The Best MINI We Drove All Year Isn’t New But It is an Electric Mini

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2022 wasn’t full off new metal for MINI. The refreshed hatch and Countryman debuted in 2020-2021 and the Clubman before that. The electric hatch is a known commodity and the hybrid Countryman is getting a bit long in the tooth. Yes MINI is continually bringing out great looking special editions but in terms of something truly new, there isn’t much. Unless you look beyond the BMW MINI brand. Enter the MINI Recharged.

We had a chance to drive the an early model from the MINI Recharged program while attending the Goodwood Revival earlier this year and saw a glimpse of the future in the past. But perhaps more interesting it felt spot-on to the original concept of the brand what exactly the type of thinking that needs to drive it in the future.

What is the MINI Recharged?

MINI RECHARGED is MINI’s official answer for those wanting to convert their classic Minis to electric and we’ve driven it! But does it still feel like a Mini? The early answer is a resounding yes.

In many ways the classic Mini was a revolution in mobility not that different than a modern electric car. It was a car that rethought everything and in the process introduced new and novel ideas to the automotive world. And they stuck, influencing almost every small to mid-size car in the decades that followed. But can it still be relevant today?

Recharged Heritage Limited (MINI’s exclusive partner for the program)
has engineered the car to maintain the same weight and weight distribution as the original. Add to that immediate torque (making it feel even more point and shoot) and you have a classic Mini that both drives like a classic but feels even more responsive.

And this is just the start. As the folks at Recharged Heritage Limited explained to us, making it even faster is just a couple of software settings. However they found quickly is that traction is the limiting factor as you start to turn up the torque to 100%.

Perhaps the most surprising thing is just how normal it all felt. The only interior giveaway is the modified shifter and vintage looking range gauge/ Otherwise you are in a classic Mini.

Recharged Heritage Limited offers the driver the choice between two driving modes: Pure Performance and Sport. In Pure Performance Mode, their electric drive achieves 56 kW/75 hp of torque of 110 Nm at 2,000 rpm, accelerates from 0 to 62 in 11.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 78mph – equivalent to the Classic Mini 1275 S. 

In sport mode, the drive system is equipped with 72 kW/97 hp and 163 Nm at 2,000 rpm, reaching 0 to 62 in 8.5 seconds and travels at a top speed of 92 mph. Both modes are powered by an 18-kWh lithium-ion battery with a predicted range of 103 miles (WLTP). With a 6.6 kW onboard charger, the battery can be charged in three hours on a 7kW wall-box or nine hours on a standard 3-pin plug house connection.

This is not a roadtrip car but you wouldn’t want it to be. Instead this is the perfect urban vehicle for commutes, errands or that trip into the canyons.

Don’t worry, the final version will have a finished boot.

Three Models and Infinite Customization

There are three models offered; Pure, Sport and Bespoke. And there are three ways to build one. The easiest is to simply convert your current classic Mini. A thorough 100 point health check will be carried out, certifying everything is in perfect order, then you decide specification, before the transformation starts. Costs starts at £42,500.

You can also have MINI Recharged procure a car. You’ll select from the specially selected Minis they have available, or they will find that one. Once the specification is decided we will begin the transformation. Prices start at £60,000.

Finally there’s the fully bespoke model which is a truly one-off creation designed by the owner. Prices are obviously determined by the build.

How Can I Get One?

The 107bhp Classic Mini electric comes with 12kW battery and will cost £10,620 including VAT. However there is more cost associated with the procurement of a clear classic Mini and the actual conversion itself. Prices start from £42,500 for the full conversation.

For the time being it’s only availability is in the UK market. However Recharged Heritage has ambitious to open up shop in the US sometime next year.

Which begs the question – what about the R50/R53 generation of new MINIs? They’re becoming classic cars but they have one Achilles heel – replacement engine parts. In many ways those cars are also an ideal candidate for a similar conversion. We asked that question and stated the case that there might be a market in the US. The team at Recharged Heritage was genuinely interested in the idea, but as with all things, the market will dictate the offering.

So with that said would you be interested in a electric conversion of classic Mini or even an R50 or R53? Let us know below.

Electric MINI Recharged Specifications

Mini PURE

• 19 KWh Battery pack (WLTP range over 100miles exact tba)
• City Mode driving performance (9.5 seconds 0-60mph)
• Regenerative braking
• Direct electric motor drive (0 – 11,000 rpm)
• Retro Gear selector
• New front Sub-frame
• Centralised ‘Smith’ EV analogue instrument gauges
• Immobiliser
• Engine undertray for protection and aerodynamics
• Retro Mini style charging cap
• Conversion information interior floor plate
• PTC HV heater conversion
• Trunk floor board
• Rear trunk ‘Recharged EV’ badging
• DVLA EV registration & Green Band Number plates
• Full conversion service and 12 month warranty
• Car history and EV conversion book

Mini SPORT

• 19 KWh Battery pack (WLTP range over 100miles exact tba)
• City Mode driving performance (9.5 seconds 0-60mph)
• Regenerative braking
• Direct electric motor drive (0 – 11,000 rpm)
• Retro Gear selector
• New front Sub-frame
• Centralised ‘Smith’ EV analogue instrument gauges
• Immobiliser
• Engine undertray for protection and aerodynamics
• Retro Mini style charging cap
• Conversion information interior floor plate
• PTC HV heater conversion
• Trunk floor board
• Rear trunk ‘Recharged EV’ badging
• DVLA EV registration & Green Band Number plates
• Full conversion service and 12 month warranty
• Car history and EV conversion book
• Sports Mode capability (7.8 sec 0-60mph)
• Sports Button – Choose City to Sport modes
• Enhanced Braking System with colour coded alloy calipers
• Sports Suspension 
• Sports leather steering wheel with coloured stitching
• Yokohama tyres
• ‘MINI’ Morse-code start-up sound card (bespoke sound option)
• ‘Recharged’ side graphics

Mini BESPOKE

• 19 KWh Battery pack (WLTP range over 100miles exact tba)
• City Mode driving performance (9.5 seconds 0-60mph)
• Regenerative braking
• Direct electric motor drive (0 – 11,000 rpm)
• Retro Gear selector
• New front Sub-frame
• Centralised ‘Smith’ EV analogue instrument gauges
•  Immobiliser
• Engine undertray for protection and aerodynamics
• Retro Mini style charging cap
• Conversion information interior floor plate
• PTC HV heater conversion
• Trunk floor board
• Rear trunk ‘Recharged EV’ badging
• DVLA EV registration & Green Band Number plates
• Full conversion service and 12 month warranty
• Car history and EV conversion book
• Sports Mode capability (7.8 sec 0-60mph)
• Sports Button – Choose City to Sport modes
• Enhanced Braking System with colour coded alloy calipers
• Sports Suspension 
• Sports leather steering wheel with coloured stitching
• Yokohama tyres
• ‘MINI’ Morse-code start-up sound card (bespoke sound option)
• ‘Recharged’ side graphics

ELECTRIC MOTOR

Motor	72kW (max 14,000 revs/min )
Torque	Bespoke up to 175 NM
Maximum power *	100 BHP (74 kW)
Maximum torque *	175 Nm

BATTERY

Type	Lithium-Ion
Capacity	19 kWh
Front battery split	11.25kWh
Rear battery split	7.75kWh
Recommended operating ambient temp	-5 to 45 Degrees Celsius

GEARBOX

Forward and reverse direct drives

No gear change or clutch required

** Towing in neutral 5mph max on front wheels otherwise wheels to be lifted

PERFORMANCE

Range based on WLTP	103miles (166 Km)
Charging	6.6 kW per hour(liquid cooled with customer optionbi-directional charging adapter)
Charge time with wall box	3 hours
Charge time with home/domestic plug	9 hours
Top Speed	TBC
Acceleration	sub 6 seconds 0-60 mph (0-100 kph) achievable

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Dimensions	As original
Dry weight	As original
Weight distribution	As original
Boot capacity	As original

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