Category: News

New Electric MINIs

We all remember the MINI -E from a few years ago. We also know that BMW has put those MINIs back into service at the 2012 Olympics as part of their automotive partnership with the Olympics. What we haven’t seen is the newest electic MINI being put into service at the Olympic games.

Today, BMW is proud to introduce another critical electric vehicle to the Olympic and Paralympic fleet: the Mini MINI. This specially developed and designed radio controlled electric car will be used on the field of play in the Olympic Stadium to ferry javelins, discuses, hammers and shots back from the field to the throwing area, saving valuable time during competition.

That’s right. The Mini MINI. More specifically, R/C MINIs that will be used, as mentioned above, to shuttle Track & Field equipment from the field to the training area. The fleet of 3 Mini MINIs are 1/4 scale, feature a 10HP motor, full Olympic livery, dual vented disc brakes, heavy duty shocks and grass tires. Each weighs 25kg and with the removable sunroof is capable of carrying a javelin, shot or discus. Range is 100 meters and they can run for 35 minutes with an 85 minute recharge time.

Full press release and features after the jump. Have to wonder how to get ahold of one of these MINIs! Continue reading “New Electric MINIs”

Olympic Special Edition MINIs

If you have a keen eye, you might have noticed the Chili Red MINI Cooper during the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. And, if you were watching in HD, you might have noticed a few details on that MINI. I noticed side scuttles and took to Twitter to ask about them. The answer I got this week from MINI UK was this MINI.

Available as a Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD, this model features special items such as wheels, trim and interior bits. It would appear that this version is also only available in the UK as you would expect. Full details and pricing available at MINI.co.uk.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for some of the pieces to be available as stand alone accessories (like the side scuttles). If we find them, we’ll let you know. If you have had luck finding any of these pieces sound off in the comments below!

Update: Mr. MINI Parts from MINI of Ontario tells me that the scuttles can be ordered for $65 each! Give him a call at (866) 783-0075 to get a set for your R5X MINI!