MINI intends to begin production of the all-electric MINI E in late 2019, though it may not necessarily be the first production BEV from Mini, as there are now hints of a second EV.
The modern MINI has a history of being battery-powered. Back in the summer of 2009, wearing MINI E markings, it was pressed into service as a development platform for BMW’s electric vehicle program, which eventually led, by way of the BMW Active E, to the BMW i3. And though it hasn’t been blessed with an all-electric drivetrain since, that is set to change, come November 2019.
Mini and the X-Raid Team will head to the 2018 Dakar Rally with not one, but two rally racers. The Mini John Cooper Works Rally will return, but the all-new John Cooper Works Buggy also will tear up the terrain.
Why own a classic car when you can own one with a story and some very illustrious former owners? Yes, we know, money. That's like asking "why get a Toyota Corolla when you can have a Mercedes-Benz S-Class?"
It's the biggest vehicle in the family, and in a market increasingly dominated by crossover sales, it's Mini's chance to prove that the brand can adapt to a changing environment.
In an effort to further enhance the driving experience, premium luxury car manufacturer BMW will introduce Amazon's voice-controlled personal assistant, Alexa, in all BMW and Mini models by mid-2018.