An electric Mini is nothing new – it has been in the showrooms since February. But an electric Mini of the classic variety? It’s the latest development in what appears to be the booming business of electrifying classic cars which in recent months has seen machines from MGB to AC Cobra get a zero-emissions engine transplant.
This kit can turn a Mini into an electric classic | FOS Future Lab
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Now the Issigonis Mini is being offered the same treatment with an electric drivetrain that replaces the A-series under the bonnet and which, says the firm behind it, requires no other modifications to the car. It’s all the idea of Swindon Powertrain, supplier of engines to BTTC racecars and also recently diversified into electric bikes. And now electric cars.
“We’ve registered over 500 requests for more information since it launched,” says the engine specialist’s commercial director Gerry Hughes. “We have tried to make our kits as easy to use as possible, re-engineering and re-designing the package so that it fits perfectly in a classic Mini.”
Like a “crate” engine for zero-emissions world, the motor comes mounted to an original Mini front subframe with brackets specifically designed for the installation. It also includes purpose designed inner CV joint housings that allow the fitment of standard Mini driveshaft assemblies. The kit, called HPD E powertrain, includes a standard differential but a limited slip diff is optional. The motor and assembly weighs 70kg and delivers 107PS (80kW) with 136Nm of torque.
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Excluding fitting, the motor kit costs from £8,850 plus VAT. But, as they say, batteries are extra. Being so small and light anyway, the Mini doesn’t need many and the battery pack that Swindon Powertrain has developed to slot in under the bonnet is just 12kWh – less than half the battery capacity of the far larger and heavier new Mini Electric. There is no word on range or indeed performance.
Swindon Powertrain maintains the conversion is suitable for classic car enthusiasts and that they can supply all the other parts needed, such as the inverter, onboard charger, DC-DC converter, speed sensor kit and cooling system pump.
Despite an attractive headline price, a shock could be in store over the actual cost of converting your Mini to electric power. The battery packs costs £16,000, the inverter £3,860 and charger £1,950. Including VAT, you could be looking at a bill for £36,792. Plus the cost of your Mini and what it costs to fit.
Old and new Minis are chalk and cheese, but when you can buy a new Mini Electric for around £25,000, the price of converting a classic model seems anything but mini…
Welcome to FOS Future Lab where we report on the latest visions of future technology. We'll be boldly covering flying cars, hoverboards, jetpacks and spaceships with plenty of down to earth topics in between.
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