BMW reveals first images of new electric Mini car to be produced in the UK

The new full-production electric Mini will be assembled in Oxford (BMW)

German car giant BMW has revealed the first concept images of the planned full-production electric Mini, which will made in the UK.

The design images feature the Mini apparently being driven on a leafy suburban street and parked outside small shops.

They also show the concept is instantly recognisable from the front by its hexagonal radiator grille and circular headlights.

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Production is expected to get into full swing in early 2019 (BMW)

The car will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month (BMW)

An eye-catching E badge above the front wheel is another defining feature to highlight the electric power source.

The rear light assemblies each form one half of the Union Jack as an LED dot matrix

The famous marque, which is to be made at the Cowley, Oxford plant, is expected to go into mass production from early 2019.

The LED brake lights each form one half of the Union Jack flag (BMW)

The Mini features a large ‘E’ badge by the front wheels (BMW)

It comes almost a decade after the Mini E electric car was developed for field trials. Just 600 models were made.

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Few technical details of the new version have been revealed ahead of its official launch at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

BMW has said it will have a “powerful electric motor”. The car’s drivetrain – which includes the motor, gearbox and battery pack – will be assembled in Germany and fixed to the rest of the car in the UK factory.

The new concept comes almost 10 years after 600 models were produced for ‘field trials’ (BMW)

“With its characteristic go-kart feel and powerful electric motor, the Mini Electric Concept is great fun to drive while also being completely suitable for everyday use – and producing zero emissions to boot,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, a member of the BMW board, responsible for Mini. “That’s how we at MINI envisage electric mobility in tomorrow’s world.”

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Unveiled in 2008, the Mini E was the first all-electric car from the BMW group to be driven by private users in everyday traffic conditions as part of an extensive field trial.

Many of the classic design features from past Minis, such as the distinctive front grille, are prominent once more (BMW)

One of the early design sketches for the new electric Mini (BMW)

Earlier this year, the company began producing the first ever production plug-in hybrid model of the Mini in the shape of the Countryman.

“The Mini Electric Concept is a quintessential Mini,” added Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice president BMW Group Design, “Compact, agile, simply the perfect companion for everyday driving. At the same time, it conveys a whole new take on the concept of sportiness.”