Mini launches 'Recharged' project to electrify classic cars

The Mini Recharged project will allow the owners of classic Mini models, built between 1959 and 2000, to electrify their cars. The four-cylinder petrol engine of the old cars will be replaced by a 121bhp electric motor. 

Through its newly introduced in-house programme called Recharged, Mini will help convert its classic models into an EV. Developed by a team of engineers at the company’s manufacturing base at Oxford (United Kingdom), the aim of Mini Recharged is to give classic Mini models a new lease of life. At the moment, the Recharged programme will be only available for Mini owners in the UK.

Mini claims that the idea for converting old Minis into EVs was conceived even before the market launch of the all-new full-electric Mini Cooper SE. Now, while the Cooper SE is brimming with the latest tech and is the company’s first-ever production EV, the Recharged division will be solely focussing on various Minis produced between 1959 and 2000. The programme will see Mini engineers replace the four-cylinder A-series engine of the original car with an electric motor that’s rated at 121bhp/90kW.

If Mini is to be believed, the performance will be zippy. After the conversion, the electric drivetrain will help the hatch clock 0-100km/h in 9 seconds. The claimed range is around 160km and the battery pack can be charged with a 6.6kW charger.

What’s more, every Mini that goes under the knife during the ‘Recharged’ process will also get new instrumentation dials. The new dials will include a temperature gauge for the motor, gear selector readout, and range and speed indicators. They will, however, retain the classic look of the original dials.

Last but least, owners will also have the option to reverse to the original ICE set up at a later date. Mini will store the original engine for a future retrofit if an owner wishes to do that.

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