Ask MF: Your Questions On the MINI E
Tomorrow I’ll be driving the MINI E for the first time. While Michael reviewed the car last year, tomorrow will mark the first time I’ve actually been behind the wheel. And while I can’t wait to experience the rolling test bed myself, I’d also like to hear from you. So do you have questions about the MINI? Sound off below and I’ll make sure they get answered in our upcoming review.
<p>I’ve driven one. I was amazed at how much power it had. MUCH more power than the cooper although not as fast as the S.</p>
<p>It’s really weird when you take your foot off the gas and it feels like you’ve applied the brakes.</p>
<p>Overall though, it is a car that would work very well for me since I normally drive about 50 miles a day.</p>
<p>oh yea, torque steer – it had more TS than my modded JCW.</p>
<p>I’m curious how the various systems work in the absence of the petrol motor. I’m thinking things that traditionally are tied to the motor and not purely electric.</p>
<p>Steering assist – is it all electric, or a combo of elec/hydraulic?</p>
<p>Is there any power assist on the brakes?</p>
<p>Is AC compressor run off a separate elec motor or from the drive train?</p>
<p>Does heat run of electric elements or is there waste heat from the drive train/batteries that can provide cabin heat?</p>
<p>Is there any liquid circulated cooling system for the elec motor or batteries?</p>
<p>Stuff like that. How’s this thing tic?</p>
<p>How about when can we get them up here in Canada!</p>
<p>Is the engine sluggish when you first start it?</p>
<p>What type of tires are on it?</p>
<p>Is it worth the investment?</p>
<p>earth day + 40 years.
I like the idea of an electric MINI. I don’t believe it is an answer for everyone but electric power could be an anwer for many people. While stopped at a light the other day I had a brief exchange with a Telsa owner (my first sighting). He stated the car is a joy for his daily drive and a blast on the back roads. I hope that when MINI come out with the Coupe and Roadster they consider electric power as an option. It would be nice to see an affordable fun car in the electric car market.</p>
<p>The only question I would have is: is no one concerned about the Mini’s marquee being diluted by this “green” car? I for one bristle when I’m told that I have to drive something less than enjoyable just to satisfy an unproven theory thats being forced down peoples’ throats.</p>
<p>Do all the batteries in the back make it tail heavy? Or cause it to over/understeer?</p>
<p>My only question is can you take me for a test ride? ;-)</p>
<p>I am holding out for a coal burning Mini.</p>
<p>How many people can this car carry? Two or four?
Are the batteries in the rear passenger area?</p>
<p>@MM…
Actually, it already IS a coal burning Mini, when you allow for the fact that the electricity used to charge the batteries will almost certainly be generated by coal-burning power plants!
Enjoy.</p>
<p>I’ll be most interested to hear you impressions on the regenerative braking, as it sounds pretty dramatic. I wonder what that is like on a freeway, and how you need to adjust. It will also be interesting to get your take on how this car’s suspension might need to be modified to compensate for the additional weight, and the location of that weight.</p>
<p>I’ve seen this car and read about it in the NYTimes. I see that the battery takes up the all the space behind the two front seats, how is this in any way functional? It just seems to the lay person that MINI just “mickey moused” a huge battery onto a pre-existing mini coup, they seem to be missing ingenuity and finesses in this project! What kind of accolades are they expecting? Where is the creativity?</p>
<p>My question is… do you think they’d notice if you “borrowed” the Cooper D hood and gave it to Todd to deliver to me at MOTD? I tried to get one for my Cooper after we had a deer incident, but even with a MINI E VIN#, there supposedly weren’t any available in the US, so it would have taken 8 weeks to get one, among other grill/bumper considerations.</p>
<p>BTW, @Greg W, the back seats are full of batteries, as you suspected.</p>