BMW has releases the MINI Scooter E Concepts that will officially debut at the Paris Auto Show next week. Created to bring together a youth-oriented lifestyle element and sustainable mobility, the scooters take significant design cues from the MINI lineup of cars while using a lithium-ion battery pack to deliver guilt-free mobility.
Mini's moped is, predictably, an uncannily retro two-wheeler. The step-through design, front fender, and curved body all bear a striking resemblance to vintage Lambretta scooters. Appropriate, we suppose, given the Lambretta like the Mini itself was once tied to the British Mod scene in the 1960s. Minor cues, including the chrome trim on the leg shield, the round projector headlamp, spoiler-like grab handle, and twin taillights do help tie the Scooter E to its four-wheeled Mini siblings.
Design-wise, the Scooter E Concept takes many cues from the MINI paradigm. The large wheels, 11-inch rims, give the scooter a bulky look, while the headlight unit is also sizable and round and the Scooter E features upright taillights similar to the MINI Countryman.
Apart from the compact battery, a charging system and connecting cable are integrated snugly in the rear of the MINI Scooter E Concept. The charging cable has a plug which fits into any conventional domestic socket. This has the major advantage that topping up the energy reserve does not depend on a special charging station being available. Stop-offs for shopping or visiting a café can be used for hassle-free battery recharging.
The three concepts, styled by a small team in Munich, Germany, under the guise of BMW Group design boss Adrian von Hooydonk, will be used to gauge public reaction before Mini decides whether or not to press ahead with a premium-priced electric scooter.
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