► Electrifying the classic Mini
► Mini eMastered costs £150,000
► Old-school nostalgia meets high tech
Here’s a restomod with a twist: the new Mini eMastered – a classic Mini hatchback that’s been converted to run on electricity. It’s the latest, surprisingly costly creation from David Brown Automotive.
Best known for the earlier Speedback GT and its resurrected petrol Mini, the firm has taken the beloved classic Mini and given it an all-electric twist with some other modern creature comforts.
In a bid to keep the car’s compact size, weight and handling prowess, David Brown opted for a relatively small 18.8kWh battery pack – all that’s needed for such a small car. It claims 0-62mph in just 8.5 seconds.
The compact battery has a range of 110 miles – a handy range if you just want to cruise around London emissions-free. Be aware however of the slow charging rate (just 6.6kWh on a wallbox is your lot; no rapid charging here).
Mini eMastered: how much?
It appears that embarking on the journey of an electric future comes at a price: the Mini eMastered costs a staggering £150,000. That lofty cost may leave you wondering if you’re paying for an electric vehicle or a piece of automotive history. But for those who can’t resist the allure of a classic Mini EV, it may be a small price to pay to make a big, modern statement.
Impressively, David Brown claims the Mini e-Mastered weighs just 640kg, the same weight as the original donor car with its original combustion engine.
Step inside the cabin and you’ll notice a load of interior adjustments too, with modern niceties such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Happily, the instrumentation remains delightfully analogue.
Michelle Gay, sales and marketing director at David Brown, said: ‘There is an inherent challenge in electrifying such an iconic model, to retain the high levels of reliability, performance, and quality that our customers expect.
‘Mini eMastered is a shape that captures hearts and minds, and it is the embodiment of our passion, vision, and commitment to sustainable luxury.’