The classic Mini, originally designed as an affordable car for the British public, has gone electric—but not without losing sight of its budget-friendly roots. David Brown Automotive, known for luxury restorations, has launched an all-electric version named the Mini eMastered.
The car might be a classic, but the cost definitely forces people to raise their eyebrows
Equipped with a 72-kilowatt electric motor and an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery, this revamped Mini can go up to 110 miles on a single charge. It accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and has a top speed of 92 mph. Despite the modern amenities, such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, what really catches the eye is the sticker price. It is priced at a whopping $154,500 (£125,000), excluding all the extra charges and taxes. That’s a far cry from its origins as a budget-friendly vehicle. The Mini eMastered is handcrafted and customized per the owner’s specs, but at that price, it’s clear this car isn’t for everyone.
This luxury revamp is definitely deviating from the Mini’s original mission to provide economical personal transport. The Mini eMastered does stay true to its classic design, down to its weight of 1,411 pounds, equal to the original gas model. However, its premium pricing clearly marks it as a luxury item, rather than a car for the average driver.