Has anyone heard if Mini plans to offer any type of performance model?? S, JCW something a bit faster than the current offering?

 

Yes, but not in the near future.

For clarity the current EV MINI is a Cooper S model. They benchmarked its performance against the current F56 MCS. This is why the model name is "SE" and there is a silly fake hood scoop on it.

I don't think it's worth making a JCW with the i3 drivetrain, but eventually yes, it's happening.

 

That would be cool. I've driven a Tesla Model 3 Performance and the acceleration is off the charts.

 

So the tension is all about where BMW decides to focus performance vs. practicality.

Tesla makes really, really, (as they say in Teslaspeak "ludicrous") fast EV's. BMW has the tech and design to blow Tesla away, if they can make the business case. So will it be $100K electric Bimmers that get all the juice or will a little extra amperage kick trickle down to MINI???? Time will tell.

The MINI electric project, thus far, has been more about a practical, fun, town MINI. No giant battery capacity, yet a nice initial power surge which levels off quickly to conserve limited available wattage.

Now, of course, with production stopped, the global economy teetering, it is impossible to know what plans will advance and what plans will be shelved.

Congratulations to all early adopters. Keep us posted!!

 

Have they ever limited themselves to just one in the past? ;]

 

True that

 

How much range would you willingly sacrifice or how much extra weight would you accept (along with losing the rear seats and boot) to support a more powerful motor? Would you happily pony up Tesla bucks for a 2-ton JCW MINI Electric or one with 55-miles of range?

 

I'd rather see a range boost than more acceleration. People with longer daily commutes put the Mini EV at a distinct disadvantage vs. other EV's, especially if one like to use AC/Heat and listen to the radio (or needs lights and wipers) on their drives.

 

If your desire is extended range, the questions are how much performance would you willingly sacrifice or how much extra battery weight would you accept (along with losing the rear seats and boot)?

MINI could stick an old Nissan Leaf motor under the hood and the range would go up but the car wouldn't be as much fun to drive. I firmly believe this MINI Electric has hit the sweet-spot in the weight vs. quickness+handling graph--based on the currently available batteries. I'm probably an outlier, but when improved batteries are available, I'd choose reducing this MINI's weight rather than increasing its range. I know that wouldn't increase practicality, but it would certainly increase fun.

I jokingly tell people to forget this MINI Electric and get a Chevy Bolt if their grandkids live more than 100 miles away (BTW, I'm 70 and used to drive a 1968 Morris Mini Moke).

 

Dunno if you can equate weight with performance the same way we do with ICE cars. There are some pretty heavy cars turning 0-60 times that are in supercar territory. I think Mini could increase range, and still maintain decent performance. Compared to ICE car performance most every EV puts a smile on the drivers face w/ the instant torque.

 

The day MINI focuses on 0-60 times instead of driving enjoyment is they day I stop loving MINI. Just saying, weight is always the enemy of cornering speed and cornering speed is why I drive MINIs over a slew of "better" options.

Having only driven the SE on the test drive I think weight and performance are in a sweet spot, but I wouldn't mind an extra 50 miles down the road if the weight can stay the same (via new battery tech.)

 

As is, that (and 1/4 mile times) is what is normally reported by car mag and manufacturers as a basis to judge a car's performance. Yes Skid pad too, but not always. I'd wager with more "grunt" and a very low center of gravity, an EV Mini would match up well vs. the I.C.E. version, thus keeping the fun to drive factor in place..

 

MINI could call it "plaid" speed, and already has the mirror covers.

 

I found that the "PLAID" license plate was available in my state and considered taking it for my MINI Cooper SE just to tweak the Tesla crowd. Chose "ELEKTRO" instead.

 

at least the Cooper S E has the BMW i3 "S" motor.

 

Do we know which brake setup the Cooper S E has? Base or Cooper S?

 

Not a clue but the regenerative braking adds a nice helping hand, I wouldn't be shocked if its the base due to this.

 

I've seen a few articles recently about Mini transitioning the JCW brand to EVs, so maybe we'll see something wild in a few years. Personally I'd love to see an AWD 2-door JCW hatch with similar performance to the GP (but with less flash, please).

http://www.motoringfile.com/2020/10/...ormance-brand/

 

Motoring File has an exclusive article showing an electric JCW. Will it have a pile of batteries replacing the rear seats? Will it have a second motor replacing the boot? Will it go further than 110 EPA miles on a charge? Will it have sufficient cooling to handle track duty without reducing the power after a hard lap or two (as does the SE)? Will it weigh more than a Tesla Model 3?

 

MotoringFile has spotted a thinly disguised electric Mini GP3 in England. Check it out on their website. To be released in 2022 most likely.

 

Will it have a pile of batteries replacing the rear seats? Will it have a second motor replacing the boot? Will it go further than 110 EPA miles on a charge? Will it have sufficient cooling to handle track duty without reducing the power after a hard lap or two (as does the SE)? Will it weigh more than a Tesla Model 3? Will it cost more than a Tesla S?

 

Front uses Base Mini Cooper brakes and rear uses BMW i3 brakes.
The rear brakes are larger than both Cooper base or Cooper S and are probably used more often for brake vectoring for traction control.