text: Mini Scooter E concept bound for production if reaction in Paris is positive? [w/video] - Autoblog
  Mini Scooter E concept bound for production if reaction in Paris is positive? [w/video]
  Sep 24th 2010 at 4:58PM
  Set to hit the stage in Paris in less than a week, Mini's Scooter E concept, a two-wheeled, battery-powered urban dream machine, may indeed reach the inside of showrooms in the near future. Judging by the pics alone, the Scooter E appears ready to roll, but as Autocar recently discovered, the vehicle's fate lies mainly in the reaction from the public. In speaking with Mini design chief, Gert Hildebrand, Autocar learned that the scooter's purpose is to, "bring young people to the Mini brand." Hildebrand explains that the Scooter E could be used to draw in a youthful crowd in hopes that these buyers will then progress through the Mini range.
  Autocar turned to BMW Group design chief, Adrian van Hooydonk for future explanation. Hooydonk details the likelihood that a production version of Mini's concept scooter will emerge, stating:
  We will find a way to build them should there be enough demand. Mini has no history of scooters but Britain does - London does - and initial reaction will also shape how we move the project forward. We need to have ideas going forward; Mini always needs to be small yet premium and these scooters showcase this. We need ideas for zero-emission future mobility; you can't go where you want to all the time even with a car.
  Drawing from Hooydonk's comment, we'd conclude that Mini is on the fence on this one, but we'd bet that if Smart gives its battery-powered scooter the nod, Mini will probably follow suit. Hit the jump for some outstanding video of the Scooter E concept.
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  MINI takes a new direction...on two wheels. Agyness Deyn unveils MINI Scooter E Concept in London for Global Premiere.
  London, UK. Iconic British brand MINI unveils its exciting MINI Scooter E Concept today in London. This new design study represents the MINI design team's unparalleled expertise in recognising the challenges for mobility in major urban areas, and meeting these challenges with the development of stylish, innovative and sustainable future-focused vehicle concepts. The MINI Scooter E Concept comes almost ten years to the day since the new MINI was first shown at the Paris Motor Show.
  It's not just a two-wheeler in MINI Design - this scooter meets the needs of the young urban generation: Spontaneous, flexible, CO2-free mobility. Using a Smartphone as the ignition key, the concept integrates infotainment, communication and navigation systems. The MINI Scooter E Concept is powered by an electric motor which can be recharged at any conventional power socket using an on-board charging cable.
  "The MINI Scooter E Concept represents an electric vision of the future as urban mobility takes a new direction by MINI. We are delighted to debut during the London Design Festival and pay homage to our British heritage while also marking a new era for MINI. The MINI Scooter E Concept is true to our brand values of distinctive design, intelligent functionality and customisation and builds further on these characteristics by combining driving pleasure with sustainable technology into the first two-wheel concept of its kind for MINI."
  "Living a city life, it is important to get around quickly. I was thrilled to hear that MINI is developing an environmentally-friendly scooter, their reputation in cool design is well-known – I can't wait to try driving one!"
  The design concepts differ in the number of passengers they carry. The first MINI Scooter E Concept is a two-seater variant developed for 'the fun of driving for two'. It mirrors the colour scheme of the current MINI E hatch prototype, 40 of which are currently on trial on UK roads - with body paintwork in matt charcoal, a yellow seat and yellow-painted mirror caps - and emphasizes the particularly intense aspect of zero-emission driving.
  A snap-in adaptor for a Smartphone allows the driver to use their mobile device as a route finder, music player or as a phone via a wireless Bluetooth interface from the MINI 'cockpit'. As soon as the rider docks his mobile phone and switches it on, the vehicle is ready to go. A navigation app enables drivers to know where other MINI Scooter E Concept drivers are on the map, similar to social networking systems, to encourage interaction between the MINI Scooter E community. Technology currently in development will mean headlights on the scooters automatically open when they meet on the road.