VIDEO: All-Electric MINI 'E' Laps the Nurburgring Circuit in Under 10 Minutes

A lightly modified race-spec version of the all-electric MINI 'E' completed a lap of the legendary 20.8 km-long "Green Hell" in a time of 09:51.45 minutes recording a top speed of 187 km/h or 116mph, the BMW Group announced today. At the wheel of the electric racer for the hot lap was former DTM racing driver Thomas Jäger from Munich.

It goes without saying that the folks from the BMW Group didn't bring the MINI E to the notorious Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit to break any records but to show that their all-electric test vehicle can manage a respectable lap time on the 'Ring.

"The aim of this unique undertaking was to provide an impressive showcase of the great potential of the MINI E and its environment-friendly drive concept," said BMW Group's Peter Krams, who led the project.

Dubbed the "MINI E Race", the electric hatchback was fitted with a special lightweight body and a roll cage, while other components, such as the suspension, brakes and tires, were race specification.

Other than that, the car shares the same 150 kW/204 hp electric motor, supplied with energy from 5,088 lithium-ion battery cells, with the standard MINI E, while power from the electric motor is sent to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox with a lengthened gear ratio.

Model-specific conversions

Interior: Recaro Pro Racer (HANS) CFRP seat, 6-way safety harness (3-inch), suede leather steering wheel 320 mm diameter

Roll cage: Bolt construction (lightweight) CrMo4, approx. 35 kg incl. mounting materials

Transmission: Mechanical multi-plate limited-slip differential with 40°/50° ramp breakover angle, 55 Nm preload

Engine: Adjusted engine management settings

Suspension: KW Variant 3 coilover suspension, tuned to the higher axle loads of the MINI E Race with modified damping characteristics and adjusted springs

Exterior: Diffusers, rear wing, CFRP body parts

Safety: Integration of special race ABS Differentiated main switch concept

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MINI Beachcomber Concept Live from the Detroit Auto Show

BMW Group's MINI brand brought along a new concept, or rather a new variant of the concept model that previews its forthcoming Crossover model, to the Detroit motor show. The all-wheel drive, open-body Beachcomber study was designed to capture the spirit of the original Mini Moke of the 1960s.

The Beachcomber gets a new all-wheel drive system called ALL4, as well as an elevated seating position with the British brand supporting that it can be driven without doors and a conventional roof. However, just to be on the safe side -in theory of course- it comes with a soft top and lightweight doors made out of plastic material.

The concept model is supposed to provide us with new clues about the MINI Crossover will be available in Europe later this year and in the US in early 2011. The Crossover will be the first production MINI to have all-wheel-drive, four doors, four full-size seats and measure around four meters in length.

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MINI Beachcomber 4x4 Concept Heads to Detroit Auto Show [New Photos Added]

Less than a year before the launch of MINI's new five-door crossover model in autumn 2010, the BMW Group-owned brand will display another take on the SUV theme with the Beachcomber Concept at the Detroit motor show in January 2010.

The door-less concept study is based on the firm's crossover model and according to MINI, "it projects the principle of the 1960's Mini Moke into the 21st century." While the Beachcomber Concept has very few -if any- chances to enter production, it's styling is supposed to hint at what MINI's crossover model will look like.

Measuring approximately four meters or about 157-inches in length, the Beachcomber Concept gets an open roof that can be covered with either a hardtop or a soft top that fold up into a compact unit.

As a further option for protection in bad weather, MINI says that there are fully functional doors made out of extra-light plastic material that connect to the A- and C-pillars.

Inside, the concept model's four independent seats are divided by a "multifunction fastening rail" borrowed from the MINI Crossover Concept.

Extending from the instrument panel all the way to the luggage compartment, the rail allows the driver and passengers to place / fasten individual elements and components such as external music players, armrests for the front and rear seats, storage boxes, shelves and holders of all sorts.

The British firm did not disclose any technical details about the concept other than the fact that it is equipped with the company's so-called "ALL4" all-wheel drive system.

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