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Just a few days ago, Mini teased a wild electric hatchback with safety car-style lights. And just as we expected, it’s the new safety car for Formula E. It’s called the JCW-inspired Mini Electric Pacesetter, which is a long and powerful name for such a small car. It sounds like a marvel, and while it’s not exactly a production car or the direct ancestor of a car to be offered, it does hint that there will be high-performance electric Minis.
Don’t just take it from us, take it from the man in charge of Mini, Bernd Körber: “But it reveals one of the directions we could take with the electrification of the JCW brand. To me, the message is clear: Electrification and John Cooper Works they are a good combination. “
Mini made some major modifications to the Pacesetter to prepare it to lead the race cars. It weighs 287 pounds less than the Mini Cooper SE on which it’s based, giving it a total weight of 2,712 pounds. Much of that weight loss comes from the gutted interior, which now has a welded-in roll cage, racing seats and six-point harnesses. While not particularly related to weight savings, the seats also have stylish 3D printed material for the cushions that can be made in different colors and densities. The electric motor and battery remain unchanged at 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, but the weight loss means it hits 62 mph in 6.7 seconds, a 0.6 improvement over the road car.
Handling and braking are improved with racing coilovers that have compression, rebound, camber and ride height adjustments, as well as four-piston calipers. The Mini John Cooper Works GP four-spoke forged wheels are fitted with 245mm Michelin Pilot Sport tires. The wider track of the wheels required the unique 3D printed carbon fiber fender flares. The rear wing, which is similar but not identical to the GP unit, is also made from 3D printed carbon fiber material. Splitters, side skirts and a large rear diffuser complete the aerodynamic adjustments.
The car will make its racing debut at the Formula E event in Rome on April 10. And we hope we don’t have to wait. too We long for an electric John Cooper Works model to reach the public.
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