The MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW is the new safety car of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship racing series and thus connects the brand’s electrified future with the rich racing history of John Cooper Works. The vehicle, which also sports unique, generatively designed, 3D printed seats, was created on the basis of the new MINI Cooper SE in a previously unique collaboration between MINI Design, BMW Motorsport, the FIA and Formula E.
“With the MINI Electric, we have already shown how well driving fun and electromobility go together,” says Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI Brand. “The MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW goes at least one step further and combines the performance character of the John Cooper Works brand with electric mobility. Of course, this extreme form as a safety car for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship E racing series is not intended for road use. When you see the vehicle, you can see where we could go in terms of electrification of the JCW brand. For me it clearly shows: electrification and John Cooper Works go together. ”
The interchangeable and also 3D printed pads on the sports seat feature an innovative structure that combines comfort, robustness and modularity. Customizable in terms of strength, hardness and color, they can be adapted to the physiognomy, weight and personal taste of the respective pilot.
The exterior of the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW, which is tailor-made for use on the racetrack, shows the most dynamic form of a purely electrically powered MINI to date. The design is an exciting symbiosis of technical precision and emotion, explains Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. “Here the function determines the form, many design elements are driven by technology. For example, the shape of the wheel arches, front and rear aprons were developed in close cooperation with colleagues from BMW Motorsport and, among other things, have been optimized in terms of weight. And it is precisely this striking, technically precise design language that gives the vehicle its high level of emotion and fascination.”
Manufacturing on Demand
The side of the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW is also extremely dynamic: the interplay of geometrically clearly emphasized spats with deliberately set spoiler edges and the sporty side skirts accelerate the vehicle even when stationary fill in, they reinforce the typical MINI stance on the wheels. Spats and spoilers are “made in Oxford” and were also made from recycled carbon using a 3D printing process. Yellow accent lines and areas on the aero elements such as spars, sills and rear wing indicate the flow optimization taking place there and at the same time set a visual highlight on the air control elements and spoiler edges.
The rear section in black and curbside red continues the distinctive design language from the front and side with yellow accent surfaces and forms a very modern, dynamic statement. The expressive, air-flowing rear wing with yellow accent lines on the roof also integrates the light signal system and was also 3D printed at the Oxford plant. The exhibited wheel arches emphasize the wide track and merge seamlessly into the pronounced rear apron. It is cut out in the area of the wheels and reveals the racing tires with more grip. The puristic diffuser sits between the wheels. From this perspective, colored accents in Energetic Yellow and the missing tailpipes indicate the electric drive.
The MINI Electric Pacesetter will be used for the first time on April 10, 2021 in Rome as part of the second Formula E event of the current Formula E season 2021. Bruno Correia, the official FIA Safety Car driver for Formula E, will then be at the wheel. “The agility, the performance and a cool looking car. The MINI Electric Pacesetter Safety Car for the FIA Formula E World Championship has it all. Driving is a lot of fun and it feels like going karting,” Correia said of the MINI Electric Pacesetter. On the racetrack, the two BMW i Andretti Motorsport drivers Maximilian Guenther (GER) and Jake Dennis (GBR) will compete for victory in their BMW iFE.21 in Formula E.
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Author: Davide Sher
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