Electric Mini Cooper SE turns muscle car, tugs 150-ton Boeing 777F

First purely electrically powered model made by the British premium manufacturer in spectacular show of strength at Frankfurt airport.

Autocar Professional BureauBy Autocar Professional Bureau calendar 01 Jun 2019 Views icon5250 Views Share - Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Whatsapp
Electric Mini Cooper SE turns muscle car, tugs 150-ton Boeing 777F

Noiseless, emissions-free but very powerful: the Mini Electric recently showcased just what it is capable of. The recent 'testing programme' for the first purely electrically powered Mini was unconventional: on a foray to Frankfurt airport, a close-to-series prototype of the new model demonstrateda spectacular show of strength.

The Mini Cooper SE slipped straight into the role of an aircraft tug, setting off to the loading point towing a Boeing 777F freight aircraft with an unladen weight of some 150 tonnes. The unusual hook-up was filmed in a video clip.

Created collaboratively by the BMW Group and Lufthansa Cargo, the 45-second commercial shows the Mini Cooper SE as a 'muscle car' pulling the significantly larger and heavier transport aircraft across the airfield. The clip marks the start of a number of social media videos portraying the Mini Cooper SE in an entertaining manner. The videos, which will be published in the lead up to its market introduction, will link various topics of the BMW Group to be brought together.

The Mini Cooper SE will go into serial production at the British plant in Oxford as of November 2019. It is based on the Mini three-door and combines locally emissions-free driving with the brand's characteristic go-kart feeling, premium quality and expressive design.

After the BMW i3, it is the second purely electrically powered model within the company’s premium automobile portfolio. Helping the Mini Cooper SE perform its muscle car role, the performance characteristics of the electric motor combine spontaneous power delivery with a high level of torque available directly from standing.

Video courtesy: Auto Media/BMW Group

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