Paris Auto Show: Scooters & a Rally Car?
(Updated with new photo) That’s what it seems MINI has in store for us at the Paris show later this month. The image above is the latest that has slipped out and gives us the best glimpse yet of the all electric MINI scooter concept that is seriously being considered for production.
As we’ve previously reported 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.
Alongside the three scooter concepts will be the first public unveiling of the MINI WRC Countryman. The show starts October 2nd but press days begin next Wednesday the 29th of September. Look for a full gallery of all concepts on MF around that time.
(top image courtesy of biglobgg)
<p>It sort of makes sense, I’d like to see a MINI scooter.</p>
<p>And I really hope that WRC Countryman makes an appearance at the NAIAS.</p>
<p>So do we think the scooter concept is being unveiled at MINIs special event in London on Thursday night? Or maybe the WRC car..</p>
<p>Depending on price, count me in. The timing is great. I was just considering a classic Vespa with sidecar: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160473136836" rel="nofollow ugc">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160473136836</a></p>
<p>Funny, the toffee seat looks great with the green, but its not an option for the MCS on the configurator? Go figure?</p>
<p>I want a MINI Scooter!!!</p>
<p>I’m with Matthew, count me in if the price is right! I’ve been thinking of getting a scooter for short trips here in San Francisco. The whole city is only 7 miles square after all. My only concern would be wether or or not it had enough power to get two adults up some of these hills!!!</p>
<p>ps. MINI, if you’re looking for a daily test-driver to push one of these to the limits in an Urban setting, feel free to contact me any time :)</p>
<p>This looks like a great idea. BMW can extend the reach of their motorcycle division via the Mini Brand, and its another place where they can apply the tech they are developing for electric drivetrains.</p>
<p>That’s at least 8 kinds of ugly….</p>
<p>It looks hot!</p>
<p>Yep, I’d have a MINI Scooter. All I need now is a hundred-foot extension cable to reach my flat…</p>
<p>I like the idea of a MINI scooter. I even like the overall design, with the exception being the mirrors. Yes, I realize they tried to emulate the mirror design that is on our beloved cars, but I feel they look a bit too large and massive, for a small scooter. To me, it looks like they should be shrunk down another 15%.</p>
<p>More photos here: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigblogg/sets/72157625009381126/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigblogg/sets/72157625009381126/</a></p>
<p>Top notch. Classic and modern.</p>
<p>I like the idea of an electric Mini scooter but the photo of the blue and white model looks a little “Lego-y” to me. It’ll be interesting to see what they reveal at the Paris Auto Show.</p>
<p>Is there any indication if this will be offered in the states?</p>
<p>+1</p>
<p>The concept drawings look good while the Blue and White looks too busy.</p>
<p>There are a handful of very cool things happening in this scooter concept. First off, it appears to have hub motors both front and back. The handling, regenerative braking, and torque you’d get from this setup would be fantastic. Secondly, the new photo reveals something about the design language that wasn’t obvious from the sketches. Where most modern “cute” scooter designs take their design cues from classic Vespa small frame models like the 90 and the Allstate, this longer, sort of ice chest rear section is pure classic Lambretta — making this scooter design something both classic and unique in the scooter world. The photo also shows that they’re paying considerable homage not only to the Lammy, but to the british mod fashion movement of the ’60s it is often so closely associated with. The white and blue, the extra lights up front, the RAF roundels, and even the placement and proportion of the turn signals all pay homage to britain’s mod scooter tradition of hyper-accessorization with mirrors, lights, horns and other add-ons. I for one can’t wait to see the full reveal.</p>
<p>Looks cool but electric?? A scooter needs to have enough power to avoid traffic.</p>
p>@MINIme</p
<p>Being electric will give it much more torque than a comparatively sized scooter motor.</p>
<p>So I guess a Scooter rack for the MINI E will be an option, I bet MINI FINI will do something for it.</p>
<p>It would be nice if the MINI E could charge both.</p>
<p>Ohh!!! I’d love one as well, it’d be great for campus traffic. Hopefully there will be an S or a JCW scooter to match my r56. lawlz</p>
<p>Plus 1 for the Scooter Rack idea! A good trailer hitch for the Mini as a Factory Option is a must that Mini has intentionally left out.</p>
<p>A rear rack mount for a scooter like this would be awesome indeed, but keep in mind that especially with batteries onboard, this bike would weigh at least 350 lbs in the real world. That may exceed what can be realistically carried off the rear bumper of a MINI hatch. The Countryman, on the other hand…</p>
<p>And to second what Brian said, the electric drive would mean precisely want MINIme is after: gobs of acceleration thanks to the torque of up to two electric motors onboard.</p>
<p>With the BMW C5 motorbike set to return to market soon as an all-electric machine, it’s no big surprise that they might trickle down some of that technology to scooters via MINI.</p>
<p>Performance and style aside, I’m particularly drawn to the idea of a scooter with all of about 4 moving parts. No oil changes. No CVT belts to break. No roller weights to change. Sign me up.</p>
<p>Excellent around town vehicle for those daily short trips. Added bonus of a pit bike for track days. Just one more thing to add to the track trailer.</p>
<p>StephenS Sep 22nd, 2010 Link
Plus 1 for the Scooter Rack idea! A good trailer hitch for the Mini as a Factory Option is a must that Mini has intentionally left out.</p>
<p>Nathaniel Salzman Sep 22nd, 2010 Link
A rear rack mount for a scooter like this would be awesome indeed, but keep in mind that especially with batteries onboard, this bike would weigh at least 350 lbs in the real world. That may exceed what can be realistically carried off the rear bumper of a MINI hatch. The Countryman, on the other hand…</p>
<p>And to second what Brian said, the electric drive would mean precisely want MINIme is after: gobs of acceleration thanks to the torque of up to two electric motors onboard.</p>
<p>With the BMW C5 motorbike set to return to market soon as an all-electric machine, it’s no big surprise that they might trickle down some of that technology to scooters via MINI.</p>
<p>Performance and style aside, I’m particularly drawn to the idea of a scooter with all of about 4 moving parts. No oil changes. No CVT belts to break. No roller weights to change. Sign me up.</p>
<p>Alpinamike…
Yea I know it would work/ my additional idea ( now I am sure they will copy this too) is to match the plug in port like the rear tail light hookup with a trailer to charge the bike. Parrell charge for the MINI E -> to the MINI E Scooter or ScootEr / EScooter, what ever they call it. I would do a large hitch maybe make it pivot on the tow link( but I would like to see the real wieght) because the tow tongue could maybe hold 200 pounds thus no trailer ( like a mountain bike MINI FINI Hitch).</p>
<p>If this all works you could drive your MINI, with port being a option ( then Non MINI E); drive your MINI charge your scooter, park MINI, continue with scooter , then return and hook back up.</p>