17 October 2016

PHEV Mini 'close to reality'

BMW's Mini brand is close to completing the brand's first hybrid model, a plug-in hybrid which the company claims will offer better acceleration than its traditional engines, writes Brian Byrne.

The car will offer electric-only drive of up to 80km/h in an auto mode or 130km/h in an 'max' e-mode. A 'Save Battery' mode will operate the car with its standard engine, allowing the battery to be recharged while travelling to an urban destination where the electric mode would be more appropriate.

The battery for the powertrain is located under the rear seats, and the PHEV Mini has a significantly lower centre of gravity, with a 50:50 weight balance front and rear.

A launch date has not been revealed, but the company says the variant 'will soon be a reality'.