Comments on: The MINI E (Official BMW AG Press Release)

By: Los coches eléctricos que vienen (Tercera Parte) | QueInventenEllos

Los coches eléctricos que vienen (Tercera Parte) | QueInventenEllos — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:34:55 +0000

[...] Mini E → BimmerFiles [...]

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:55:50 +0000

Thank you for the clarification on the H7 Micheal. Looking forward to seeing how it will work out.

Cheers,

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:50:57 +0000

Mark,

That is a misconception about the H7. In the end the NY/NJ Port Authority had little to do with the issue of the H7 in tunnels etc. Yes the NY Times reported that but they were incorrect. We had Mr. Spira set the record straight as he was one of the people who had the ability to test the car. He told us that it was BMW that clearly stated in the documentation with the car and the overall agreement that the vehicle could not be parked or driven indoors, tunnels and lower levels of bridges also included. The car required a direct path to the sky so it could safely vent the Hydrogen if needed.

I would agree that this MINI-E is looking promising for commuters, much more so than the SMART which is not all that great on fuel 33/41 and lacks room and drive quality.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:16:00 +0000

Sold!

Perfect car to offset my 135i.

I do hope that the pilot program works out. The NJ/NY PA floundered the H7.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:55:18 +0000

I’d take one. Should still be pretty fun to drive. Takes a 500 lb or so weight hit, but still has almost the same power to weight ratio as a Cooper S. Weight might hurt the handling a little, but probably not too bad. With the batteries behind the driver, it sounds like the weight distribution is more even.

By: illegalprelude

illegalprelude — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:53:45 +0000

I think the MINI makes a perfect car for BMW to make a Electric or Hybrid version, but! they have to keep the car fun. It dosent need to be fast (as the MINI Cooper (not S) is not really fast) but it needs to have the MINI go-cart feel

By: JonPD

JonPD — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:07:54 +0000

Ditto on that Michael.

A very interesting development. It would be interesting to see who/if they partnered up with for this development.

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:46:54 +0000

It's interesting to see that BMW is embracing Lithium Ion power. This is a potent concept, if they can manage these thoroughbred high power density cells. The high density energy makes them skittish, and they need to ensure that thermal runaways don't end up in big fireballs. Plus, they are not so forgiving outside the top and bottom voltage bans they need to operate within. The management of all that takes a top tier group to deliver this in cars for the unwashed.

Long before these cells entered mainstream, our company was designing high performance electric radio controlled helicopters that took the world speed record away from the Russians, and continue to this day to win the unlimited drag races at IRCHA in the US.. taking on all comers, inculding the best nitro fuel competition. So it works, for sure.

Combined with high voltage and lower amperage, the concept has legs. very interesting to watch this evolve.

I think BMW has the skillset to pull this off, and with the nano plate technology evolving, this will happen, IMO.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:11:44 +0000

I find it interesting that the drive train is installed in Munich... I wonder who they are outsourcing the technology from? Tesla? LOL!

I wonder how you get one of these leases Looks like they will be in California and NY, i would rock one of these for my commute...