Mini Scooter E PHOTOS: Mini's Mod Two-Wheeler Unveiled

Mini has taken the wraps off of three designs for zippy electric scooters, the first two-wheel concept in the carmaker's history.

The zero-emission scooters come in three flavors: there is a two-seater model, a sportier, single-seat version, and a "British racing green," 1960s-inspired scooter based on the design ethos of the Mod era.

According to Wired, "Mini didn't offer any specs beyond saying the E-Scooter is powered by an electric motor and recharged from a wall socket. Instead of a key, the scooters start with a smartphone app. Sillier still, GPS software will alert you to other E-Scooter riders in the area and flash your headlights when you pass them."

"Here we are at the beginning of what could possibly become another icon," said Mini's Adrian van Hooydonk, senior VP of of BMW group design, of the Mini Scooter E Concept line.

See pictures of the Scooter E models in the slideshow below. Does it have "icon" potential? Weigh in, then check out these "cars from the future."

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British model Agyness Deyn poses for photographers during the unveiling of the Mini Scooter E Concept, in central London, on September 23, 2010. Mini unveiled its latest concept design in London Thursday, almost ten years after unveiling the redesigned Mini car. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

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British model Agyness Deyn poses for photographers during the unveiling of the Mini Scooter E Concept, in central London, on September 23, 2010. Mini unveiled its latest concept design in London Thursday, almost ten years after unveiling the redesigned Mini car. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

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Comments

[LittleMittens]

11:36 PM on 09/28/2010

very fun...

[clevelandchick]

08:49 PM on 09/28/2010

Oh...those are so cute, we already own one scooter, I think it's time for two!

[mamacat]

07:29 AM on 09/28/2010

These things might be practical for students at school, and for people who live close to where they work. Might be a lot of fun, too. I wonder what they cost, how fast they go, and how far.

[clevelandchick]

08:56 PM on 09/28/2010

We have a Kymco, bought it brand new a few years ago for about $3,000 including gear (saddle bags, helmets, protective jacket). It gets 80mpg and can go 70-75mph. My hubby drives it and only has to fill it up once a month. We live in the city and he works just a couple of blocks from our home. It's cheaper than having two cars, the insurance on it is less than $200 a year.

Though you can buy larger touring scooters that can go far, they don't get the good mileage.

They are a lot of fun but as always you have to be a really defensive driver, people in cars don't see you.

[janedoe31]

05:34 PM on 09/27/2010

Luv it............perfect for running quick errands....

[ontariogirl]

12:29 AM on 09/27/2010

People don't respect scooters on the road. I wouldn't want to be on one where I live. Far too many narrow country roads. I drive a Vespa in my dreams though.

[Layman23]

11:54 PM on 09/26/2010

Those are horrible looking scooters. But being from Mini i am sure lot of people will shell out some dollars for the brand.

[CanisLatrans]

05:52 PM on 09/26/2010

Scooters are cute, but I prefer my Ural M-72/Gear-Up--

http://www.imz-ural.com/gearup/gallery.htm#

[netzwerg]

05:21 PM on 09/26/2010

I prefer my Vespa 50N, but if BMW can sell them and make money, why not?

[plan9]

04:37 PM on 09/26/2010

Gas guzzling motor scooters are destroying the environment, the Hummer Club of America salutes you.

[Rabid3k]

12:36 PM on 09/27/2010

These are fully electric zero-emissions scooters. Did you even read the article?

[joshmcdonald]

12:47 PM on 09/27/2010

These are electric. Did you RTFA?

[Codeine Priest]

04:52 AM on 09/26/2010

Cute, but I'd rather see it with a gas engine option. Electric means limited range, and that "zero emissions"-thing is rather disingenious, as how much coal or oil or natural gas was burned, to power the generator that produced the electricity needed to charge-up the scooter? (Ditto for the Nissan Leaf). And those batteries aren't exactly enviromentally-friendly, either.

[Galong]

07:16 AM on 09/26/2010

Well, I'd love to see you put together a scientific study that shows the amount of damage to the environment (taking into account the construction resources used as well as after-usage waste harmfullness) that the standard car/truck/SUV vs one of these electric bikes. I'm pretty sure you'd have to use some Fox News type logic to win your position. LOL

I don't believe that the point of this vehicle is to go across the country. It's for short jaunts around town isn't it?

[Galong]

07:19 AM on 09/26/2010

Hmm, not my best sentence structuring. I hope it made sense anyway :-)

Point - car/truck/SUV total damage vs little bike thingy total damage while being made and after thrown away.

[clevelandchick]

08:57 PM on 09/28/2010

That's pretty much the point of any scooter, depending on size they only have 2-3 gallon gas tanks.

[Galong]

07:22 AM on 09/26/2010

Here's a Scientific American article about battery recycling, see http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=lithium-ion-batteries-hybrid-electric-vehicle-recycling

[Carbon Forteetoo]

02:43 AM on 09/26/2010

I prefer my mountain bike.

[busynurse]

11:50 AM on 09/25/2010

I've wanted a Vespa since forever...but may have to change my mind. These are cute.

[clabberty]

09:17 AM on 09/25/2010

They are pretty cute but a vehicle that doesn't have a key and uses a smartphone app? Not for me. What is someone has the same frequency smartphone and is using it when I drive by? I visualize it being the one and only time in my life that I will be able to fly without assistance as I get bulleted over the handlebars when my bike stops on a dime.

I learned my lesson several years ago when the brand new, all computerized Mazda6 car decided that locking the doors meant rolling down the windows. Rolling down the windows meant open the hood. Basically I drove very carefully home and dropped off the rental car and told them never again to upgrade me.

[Rabid3k]

12:38 PM on 09/27/2010

Um "frequency" has nothing to do with it... this would presumably be linked to a password or PIN number that no one but you knows.

As for your Mazda6 issues, electronic window and door lock technology has progressed a bit since the early-mid 90s. You might want to check it out ;-)

[PlayTOE]

05:52 AM on 09/25/2010

Is the scooter great?
No idea. We see a rather ordinary looking scooter pix. No stats.

Max speed?
range per charge
time to recharge
Voltage and amperage of recharge system?
Battery type size & capacity?
cost?????????????????????????????????????????

[Galong]

10:14 PM on 09/25/2010

Easy to Google... see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1314640/Mini-unveils-electric-scooter-costs-1p-mile.html

[PlayTOE]

08:33 AM on 09/26/2010

Yes, we can look it up on google ... and my point was that HufPo should have done that and included the most obvious stats in their article.
... This has a very average range and speed for an electric scooter but a very upscale price (presumably due to using real leather on the seat).

[rougebaisers]

02:49 AM on 09/25/2010

I like vespas.