Paddy Hopkirk takes the wheel as the electric MINI E joins the 2010 Bridgestone Brighton to London Eco-Rally

On the 7th July MINI E will join some of the world’s cleanest cars in the 2010 Bridgestone London Brighton Eco-Rally. Driven by classic Mini rally legend Paddy Hopkirk, Williams F1 driver Nico Hulkenburg and TV presenter Lisa Rogers, The MINI E will be part of a ‘green convoy’ leaving Brighton’s seafront, driving to London’s Hyde Park. Throughout the route the convoy will take in some of the country’s past and future energy sources.

The Bridgestone Eco-Rally was set up four years ago, to showcase the very latest in low and zero carbon technology. This year the event promises to be the most successful yet with support from Formula 1’s Ross Braun and Patrick Head, as well as well known car enthusiasts like TV presenters Vicki Butler Henderson and Kevin McCloud.

The MINI E is the first product of BMW’s Project i – a program designed to research and develop transport strategies and new types of vehicles for sustainable mobility.  The MINI E is being tested on British roads by a mixture of private, corporate and public sector drivers – all of whom will give valuable feedback to the project consortium and UK government.  Phase One of the MINI E UK trial finished last month, and the drivers recruited to take part in the second phase will take to the roads in September this year.  The findings from these trials will ultimately be used in the engineering and infrastructure support of mass-produced electric vehicles and establish the social and economic issues and aspects of running an electric car.

During everyday usage, the MINI E can travel around 100 miles (up to 155 miles in ideal conditions*) on a single charge, depending on driving style and conditions, and of course, has the all the characteristic performance for which the MINI is famous.  It can sprint from 0-62mph in just 8.5 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 95mph.