Mini moves on to two wheels

The Mini Scooter E Concept runs on a lithium-ion battery stored under the seat. Photo / Supplied

Mini has borrowed from the "mods and rockers" era of 50 years ago with its Scooter E concept, a two-wheeler complete with scaled-down versions of the classic Mini design cues, including the large iconic speedometer, oval wing mirrors and squared-off rear lights.

The use of chrome and other materials is also designed to make the plug-in electric scooter instantly recognisable as a part of the Mini family.

The BMW-owned carmaker showed off two Scooter E models at the opening of the Paris Motor Show this week, almost 10 years to the day since the new Mini car was first unveiled at the Paris show. A third Scooter E was unveiled in London by model Agyness Deyn.

There was a two-seater with a similar paint scheme to the Mini E electric car, and two versions of a single-seat bike finished in British Racing Green and silver, and a Lambretta-esque livery inspired by the mod era.

The drivetrain is also based on that of the Mini E: a single electric motor is integrated into the rear wheel hub, and power comes from a compact lithium-ion battery stored under the seat. The battery can be charged from any standard A/C power outlet, via a retractable cable at the back of the scooter.

Clever features include the use of a smartphone as the bike's key, instrumentation, navigation, audio and telephone needs. All the user does is clip the phone into the bike and it's ready to go. The phone can also be equipped with a special Google Maps view that indicates the current position of other Mini scooters in the immediate vicinity.

As well as optional apps, the E Scooter features an improvised version of the modular Centre Rail, a clip-on mechanism which appears on the Countryman, the new crossover/SUV from Mini.

Riders can personalise their bikes with a host of official Mini options, including clip-on flasks, umbrellas, helmet holders and cups.

BMW Group design chief Adrian van Hooydonk says Scooter E Concept represents an electric vision of the future as urban mobility takes a new direction. "We are delighted to pay homage to our British heritage while also marking a new era for Mini," he said. "The Scooter E Concept is true to our brand values and builds further on these characteristics by combining driving pleasure with sustainable technology."

While Mini is aiming the Scooter E concept at the young and restless, it is targeting an unhip crowd with the Countryman: families. The not-so-mini Mini will have four doors and be the brand's biggest ever model.

"Our main aim is to unlock a wholly new target audience," Mini product manager Hans-Joachim Leonhardt said.

The new Countryman is part of a revamp of the entire portfolio of the Mini brand, which BMW restarted in 2001 after selling the unprofitable MG Rover Group. The company has sold 1.7 million Minis since then.

The Countryman, which features expanded leg and storage room in the back, went on sale last week in Europe, starting at €20,200 ($37,000). BMW hopes it will eventually make up 20 per cent of Mini sales.

It is named after a Mini station wagon from the early 1960s, and will compete in New Zealand with the Kia Soul wagon, Skoda Yeti and Nissan Qashqai, among others.

BMW bought Mini's owner, Rover, in 1994 for €1.2 billion and ended up losing €6 billion on the unit in the next six years.

The results sparked the ouster of then-chief executive Bernd Pischetsrieder. BMW kept the rights to Mini when it sold Rover in 2000 and revived the 51-year-old nameplate a year later.