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MINI, keen to publicise the all-electric version of its hatchback that is being currently readied for launch, is bringing an all-electric Mini to the New York motor show. Nothing unusual about that, you might think, but this beautifully restored original-shape Mini Cooper, the version designed by Alec Issigonis for the British Motor Corporation (BMC) is just a little different - it's powered by batteries.
MINI says that this new one-off show car is adding an extra chapter to the well-known story of the original Mini, built from 1959 to 2001. "With this unique vehicle, MINI sends out a clear signal demonstrating its commitment to retaining the brand's unmistakable character whilst embracing innovative zero local emission technology" said a spokesperson.
The New York show car is not intended for production, and isn't a rival to the 'reborn' Mini being built by UK company David Brown. It's designed to whip up interest in an all-electric MINI before the launch of the production battery-powered version, which is due in 2019, just in time for the 60th birthday of the original.
The show car gets the classic, indeed iconic, combo of red body with a contrasting white roof and white Cooper bonnet stripes. Look closely and you'll see some modern touches, though, including the integration of the green 'E' badge from the current MINI Countryman E-Hybrid plug-in.
The new all-electric MINI will be drawing on the experiences of that model, and BMW's i3 electric car. And, of course, a MINI was the first all-electric car to be built by the BMW Group, when in 2009 a limited production run of battery-powered MINI hatchbacks was loaned and leased to members of the public so that engineers could gather data on how electric cars would perform and be used in the real world.
And if you think MINIs, especially classic ones, aren't supposed to be electric? Well, think again - after all, the 1959 original was designed and built in response to spiralling fuel costs in the wake of the Suez crisis, so an all-electric Issigonis Mini, built to drum up interest in a new model designed to tackle out current climate and pollution crises, seems entirely appropriate.