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FIA Formula E Safety Car: MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW!

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FIA Formula E Safety Car: MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW!

Photos by BMW

The MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW is the new safety car of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship racing series and thus connects the brand's electrified future with the rich racing history of John Cooper Works. The vehicle was created on the basis of the new MINI Cooper SE in a previously unique collaboration between MINI Design, BMW Motorsport, the FIA ​​and Formula E.

Electric drive meets John Cooper Works.

“With the MINI Electric, we have already shown how well driving fun and electromobility go together,” says Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI Brand. “The MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW goes at least one step further and combines the performance character of the John Cooper Works brand with electric mobility. Of course, this extreme form as a safety car for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship E racing series is not intended for road use. When you see the vehicle, you can see where we could go in terms of electrification of the JCW brand. For me it clearly shows: electrification and John Cooper Works go together. "

FIA Formula E Safety Car: MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW!

Maximum dynamics - the exterior design.

The exterior of the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW, which is tailor-made for use on the racetrack, shows the most dynamic form of a purely electrically powered MINI to date. The design is an exciting symbiosis of technical precision and emotion, ”explains Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. “Here the function determines the form, many design elements are driven by technology. For example, the shape of the wheel arches, front and rear aprons were developed in close cooperation with colleagues from BMW Motorsport and, among other things, have been optimized in terms of weight. And it is precisely this striking, technically precise design language that gives the vehicle its high level of emotion and fascination. "

In the front, the classic MINI icons such as the round headlights and the hexagonal radiator grille form the typical MINI face with a high recognition value. At the same time, characteristic John Cooper Works elements such as the wheel arches adapted to the track width and the deeply drawn front apron with additional split front splitters underline the sporty perception of the front.

The closed “radiator grille” and the MINI Electric logo reveal the electrical “heart” of the safety car. Since almost no classic engine cooling is required in the upper grill area, the front was largely closed for aerodynamic reasons. The only exceptions are the area below the grill and the distinctive, almost square openings for cooling the brakes. The safety car's white "front flashers" are harmoniously integrated into the bonnet. The characteristic bonnet stripes continue over the roof to the rear.

MINI DNA in racing gear - the side.

The MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW is also extremely dynamic on the side: the interplay of geometrically clearly emphasized spats with deliberately set spoiler edges and the sporty side skirts accelerate the vehicle even when stationary. Together with the enlarged wheel diameter, which almost completely covers the wheel arches fill in, they reinforce the typical MINI stance on the wheels. Spats and spoilers are "made in Oxford" and were made from recycled carbon using a 3D printing process.

FIA Formula E Safety Car: MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW!

Yellow accent lines and areas on the aero elements such as spars, sills and rear wing indicate the flow optimization taking place there and at the same time set a visual highlight on the air control elements and spoiler edges. The 18 '' lightweight forged wheels in black-neon-orange bi-color design interpret the striking four-spoke design of the MINI John Cooper Works GP with a lot of visual depth in a filigree way.

In the color concept, the color worlds of MINI Electric and John Cooper Works merge into a common statement. The main color of the car is a matte silver that extends beyond the center of the vehicle. Then a two-stage color gradient from high-speed orange to the crisp red tone "Curbside Red met." In high-gloss foiling completes the vehicle towards the rear.

The contrast between matt and glossy vehicle surfaces loosens the silhouette further, while the clear, diagonal dividing lines between the color areas provide additional dynamism. On the side of the vehicle, a pattern derived from the checkered flag meets a large MINI Electric logo, which can also be found in the front grille, on the roof and in the rear. Since the vehicle is used as a safety car, there are also regulation-specific graphics and sponsors on the vehicle and visually underline the racing character.

Wide and distinctive - the rear.

The rear section in black and curbside red met. continues the distinctive design language from the front and side with yellow accent surfaces and forms a very modern, dynamic statement. The expressive, air-flowing rear wing with yellow accent lines on the roof also integrates the light signal system. It was 3D printed at the Oxford plant.

FIA Formula E Safety Car: MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW!

The exhibited wheel arches emphasize the wide track and merge seamlessly into the pronounced rear apron. It is cut out in the area of ​​the wheels and reveals the racing tires with more grip. The puristic diffuser sits between the wheels. From this perspective, colored accents in Energetic Yellow and the missing tailpipes indicate the electric drive.

Maximum reduction - the interior.

The interior is reduced to the bare essentials. Only the front row of seats is available. The driver's area consists of a certified seat with a 6-point belt, approved for both racing and road use, a steering wheel with a minimally designed carbon impact absorber and a digital instrument cluster. The central information display gave way to a carbon cover to further reduce weight. The center console contains the gear selector switch as well as the handbrake and controls for the necessary signal lights, all covered in carbon fiber.

FIA Formula E Safety Car: MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW!

In the also slimmed-down carbon door panel with window regulator and door opener, a fabric loop makes it easier to close the door. Otherwise, the interior consists of a welded roll cage, which ensures maximum safety. The rest of the stripped interior structure is also painted in typical motorsport white for functional reasons.

Exclusively manufactured 3D printed parts in the interior.

The minimalist impact absorber and the boost panel on the right-hand side of the steering wheel are just as high-quality one-offs as the cladding of the center console and the door trim on the driver's side. Another highlight are the exchangeable and also 3D-printed pads on the sports seat. Their innovative structure combines comfort, robustness and modularity. Customizable in terms of strength, hardness and color, they can be perfectly adapted to the physiognomy, weight and personal taste of the respective pilot.

FIA Formula E Safety Car: MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW!

Fit for the racetrack thanks to BMW Motorsport know-how.

The know-how of BMW Motorsport is hidden under the expressive design of the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW. Consistent lightweight construction helps the Safety Car to reduce its weight by approx. 130 kg compared to the production version of the MINI Cooper SE, and thus to an empty weight of approx. 1230 kg. The optimized drive based on the MINI Cooper SE delivers 135 kW and 280 Nm. The MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW sprints from 6,7-0 km / h in 100 s (series: 7,3 s), from 0-60 km / h in 3,6 s (series: 3,9 s) But even more important with a safety car is the pull-through data. Here the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW shows all the advantages of its gearless and high-torque electric drive: 80-120 km / h in 4,3 s (series: 4,6 s).

FIA Formula E Safety Car: MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW!

Together with the drive, the motorsport coilover suspension, which can be adjusted in three ways in terms of pull, pressure, height and camber, enables the maximum go-kart feeling. The overall package is rounded off by a motorsport suspension link connection, a track widening of +10 mm as well as a 4-piston brake system and rims from the MINI John Cooper Works GP with MICHELIN Pilot Sport tires in size 245 / 40R18. The same tires with which the front wheels of Formula E racing cars are fitted.

Premiere on April 10.04.2021th, 2021 at the Rome E-Prix XNUMX

The MINI Electric Pacesetter will be used for the first time on April 10, 2021 in Rome as part of the second Formula E event of the current Formula E season 2021. Bruno Correia, the official FIA Safety Car driver for Formula E, will then be at the wheel. “The agility, the performance and a cool looking car. The MINI Electric Pacesetter Safety Car for the FIA ​​Formula E World Championship has it all. Driving is a lot of fun and it feels like going karting, ”Correia said of the MINI Electric Pacesetter. On the racetrack, the two BMW i Andretti Motorsport drivers Maximilian Guenther (GER) and Jake Dennis (GBR) will compete for victory in their BMW iFE.21 in Formula E.

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About Thomas Wachsmuth

Thomas Wachsmuth - He has been an integral part of tuningblog.eu since 2013. His passion for cars is so intense that he invests every available penny in them. While he dreams of a BMW E31 850CSI and a Hennessey 6x6 Ford F-150, he currently drives a rather inconspicuous BMW 540i (G31/LCI). His collection of books, magazines and brochures on the subject of car tuning has now reached such proportions that he himself has become a walking reference work for the tuning scene.  More about Thomas

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