BMW to Build 200HP Electric Mini

Oct. 19 - The BMW Group has announced that it will be the world's first manufacturer of premium automobiles to deploy a fleet of some 500 all-electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic. The MINI E will be powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor fed by a high-performancerechargeable lithium-ion battery, transferring its power to the frontwheels via a single-stage helical gearbox nearly without a sound and entirely free of emissions.

Specially engineered for automobile use, thebattery technology will have a range of more than 240 kilometers, or 150miles. The MINI E will initially be made available to select private andcorporate customers as part of a pilot project in the states of California, New York and New Jersey. The possibility of offering the MINI E in Europe is currently being considered. The MINI E will have its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19 and 20, 2008.

By introducing the MINI E, the BMW Group is underscoring the resolve with which it works towards reducing energy consumption and emissions in road traffic. The BMW Group is drawing on its unique technological expertise in the field of drive systems to develop a vehicle concept enabling zero emissions without renouncing the joy of driving. Putting some 500 cars on the road under real daily traffic conditions will make it possible to gain widely applicable hands-on experience.

Production of the approximately 500 cars will take place at the company's Oxford and Munich sites and is scheduled for completion beforethe end of 2008.