http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/09/01/mi...r_allelectric/

The Mini Cooper is a nice little car that isn't exactly known for being a hot rod. Now a Hampshire, UK-based company has converted the Cooper into a hybrid electric car that can race from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The company also claims the car can produce 640 bhp.

PML Flightlink took eight months in making the Mini QED, short for "quad electric drive". It's one of two such vehicles in development which contain an electronic motor in each wheel and a set of batteries and ultracapacitors in the trunk. In addition to the fast 0-60 time, the car has a maximum speed of 150 mph and gets around 65 to 80 mpg, the developers claim.

The braking system of the Cooper consists of regenerative pads which recover "almost all energy" back into the batteries, according to PML. A 250cc 2-cylinder gas engine will kick in when the battery is discharged. The Mini QED can also be plugged into the wall to recharge over night.

PML Flightlink hasn't said if it plans to eventually commercialize the Mini QED.

No I wouldn't mind having a hybrid car that could put up those kindof numbers.

 

Man I thought at least one person would find this interesting.

 

They say that doesn't have conventional brake pads, only regenerative (besides a handbrake). I wonder how strong/reliable those are...

 

it's still a mini. Would still be sweet if it was available for sale..

 

Awesome concept, but I'll believe it when I see it. There is no mention of cost or reliability.

 

That's cool....needs to be on the market!

 

the cooper S was always pretty fast...but making it faster and more fuel efficient....yes put it on the market.....

 

I think it would sell reasonably well if priced under $100k. But I agree, details are way too spotty and it has the "sounds too good to be true" feeling.

 

LOL I looked at the title and had a sinking feeling it was going to be the Lexus LS hybrid.