PML, a British engineering firm, has built a high-performance hybrid version of BMW’s Mini Cooper. The company put together the vehicle as a demonstration of in-wheel electric drive systems. The PML MINI QED uses four in-wheel electric motors, producing 160 bhp each for a total of 640 all-electric bhp. It has a top speed of 150 mph, and can go from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

The car uses a brake-by-wire system to recover energy under braking and can run for four hours on battery power alone. There’s a 250cc 2-cylinder four-stroke gas engine to generate more electricity for longer trips. The in-wheel motors provide ABS and traction control. The Mini QED is a plug-in hybrid, and can be charged directly from a power outlet.

PML says that although its hybrid/electric Mini “will not be generally commercially available, the company is interested in discussing possible one-off orders and collaborations.”

## Source: 4 Car ##

Posted in: Concept Cars, Technology, British Motor Show, Hybrids, Electric
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