The classic Mini is a shape and model that many of us recognise and love, even if we don’t own one ourselves and while the brand has been modernising with new looks and features in recent years, it’s the older models that maintain their place in our hearts. With the UK making moves to become fully electric on our roads, owners of classic Minis may be concerned about the future of their cars and how to maintain them going forward – well, Mini have an answer.

In an effort to promote their sustainability credentials and following the success of their Electric Vehicle, Mini will be offering all owners of classic Mini vehicles a swap for a new electric engine. Owners of the original-shape Mini will be able to have the four-cylinder A-series engine swapped out for the 121bhp electric motor to bring this classic car into a more sustainable 21st Century. 

This new electric engine not only offers a new drive but will also change the way owners can drive their vehicles. This swap will take away the four-gear system and replace it with a single unit that allows speeds of 0-62mph in approximately 9 seconds, which is certainly an improvement on existing performance.

Developed and run by a team at the Oxford factory, the conversion is set to be reversible, with existing motors stored and labelled effectively so that owners can make the switch back to their original systems if they so choose.

Mini says that the new project aims to get electric vehicles out onto the road without having to build cars from the ground up or existing owners having to give up their previous cars. They claim that it “fits seamlessly into the brand’s future strategy, which also includes the aspect of circular economy”. 

This switch won’t be free and costs haven’t been announced yet, so owners will need to consider the cost in their decision to make the switch, but it is expected that it will be considerably less than buying a brand new electric vehicle. If owners do take the leap and opt into the Recharged project, they will be met with charging speeds of up to 6.6kW, and 99 miles of range.

The project is currently undergoing the last discussions and details are yet to be finalised, however, we can expect to hear more information in the coming months about how the project is set to work and how much it will cost.

For more information about your Mini vehicle or to book your Mini in for a repair or a service, get in touch with a member of our team here at Service4Service, today.