BMW debuted an electric version of the classic Mini right before the New York Auto Show
The future and the past are converging at the 2018 New York Auto Show.
BMW has unveiled its third concept electric Mini vehicle, this one dubbed "the classic Mini Electric." The car is exactly what it sounds like: The company took an old version of the Mini and outfitted it with an all-electric drivetrain.
The announcement is a natural extension of BMW's ongoing efforts to electrify many of its new concept and production cars. BMW's earlier electric vehicles -- such as the Mini E -- have been based heavily on the Mini's tiny size and excellent performance.
BMW appears to have removed the Mini badge you know and love from the hood of the car, and replaced it with the same Mini Electric logo that adorns the company's EV Concept Car. The vehicle itself looks like a cross between an electric plug and an eagle's head. There's also an interesting charging port included on the passenger's side.
Don't get too excited for this vehicle just yet: The car is only a concept for now, so you can't actually buy it. Still, it's an interesting way to get customers excited about electric cars. Mini didn't unveil any electric cars at the New York Auto Show itself, while booths of its competitors, including Toyota, Jaguar, and Honda, were peppered with flashy, tech-savvy hybrid vehicles.
Mini's re-imagined car is a signal to consumers: Don't forget about us. We're still here. And the best part is its electric vehicles will soon be available for purchase. Mini's first all-electric model is coming in 2019, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the classic Mini.
In the meantime, electric-car enthusiasts who just can't wait should check out the 2019 Mini Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 Hybrid, which was on display at the show and also drew much attention. The Countryman is the most spacious Mini ever, sporting both a TwinPower Turbo engine and an electric motor. Iconic, its most expensive trim at $46,900, features a touchscreen navigation package including Apple CarPlay.
We can't say the classic Mini Electric is the flashiest or most exciting announcement from the New York Auto Show, but it does give us hope that we may one day be able to watch yet another remake of the movie The Italian Job.
Topics Electric Vehicles Innovations
Monica wrote for Mashable's Tech section with a focus on retail, internet of things, and the intersections of technology and social justice. She holds a degree in creative writing from Brown University, and has previously written for Dow Jones Media, the New York Post, Yahoo Finance, and others. In her free time, she can be found attempting to cook Asian food, buying board games, and looking for new hobbies.
