Formula E is continually gaining momentum. The world’s only battery powered single-seater series gained world championship status, making it the second (after F1) to obtain that honour. Many OEMs have put their weight behind the series in recent times. BMW has even gone as far as supplying safety cars for races. Most recently we saw the BMW i8 Roadster and now we have the Mini Electric Pacesetter. 

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Debut event

The Mini Electric Pacesetter will make its debut at the Rome E-Prix on 10 April 2021. This will be the third race of the 2021 Formula E season. Click here to read about Formula E coming to SA this year. 

Behind the wheel will be official FIA Formula E Safety Car driver Bruno Correia. “Agility, performance, a cool looking car: the MINI Electric Pacesetter Safety Car for the FIA Formula E World Championship has got it all,” said Correia. “It’s very fun to drive, it feels like karting.”

Check out this bonkers Mini with a V8 engine stuffed under the bonnet.

All-electric

In keeping with the theme of Formula E the Mini Electric Pacesetter is powered by an all-electric drivetrain. The new Safety Car is based on a standard, road-going Mini Cooper SE but it is 130 kg lighter than its production counterpart. The little car has 135 kW and 280 N.m, which enables it to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6,7 seconds. Thanks to its single-speed transmission it can dash from 80-120 km/h in 4,3 seconds. 

Other notable changes include a racing coilover suspension that is adjustable for rebound, compression, height and camber. Race-spec suspension control arm mountings, a 10 mm increase in track, plus four-piston brakes and wheels from the Mini John Cooper Works GP with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres round off the package.

Bespoke appearance

The Mini Electric Pacesetter has a unique appearance to match its on-track behaviour. There are several changes over the standard SE version. These include signature John Cooper Works elements, such as wheel arches adapted to the car’s wider track and the deep front apron with additional front splitters. The radiator grille is blanked off as the car requires no drive system cooling. The Safety Car’s white flashing lights are integrated into the bonnet. Signature Mini bonnet stripes extend over the roof to the rear end. The wheel spats and spoilers are 3D printed from recycled carbon-fibre in Oxford. 

The interior is stripped back to the absolute essentials. Just two seats are present. The driver’s area consists of a race bucket seat with a six-point belt harness. The steering wheel has a carbon fibre impact absorber and a digital instrument cluster. The centre console houses the gearshift lever, handbrake and controls for the necessary signal lights.