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Driving a car is self-determination and therefore also a form of freedom. With driving and operating aids, the all-electric MINI Cooper SE expands the availability of emission-free driving fun for people with disabilities to the small car segment for the first time. “For me, diversity means letting everyone participate in the MINI brand-typical driving experience. Of course, this also applies to the electrified MINI. Our goal at MINI is to give everyone equal access to such important innovations,” emphasizes Stefanie Wurst, Head of MINI.
MINI Cooper SE
Driving safety instructor Tina Schmidt-Kiendl, who uses a wheelchair herself, was able to provide particularly valuable input on the equipment of the MINI Cooper SE with operating aids. On this basis, the vehicle was equipped with a gas ring on the steering wheel and a handbrake knob next to the steering wheel and then tested in practice. “Basically, the MINI Cooper SE already has a very accessible design. Thanks to the double recuperation, I can also manually control the all-electric vehicle and accelerate and brake without delay,” confirmed Tina Schmidt-Kiendl after her test drive.
On the joint test drive to Munich, however, Tina Schmidt-Kiendl and Stefanie Wurst noticed that there was still a need to catch up in urban planning. At the moment, charging stations are often installed on the sidewalk and are difficult to access, and because of curbs or because the display and charging socket are mounted too high, they are almost impossible to reach for people in wheelchairs. Other European cities are pioneers here with their focus on electromobility. There, e-charging stations must be accessible for everyone and are accordingly installed at ground level and barrier-free directly on the parking lot. “To become a truly inclusive society, we need to listen to each other. When it comes to technical innovations in particular, we should take everyone's needs into account," explains Stefanie Wurst.
With its traditional design features and forward-looking drive technology, the MINI Cooper SE combines the authentic style of the traditional British brand with emission-free driving fun in the urban environment and on trips outside the city limits. By installing driving and operating aids, people with disabilities can select tailor-made solutions for individual conversion options in their MINI vehicle and thus enjoy personal mobility without any problems.
Gas ring, ring gas system, hand control, pedal cover
In the MINI Cooper SE, for example, a gas ring can be installed, the ring gas system and the manual control unit for the brakes and a removable pedal cover can be installed. The closed gas ring for electrically powered vehicles is located in the inner circle of the steering wheel and thus enables convenient manual operation of the gas function by hand pressure. The form of attachment facilitates safe operation, with both hands always on the steering wheel to ensure maximum control over the vehicle. On the MINI, the gas ring can be deactivated using a switch and, thanks to the wireless function, can be removed if necessary.
The "reduced throttle characteristic curve" setting makes parking and starting off smoothly during a traffic jam much easier. When braking, only minimal effort is required to reduce speed with the handy brake lever. Because it is mounted on the right below the steering wheel, the brake lever is easily accessible at all times and runs to the brakes within the vehicle instrument panel without any disruptive linkage. A pedal cover for the accelerator and brake pedals of the original pedals protects the driver from accidental actuation and increases safety. For versatile use of the MINI Cooper SE, the cover can be easily removed at any time.
modern equipment features in all areas
With modern equipment features in the areas of driver assistance, infotainment and connectivity, the MINI Cooper SE continues to be easy to operate. The latest generation of the MINI operating system, with its modern graphics on the 8,8-inch touch display, optimizes the possibilities for quick and intuitive control of vehicle functions, audio program, communication, navigation and apps.
MINI drivers can also complete a special driver safety training course at the BMW and MINI Driving Experience site in Maisach near Munich to learn how to handle the converted vehicle in a confident, safe and sporty manner. Braking and evasive maneuvers as well as lane changes with and without delay are practiced here on different road surfaces. In addition to maximum safety and sovereignty at the wheel, the participants in highly dynamic driving exercises also gain increased driving pleasure in sporty corners. MINI thus enables safe, individual mobility without restrictions and sustainable, purely electric driving fun for everyone.
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Electric, sustainable, limitless: the MINI Cooper SE makes driving fun for people with disabilities.
Photo credit: BMW
