MINI's new safety car previews its upcoming electric JCW models
30 Mar 2021: MINI's new safety car previews its upcoming electric JCW models
MINI has combined its "electrified future with the rich racing history of John Cooper Works (JCW)," to create a one-off Electric Pacesetter.
It is based on the Cooper SE model and shall be used as a safety car in the 2021 Formula E championship.
The four-wheeler has a sporty look, a minimalist cabin, and runs on a 184hp, all-electric powertrain.
Here are more details.
Fact: 'John Cooper Works and electrification are a good fit'
Describing the model's potential to influence upcoming production cars, the boss of MINI, Bernd Körber said that the Electric Pacesetter shows that "the message is clear: electrification and John Cooper Works are a good fit."
Exteriors: The car runs on 18-inch wheels
The MINI Electric Pacesetter sports a JCW GP-inspired look, featuring a muscular bonnet, a blacked-out grille, an aerodynamic front splitter, and oval-shaped headlights.
It is flanked by prominent air scoops, blacked-out B-pillars, ORVMs, and 18-inch sports alloy wheels with a dual-tone finish.
A large wing, a window wiper, and vertically-positioned taillights are available on the rear end.
Interiors: The vehicle has a carbon fiber steering wheel
The MINI Electric Pacesetter has a 2-seater cabin, featuring a steering wheel and a center console made of carbon fiber, a full roll-cage, and six-point harnesses.
The vehicle is 130kg lighter than the road-focused version. This has been achieved by removing the rear seats, the internal door handles, as well as the infotainment system.
The hatchback is also equipped with multiple airbags.
Performance: It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds
The MINI Electric Pacesetter draws power from a Cooper SE-sourced powertrain that generates 184hp of power and 270Nm of torque. The car can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
It has a race-specific suspension setup with 3-way-adjustable coilovers, new control arm mounts, as well as John Cooper Works GP's 4-piston brake calipers for better performance.
Fact: MINI Electric Pacesetter will hit the tracks on April 10
The MINI Electric Pacesetter will debut on the race track in Rome on April 10. Formula E safety car driver Bruno Correia will drive the four-wheeler and he says that it is "very fun to drive" and "feels like karting."
