MINI Shocks the Automotive World With Scooter Concept
Sketches have leaked out of the the MINI E Scooter Concept that is due to debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month. The plug-in electric scooter is a serious proposal by MINI for those of us needing ultra efficient urban transport. The scooter is has been crafted with the MINI design language used throughout. The oval mirrors, large speedo and of course the chrome definitely all says MINI.
We’re not entirely sure of this is the concept that MINI UK is alluding to or not but clearly this is coming around the September 23rd time-frame that the Facebook page mentions.
The powerplant is 100% electric and integrated directly into the rear wheel. It’s driven by a lithium-ion batter that can be charged using a standard power outlet. The scooter even has a retractable power cable built in.
We’re hearing that MINI will surprise us with another variation on the scooter at Paris and both are there to judge the idea against production. Yes, MINI very well could build what you see above. Interested? Let us know below in the comment section
<p>I have always thought a Vespa as the coolest way to travel around downtown, and a MINI scooter would be even better. Would I buy one? No.</p>
<p>Looks lovely, just the ticket!!</p>
<p>I have nothing like it in my garage, but would make use of being able to run around my area with one.
Sign me up.</p>
<p>My wife has been wanting a scooter for around town errands. Looks like we might get one of these if they are not too much.</p>
<p>Hook me up! Hondas and Vespas are everywhere. This would be a great alternative.</p>
<p>This looks very similar to the Sym MIO 50. I’m sure MINI will just contract manufacture of a scooter through Korea or China if they sell one.</p>
<p>I have a 50cc scooter and enjoy it for running around, and I have commuted to work on it by sticking to 45 mph roads. There are quite a few 50cc models now that get over 100mpg.</p>
<p>Bring it!</p>
<p>What’s it cost?</p>
<p>Great for summer days, with the MINI style!
Hope this will see the daylight</p>
<p>Could be fun for existing owners too. Like sell a hitch for the Clubman/Countryman, or offer free paint matching to your existing MINI. Comfort access compatibility so one fob in your pocket operates either the scooter or the car?</p>
<p>Sign me up!</p>
<p>I’ll always take a motorcycle’s stability over a scooter’s, but scooters would make an accessible entry point to the brand. I say go for it.</p>
<p>JCW version??? Bigger wheels and brake pkg with runningboards (footpegs maybe) for better corner performance.Not to different than BMW having a motocycle division in addition to a car division. What would the RR version be?</p>
<p>Actually the wife and I could use something like this for around town. There are some MINI owners that own RV’s. Something like this would be nice for them too. A lot would depend on cost and charge time.</p>
<p>I want one! And +1 for what Chad said.</p>
<p>I’d love to replace my Honda 50 with one of these. I miss driving my MINI now that I commute on the scooter.</p>
<p>I have yet to see an electric scooter that was practical or cost effective. So I’m not holding out hope.</p>
<p>I would take one!</p>
<p>bring it on! my wife would love one.</p>
<p>Would love to see MINI do something like the old Honda Motocompo, which was a foldable scooter that fit in the back of the Honda City.</p>
<p>More info and pics here:</p>
<p><a href="http://gadgets.3yen.com/2005-04-01/the-honda-motocompo/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://gadgets.3yen.com/2005-04-01/the-honda-motocompo/</a></p>
<p>With the motor built into the wheels, I’ll hold out for the “Conntryman” (AWD) model…</p>
<p>Ron, I was going to comment similarly about the Motocompo. It would be great if MINI would have a smaller, foldable scooter that fit in the back of the Countryman. It would also be a huge plus if the scooter was electric and could charge from the MINI while the motor was running.</p>
<p>In a way it’s not surprising since BMW is a well established motorcycle manufacturer.</p>
<p>I will have to find the pictures of the MINI SKINI April Fools concept from Canada. Here is one from the web, I have screen captures somewhere.</p>
<p><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:UH6jNkYb8WxFPM:http://blog-imgs-11-origin.fc2.com/k/o/b/kobesevenstar/Skini7.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:UH6jNkYb8WxFPM:http://blog-imgs-11-origin.fc2.com/k/o/b/kobesevenstar/Skini7.jpg</a></p>
<p>We can see one at the end of the MINI ‘ s New Commercial: The Last Spot. “As with most automakers BMW needs to leverage every one of its platforms to make sure it ‘ s profitable and allows for economies of scale”. (Sorry, it was too easy).</p>
<p>Hmm…Vespa GTS 300 Super that goes 80mph and will go about 160 miles on a tank of gas…although a Mini Scooter may be kind of cool…</p>
<p>Very cool and would help “keep MINI [the brand] mini”.</p>
<p>Reminds me of the April Fools joke (MINI Skini) from MINI Canada a few years back.</p>
<p>Will have to wait and see if this is real. Pretty sure a scooter won’t have goKart handling. ; )</p>
<p>My first mini was a scooter, a Honda Sprit.</p>
<p>Brought it home from the Honda store in the trunk of my father’s car. My best friend and I tooled all over Boulder on that (P had to get off on certain hills like Broadway and run along side). Filled it up a couple of times a week for about $1.00.</p>
<p>I have a great bicycle that is even cheaper to run that a scooter.</p>
<p>DaCrema – I’m with you. Let’s figure out how to over volt it. Maybe throw on some coilovers. Not sure that a rear sway bar will do us much good though.</p>
<p>Two things that could cause failure: over-priced and limited range. I don’t have much hope for either.</p>
<p>Ok, I not only need a scooter but if it was MINI I would almost have no choice but to buy one for both myself and my parter!</p>
<p>GOOD GOD YES!!!!! especially if it can somehow be made to ride on the back of a regular MINI! there’re LOTS of places i go where i could use a scooter rather than a MINI around small towns and vacations!</p>
<p>I want one! And +2 for what Chad said. A same-color Little Partner for my MINI would be excellent, assuming that the price is right.</p>
<p>But wait for it…… the price tag!
Being BMW and MINI this is not going to put Honda and Yamaha out of the scooter business.
Remember the BMW C1 scooter? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_C1" rel="nofollow ugc">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_C1</a>
I didn’t see you guys rushing out to buy one of those….</p>
<p>My biggest fear is that prospective purchasers will view this as a toy, and operate it as such. Electric or not, it belongs on the street like any other powered-two-wheeler, but I can imagine them being driven in the bike lane or down the sidewalk by throngs of noobs who will flock to this just because it wears the MINI logo. To top it off, the croc-wearing, helmet-less buffoon at the controls will probably have the nerve to honk their horn at you (on the sidewalk) when you’re “in their way.”</p>
<p>Hmmmmm Track Day Scooter? Anyone?</p>
<p>I’m game. :D</p>
<p>An accident waiting to happen! Give me a S1000 RR with MINI badges…</p>
<p>Give it some HP and I’ll take one. As long as it dosen’t look like a BMW scooter.</p>
<p>Wow! Just when I thought I couldn’t love the MINI brand more than I already do, they go and do something like this! What a fabulous melding of my two favorite things. The design has certainly come a long way from their “SKINI” April fool’s joke from a few years ago. My hope would be that they give it performance more like a 150cc class scooter rather an a 50cc class bike, but the latter is more likely.</p>
<p>The torque of the electric motors would make this a very fun ride even if the speed were limited to the 50cc 34 mph top speed. As for range, keep in mind that the average commute is less than 40 miles. Given that scooters are ideal for truly urban environments, that 40 mile range could be more than enough for most users. If you’re looking for a long-distance suburb-to-city scoot, then the Vespa GTS mentioned earlier is the ride for you. As with the MINI, this need not be all things to all people.</p>
<p>I would love to see Mini/BMW get into the Scooter game! Bring it on! Gas or Electric, if it has some of the design features that the C1 had back in the day, it would be a home run! I think keeping the price point reasonable for what it is would be very important.
Looks great, keep it coming!</p>
<p>But the C1 was a business failure… And I agree, that the price point, totally undscosed now, will be the deal maker or breaker.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>I’m guessing it’s gonna be a reskin of the Aeolus E500-Scooter. You can Google it to read all about the specs.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>Making it is one thing. Bringing it to the States is a bigger concern for me. I’m still waiting on the Cooper Bicycle to make it to my local dealership:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cooperbikes.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.cooperbikes.com/</a></p>
<p>probably european sales only as it will not meet the electrical power consumption levels for california and new york. further as the primary power source is made through a mnanufacturing process and not grown organically the above states will deny licensing.</p>
<p>Thus like our mini diesl cousin in europe mini and bmw will refuse to sell it because the above states are not included.</p>
<p>What? Far as I can tell from searching the CA DMV site, electric scooters are legal on the streets. There is no statement about manufacture of electric scooters that I could find.</p>
<p>Matt</p>