MINI, the iconic British automotive brand, renowned for its compact and stylish cars, is contemplating a foray into the electric bike market. Amidst a period of transformation, with recent releases of electric variants of its beloved models, MINI’s leadership is exploring the possibility of expanding its portfolio to include electric two-wheelers. Stefanie Wurst, MINI’s head, recently expressed her keen interest in electric bikes following a test ride on BMW’s CE 02 electric bike, a creation of MINI’s parent company.
Wurst envisions a promising future in urban mobility and acknowledges BMW’s prowess in this domain, hinting at potential collaborations with BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division of BMW.Design director Oliver Heilmer has also voiced support for the idea, highlighting the design team’s exploration of concepts to assess the feasibility of such a venture.
Despite bikes not being their forte, Heilmer stressed the importance of preserving MINI’s distinctive aesthetic in any potential two-wheeler offerings.If MINI proceeds with electric bikes, they are expected to draw inspiration from BMW’s CE 02 model, renowned for its electric performance and practicality in urban settings. The CE 02 impresses with its acceleration and range, positioning it as a credible competitor to traditional petrol-powered bikes.
While MINI may leverage synergies with BMW, it aims to establish a unique presence in the electric bike market, possibly through competitive pricing strategies compared to its BMW counterpart.Excitement abounds among enthusiasts at the prospect of MINI electric bikes, yet the timeline and realization of such a project remain uncertain. For now, MINI remains focused on expanding its electric vehicle lineup while remaining vigilant for opportunities to innovate and venture into new markets.