and how to control it! The speed at which the magnets attract and repel each other is instantaneous, which means in theory the vehicle is capable of phenomenal speeds, restricted only by the time it takes to switch the magnets’ polarity and the wind resistance and drag of the MINI PR’s body. The MINI EV PR development vehicles are currently restricted to a top speed of 250 mph.
“For years, engineers have dreamed of developing perpetual motion for transport,†said Professor Loof, “And thanks to MINI PR, it looks like we are almost there.â€
The unique system, developed in conjunction with NASA, works via a discreet unit located in the front of the automobile that projects an enhanced magnetic beam 20 metres in front of the BMW. Once a suitable target car is located and the BMW is magnetically locked on behind it, the driver is then able to take his foot off the accelerator, switch off the engine and let the automobile in front do all the work. The towing car will not notice any change in manoeuvrability or forward motion.
<p>Nice.</p>
<p>:-)</p>
<p>Does it also make the car virtually undetectable by US Submarines?</p>
<p>What happens if you lock onto the vehicle in front, then turn on the regenerative braking? Will it charge your batteries? If so, just think of the possibilities! After your commute you can use your MINI to power your home! Or even sell the power back to the grid and get paid to commute! :)</p>
<p>The MINI EV PR development vehicles are currently restricted to a top speed of 250 mph.</p>
<p>gotta love that :)</p>
<p>WOW! As an industrial designer, this is fantastic! Also for it to be used on the MINI for a test vehicle…this is absolutely AMAZING!</p>
<p>April fools, right? Oh ha ha ha</p>
<p>I use this magnetic system for brushing my teeth, and it is really a wonderful thing!</p>
<p>Awesome!</p>
<p>Title should have been Mini rocks the G20</p>
<p>Awesome job on this one Motoringfile, a big batch of humor is exactly what I needed today.</p>
<p>I suspect if the engineering of the magnetic beam were harnessed so that the magnetic polarities of the two vehicles could be matched when rapid closure was detected, you’d have a built-in, active anti-collision mechanism as well!</p>
<p>Professor Lirpa Loof…classic. One of the best ones I’ve seen today.</p>
<p>Lirpa Loof = April Fool :D</p>
<p>This is becoming an annual thing. lol</p>
<p>Lirpa Loof? Sure looks like an anagram of “April Fool” Not too unlike my podcast episode of Red Belly Radio where I interview Sofia Proll about a new iPhone app that will help people track the number of peanuts in bags on Southwest Airlines flights. Hear it at <a href="http://www.redbellyradio.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.redbellyradio.com</a></p>
<p>Sadly this will never work for a MINI. Magnetic. Grill. Badges.</p>
<p>Sweet. I’ll look for it as an engine option on the MINI.com configurator.</p>
<p>Lirpa Loof. The name looked odd, but I must admit, on the first read, I just thought it was a funny sounding name. Captain Oblivious! Of course there is the <a href="http://www.mdi.lu/english/" rel="nofollow">air car</a> and it is not a joke. How about slotting this technology into a MINI?</p>
<p>Made the auto section of the NY Times, too: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/co52wm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://tinyurl.com/co52wm</a></p>
<p>Where do I fill out an application to see if I qualify to own this amazing vehicle? Any idea what the leasing rates will be? Can’t wait to get rid of my mag lev 3 wheel drive turbo-supercharged Isetta.</p>
<p>such a weak effort on MINIUSA’s part.</p>
<p>sorry, but MINI could have at least released official photos of the R60 today as part of their campaign to help enthusiasts get use to what is going to happen whether or not enthusiasts endorse the idea or not (because honestly, MINI doesn’t care enough anyway and they are not going to respond to enthusiast complaints.)</p>
<p>REF: the early photos of the R56 interior from the Pomona Fairgrounds “focus group” (keeping in mind, absolutely nothing changed between the first “focus group” and the final product).</p>
<p>I hope the BMW engineers are making progress on the problem with the Magnetic Tow Technology pulling to the side and sticking to metal bridges, guardrails, other cars, etc.</p>
<p>Will there be JCW magnet upgrades?</p>
<p>…and, it will be available exclusively in non-metallic BRG.</p>
<p>Or rather, GRB cillatem-non!</p>
<p>Will this qualify for the Federal Tax Credit of $10,000 which Obama has just approved?</p>
<p>what if the car infront runs out of gas or slams the brekes RIGHT after you connect? other than that what happens to electronics being used inside the car like a cellpone or a gameboy? the magnets might need a special covering to keep those things from malfunctioning….has this already been solved or not?</p>