It’s no longer a novelty for car manufacturers to venture into bike production. Companies like Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi have entered the market by releasing their own electric bike products as extensions of their mobility-focused lineups.
Recently, car manufacturer MINI announced a collaboration with electric bike maker Angell Mobility to design an electric bike – the MINI E-Bike 1. This marks MINI’s first foray into the electric bike market. Limited to 1959 units, the release coincides with MINI’s founding year, signifying its official entry into the two-wheeler segment.
The MINI E-Bike 1 embodies a typical urban bike in appearance, with vivid colors like Wave Green and Dynamic Silver that blend performance with style, drawing inspiration from MINI’s iconic color palette. Structurally, it features an aluminum frame, steel spokes, and an injection-molded thermoplastic chain guard. Blending MINI’s aesthetics with Angell’s streamlined aluminum and carbon bike design, it includes non-leather saddles and grips made by Brooks England, integrating pedals, thermoplastic chain guards, and mudguards with the bike frame design.
The battery and motor design are discreetly integrated, equipped with a 250W rear-wheel hub motor, reaching speeds of up to 25 kilometers per hour. It offers three assist levels – Fly Eco, Fly Dry, and Fly Fast. At the lowest assist level, the bike can cover up to 65 kilometers on a single charge. However, in “Fast mode,” the range reduces to 35 kilometers.
The high-capacity battery is cleverly positioned beneath the seat, similar to a regular vehicle’s rear seat. Weighing only 2.1 kilograms, it can be rapidly charged in just two hours, reducing the hassle of frequent recharges.
Additionally, the MINI E-Bike 1 boasts strong safety features, equipped with a parabolic headlamp and flashing lights for increased visibility at night and during the day. It includes a bike alarm to prevent theft, offering a free replacement warranty for up to two years.
The intelligent experience is also a crucial aspect of MINI’s vehicle design. It includes an onboard smart display providing information on speed, distance traveled, battery level, etc. Moreover, the bike can connect to smart devices via an app, offering functions like unlocking, real-time tracking, and customizable settings for alarms, indicators, lights, etc.
The MAX weight of the MINI E-Bike 1 is only 17.5 kilograms, with two style choices for different rider heights. The ‘S’ model features a low frame, weighing approximately 17 kilograms with the battery, suitable for users with heights ranging from 160 to 180 centimeters. Meanwhile, the ‘M’ model boasts a high frame, weighing around 17.5 kilograms with the battery, catering to riders with heights ranging from 170 to 190 centimeters.
The MINI E-Bike 1 is now available for pre-order on the MINI and Angell websites, priced at 3490 euros. It will also be available for purchase at selected bike retailers and MINI dealerships across Europe.
