Trust BMW. While Nissan and Porsche are involved in a spat about ultimate lap times at Germany’s famed Nurburgring race circuit, BMW has slipped in and posted the fastest lap time for an electric-powered vehicle.
Thomas Jager, the MINI Challenge champion in 2006 and DTM racer was at the wheel when the specially-prepared MINI E Race lapped the heart-stopping 20.8 kms mountain circuit in 09:51.45 minutes with a top speed of 187 km/h.
The Mini E Race was fitted with a lightweight body and the usual race-car mods for safety (a roll cage etc) plus competition brakes and suspension components. While the 150kW electric motor was the same as production MINI Es, drive to the front wheels was via a revised helical gearbox with higher ratios.
