The distinctive fun of driving a MINI combined with an exhaust outlet of zero emissions, will soon become a reality with the introduction of the first hybrid model plug-in the Premium brand british. The development process of this vehicle is almost finished. Account with a combustion engine and an electric motor which, for the first time in a MINI-production, allows the propulsion is exclusively electric. With this begins a new phase for MINI, and it offers a glimpse into the future full of enthusiasm for the customers, MINI and for those drivers who already know the thrill of a hybrid.
Sebastian Mackensen, head of the MINI brand, and Peter Wolf, head of the MINI models, offered their insight on this new test vehicle that is almost out of production, and explained the way in which it maintains the feeling of go-kart in the mood for true a MINI for a test drive of this model.
"With this model we want to convince customers of MINI of the benefits of driving a hybrid," said Mackensen, "and impress all those who already have the experience of driving a hybrid with the unique feeling that the MINI offers the feeling of go-kart". The key to this achievement lies in the intelligent handling of energy that is used to control the way in which they operate together, the combustion engine and the electric motor. For this reason, the first hybrid model plug-in MINI not only focuses on efficiency, but is also adamant in making driving fun.
At first glance, one would not recognize the self-test as a hybrid model. And that is not because you used a picture of camouflage. The charging connector to the high-voltage battery is integrated discreetly on the side left. In the same way, all seems to be well-known in the cabin. The on/off button in the center of the board shines in yellow instead of red. As is usual, only pressing the power button on the vehicle.
however, this vehicle remains in silence now that the hybrid model will always turn on in electric mode. The tachometer on the instrument panel, the steering column was replaced with a screen to display the energy. Worth keeping watched this screen for the first few miles because it informs the driver about the energy reserves of the electric motor before you turn on the combustion engine. The exact moment that you turn on the combustion engine varies, depending on the vehicle speed and the intensity with which the driver operates the accelerator pedal.
"After a short period, the driver will be able to have the instinct for it", promises Wolf. And this new driving experience promises a lot of fun. The MINI hybrid uses the full torque of the electric motor that is available from that is stopped, which allows to achieve the maximum acceleration. Even after leaving the slow pace of the town, this vehicle keeps its zero emissions at highway speeds. The high-voltage battery under the rear seats provides power to an electrical conduction durable. Mode default AUTO eDRIVE allows you to reach speeds up to 80 km/h, in the meantime, with the MAX mode eDRIVE, it is possible to reach speeds of up to 125 km/h. To Mackensen, this is a question of character:
"In a hybrid model of MINI, the electrical conduction must also be a stimulating experience. This means that the driving exclusively electric is not limited to speeds of 30 or 40 km/h, but at speeds beyond that of city traffic".
When testing the vehicle, the same Mackensen takes the car to its rhythms and demonstrates that you need to depress the accelerator pedal very firmly to activate the second power source.
Then, begin to move things in truth. With the power of the combined output of both propulsion systems, the first hybrid vehicle of MINI shows the execution unmatched acceleration when compared with their siblings that only have combustion engine.
however, the handling characteristics of a go-kart in MINI consist of something more than just fast acceleration. Above all, this MINI hybrid is to demonstrate how accurate it is when cornering on winding roads and thrilling. That is where the hybrid concept of a MINI-play your best card. "In what concerns the chassis and the suspension, nothing changes with respect to the variants of models a conventional transmission," says Wolf, "and the team benefits a lot with the hybrid concept". Thanks to the components eDrive, which are placed very low in the rear, the center of gravity of the car decreases and the weight is balanced evenly between the front and rear axles, which is ideal to achieve an even greater level of the legendary agility MINI.
The hybrid concept provides another benefit: the electric motor transmits its power to the rear wheels, the combustion engine to the front wheels. As the intelligent handling of energy is linked to the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), traction and transmission stability are optimized through the gear train. "At the time that there is some risk of patinarse the handle, it activates the second management unit to provide additional traction when you start or ensure a high level of precision in the steering when cornering," explains Wolf.
The intelligent power management offers an opportunity for both energy sources work together in an effective way. When driving on a highway, Mackensen activates a third mode with the switch lever eDrive: SAVE BATTERY. In this mode, the combustion engine drives the car while the high-voltage battery can hold charge at a constant level or increase the load via a generator. The long driving in the SAVE mode BATTERY allows the generation of sufficient energy for a driving exclusively electric later.
After driving in SAVE mode BATTERY, the MINI returns to the city in silence at the end of the test drive. The status screen in the cab, reminding the driver that the battery should be recharged by means of a Wallbox or a power plug home. The resupply of fuel is not needed yet because the hybrid model MINI only takes a small sip of the fuel tank. It even has a new dimension of MINIMALISM.
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