MINI unveils a track-only electric hatchback, the Pacesetter

KUALA LUMPUR: Inspired by JCW, the new Safety Car for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race series is here now and is called MINI Electric Pacesetter. It is jointly created as a part of unprecedented collaboration between MINI Design, BMW Motorsport, the FIA, and Formula E for the track and will make its official premiere at the Rome E-Prix on April 10, 2021.

Based on the Mini Cooper SE, the track-only electric car features a glut of modifications all around. Although it retains its round headlamps and hexagonal grille from the standard model, the front apron is deeper now and gets additional front splitters along with wider wheel arches on the sides. The 18-inch wheels are borrowed from the JCW GP, but here they feature a dual-tone black-neon/orange finish. For a sportier stance, sporty side skirts and aero edges have also been added.

Other exterior highlights of the safety car comprise brake cooling ducts, signature Mini stripes. 3D printed spoilers made from recycled carbon fiber and a menacing rear diffuser help the car look like a racing machine. Designers also gave the EV a matte silver exterior finish with a high-gloss wrap featuring Curbside Red and HighSpeed Orange accents.

Inside, the MINI Electric Pacesetter gets a single seat just for the driver with no infotainment system as it is meant for track only. The essential equipment list includes a digital instrument cluster, a minimalist carbon-fibre steering wheel, a six-point harness, lightweight pull straps for the door panels and windows, and plenty of 3D-printed carbon fibre to save weight. This made the EV 130 kg lighter. A welded-in roll cage is also added for improved safety.

Coming to the oily bits, here the MINI Electric Pacesetter gets the same powertrain as the Cooper SE that generates a maximum power of 184 PS and a peak torque of 280 Nm. However, the lower weight made the Pacesetter quicker to sprint to 100 kmph in 6.7 seconds as compared to the Cooper SE’s 7.3 seconds.

A three-way adjustable suspension unit allows the EV to be tuned for several tracks while the Michelin Pilot Sport tyres used on the wheels of Formula E racers are there to handle grip.

“We have already shown how well driving fun and electric mobility go together with the MINI Electric,” says Bernd Körber, Head of MINI. “However, the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW goes at least a step further and blends the performance character of the John Cooper Works brand with electric mobility. This extreme version of the MINI Electric has been developed as the Safety Car in Formula E, so is not intended for use on public roads. For me, the message is clear: electrification and John Cooper Works are a good fit.”

Also read: BMW’s Mini brand to go all-electric from 2030