NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: MINI reveals pure-electric classic

MINI has revealed a pure-electric version of the original Mini at today's New York motor show.

The shock reveal of a retro-mod based on the classic Issigonis Mini follows a decision by the British car-maker to build anticipation for the brand's first pure-electric production car that goes on sale next year.

Based on a late-1990s version of the British design icon, the little Mini was said to have been completely restored before its fuel-injected 1300cc four-cylinder engine and transmission were junked for the pure-electric powertrain.

MINI hasn't admitted if its battery-powered recreation shares any parts with the BMW i3, but the small Mini is claimed to have a range of 105km, thanks to its 30kWh lithium battery cell that's thought to take up most of the meagre boot capacity.

There's no 0-100km/h time but MINI says the classic precursor to a modern supermini has a top speed of 120km/h.

Sadly, the British car-maker says the little Mini EV is a one-off designed for the American car show and there are no plans for MINI to branch out into reengineering or restoring its past masters.

MINI's 2019 pure-electric hatch, meanwhile, is said to be in late development ahead of its launch next year with prototypes currently undergoing cold-weather testing.

When it arrives, it's expected to come with a pure-electric powertrain sourced from the BMW i3.

This will provide for a range of more than 400km.

Set to be made at the same Oxfordshire plant in the UK as its petrol and diesel siblings, the zero-emission MINI will, initially, only be offered with the three-door hatchback model.