Mini is known for its small compact premium hatchback cars and we thought that’s their only forte. But seems like the company likes to show its cards slowly. The BMW-owned company recently unveiled an electric scooter named CitySurfer.
This old-fashioned kick scooter was a brainchild of a small group of engineers in BMW, who were looking for more practical options for the city use. The German manufacturer says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded, to be carried on public transport like trains and buses. Weighing at just 18kg, the CitySurfer scooter is one of the lightest electric scooters.
The vehicle's lithium-ion battery is charged by a 12-volt automobile socket or a regular wall outlet, and combines with regenerative braking to enable a range of 15 to 25 km. Acceleration is thumb-operated and driven by a gearless hub motor in the rear wheel that is claimed to allow a top speed of 25 km/h. Mini Citysurfer Concept has large wheels with pneumatic tyres making it suitable for bumpy paths, low foot board, stable frame and height-adjustable handlebars. There are three brake systems which operate independently of each other (recuperation brake via electric drive generator function, hydraulic disc brakes at the front and rear wheel).
BMW hasn’t disclosed whether this electric scooter will make it to production, but if it does, expect BMW to sell one of these along with its Mini cars. Mini is positioned as a lifestyle brand and we know the CitySurfer is heading towards the same.
