FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Pure-electric MINI set for global debut

MINI will unveil a pure-electric version of its three-door Cooper hatchback at the Frankfurt motor show next month, it has been revealed.

According to Autocar, an all-electric concept will star at the German auto show ahead of the production car's 2019 on-sale date.

MINI's first battery-powered production model will be built alongside the rest of the conventional petrol and diesel-powered MINI range at the car-maker’s Oxfordshire plant in the UK.

However, MINI has confirmed the electric hatch will source its powertrain from Germany. That’s because the little electric MINI will share its electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack with the BMW i3.

Thanks to next-generation battery technology, the pure-electric MINI is likely to come with a range of at least 400km -- significantly greater than the 240km range the original 2009 MINI E concept offered.

It's not known why MINI has taken so long to follow up its first battery-powered concept with another concept -- or indeed a production car that harnesses existing technology within the BMW Group -- but it's widely believed senior execs wanted some space for the BMW i3 to establish itself in the market.

MINI hasn't yet released any details of what's believed to be a close-to-production concept, but it's thought both its battery and motor will be a significant advance on the 25kWh lithium-ion battery that fed the MINI E concept's single front-mounted 150kW/220Nm electric motor.

Back in 2009 it was thought the MINI E was close to being green-lit for production following the decision by the British car-maker to produce as many as 40 prototypes for public testing, which saw the electric hatch cover 415,000km in the hands of real-world drivers.

Following the pure-electric MINI’s arrival, BMW will offer an all-electric X3 SUV that’s tipped to share its pure-electric hardware. That car has been confirmed for a launch in 2020.