By adding an electric motor to an original Mini, David Brown Automotive’s Mini remastered brings an icon from the 1960s up to date. An electric engine with a 97-hp battery pack gives it power. This Mini restaurant mustn’t get too heavy. Even though it is expensive, this small car stands out because it can be changed in many ways. David Brown Automotive (DBA), based in Northampton and close to the Silverstone race track, is an expert at putting the best of Britain in the 1960s back to life. The Aston Martin DB5-inspired Speedback GT was an example of a past project, as were several original Minis fixed up. The Mini remastered the newest form, brings the small urban terrier into the age of battery power. The remastered electric motor has 97 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque and a battery with 18.8 kWh. Even though the power number is close to what a good tuner can get out of the 1275 cc combustion engine used in later Cooper models, the torque is impressive for such a small car. The 1410-pound curb weight, almost the same as the original, is the big story here. Even though the battery pack is small and limits the range to about 110 miles, this would be a great little car for getting around London. It could drive through the city’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), fit into tight parking spots, and speed around corners. Even though DBA says it can hit 60 mph in less than 8.5 seconds, this Mini could fly through the Financial District on a Sunday morning with that much electric power. After the remastered has had time to charge, which takes about three hours on a 6.6kW AC charger, go to your local bar. The remastered does sound like a Cockney delight, thanks to its endless customization choices that let you make a unique EV resto-mod Mini experience. But there is the question of how much it will cost to buy. The price of a mastered is the same as that of a Heffalump, but it is smaller. Before you can finish an order, you may need to steal your own $155,000 worth of British pounds worth of gold coins. The remastered is charming because it is a perfectly made, future-proof version of one of the most charming cars ever made. Several 4,000-pound EV crossovers with better power, range, and speed can be bought for the same price. But less is more when it comes to an honest Mini.
