David Brown launches all-electric Mini eMastered
After a small, lightweight, fun-to-drive EV? The 640kg, 97hp eMastered might be it...
It can often feel like the same old things are being said about the same old electric vehicles. Too big, too heavy, too hypocritical, and so on. The Mini eMastered from DBA looks to be doing things a little differently. It’s small and light, and so is its battery. It's brisk without being silly and the range is within a handful of miles of something like a Mazda MX-30. Maybe there’s hope after all.
Despite launching as a company paying homage to the DB5 (makes sense when your name is David Brown), DBA has become best known in recent years for its original Mini restomods. This eMastered takes a very similar approach to cars like the Oselli Edition, with the whole thing completely renewed and rejuvenated to be the best a Mini can be. For this car, David Brown Automotive’s first EV, we’re told to expect ‘exceptional expertise in British handcraftsmanship blended with a timeless, retro design and effortless electric propulsion’.
Speaking of which, the eMastered’s spec reads more like the setup for a plug-in hybrid than a full electric vehicle, but then such are the benefits of low mass. The battery is just 18.8kWh (the one that sits alongside a 1.5-litre petrol in a new Passat is 19.7kWh), and the motor produces 97hp and 129lb ft, which again feels very modest. But then this newly electrified Mini weighs the same as an original, at just 640kg, and so it’ll reach 62mph in 8.5 seconds, on its way to 92mph. Which is far speedier on paper than many with an A Series ever were, and they always felt fast enough because they were so tiny.
There are some disadvantages to this approach, inevitably. The WLTP certified range is 110 miles, which will be fine for those city-slicking but potentially poses some problems for any journeys further afield. Especially as it won’t fast charge. Presumably a lack of DC compatibility saves some weight and complexity, but AC only means a best-case scenario of three hours to brim it from a home wallbox. Or plug it into a lamppost and make it a really long lunch, presumably.
Far be it from us, however, to criticise a Mini EV that looks this good and weighs probably a third of what a new Countryman plug-in does. For the moment, DBA is a little light on the details that make an eMastered, though it would have to be assumed some thorough restoration and preparation is going to be needed; even modest-for-an-EV torque is quite a lot to hurl an old Mini along, for example. The battery pack looks a neat fit under the bonnet, at least.
The whole thing looks very neat, in fact, because that’s just how pitch-perfect the original Mini still is, especially if the fundamentals aren’t tampered with too much. As is David Brown Automotive tradition, the sky’s the limit when it comes to customisations; buyers will be encouraged to personalise every aspect inside and out, with sustainable materials available for those who don’t fancy leather. Modern, smartphone-compatible infotainment will be standard on all eMastereds, so it’ll be the ideal commuter. David Brown Automotive says this latest Mini ‘raises the bar for owners seeking a modern classic that offers a clean, quiet, and convenient driving experience.’ Kudos to whoever in the team went for ivory over tan, too - works a treat.
The first eMastered will be revealed later this autumn, at which point we’ll probably know a little more about the price. Given a Remastered with an engine was £93,000 last time we checked, we’d have to assume similar this time around. And that’s before going crazy with the customisation, of course. But we all know that the demand seemingly exists already for doing retro EVs a bit differently, from Range Rovers to old 911s - it’s only right for there to be a classic Mini along for the fun, too.
I'm sure there have been a few electric Mini conversions offering range more like 50 or 60-odd miles, though, so I guess they're getting better for those that like them.
I presume they all get sold abroad to places where no one checks.
The chap on here that lost his registration for putting a bolt hole through the monocoque when putting a motor in his must have views on this!
Personally, an electric-converted classic doesn't appeal much but, for someone living in London who wants something fun and interesting to nip about it, I can see why it might appeal.
- Ex Works means excluding VAT/local sales taxes, duties, registration fees and shipping from Silverstone, United Kingdom.
I'm sure there have been a few electric Mini conversions offering range more like 50 or 60-odd miles, though, so I guess they're getting better for those that like them.
The concept is perfect for an EV though, light weight, enough range for its intended / likely use. But haven't Honda tried it with the e and does not seemed to have sold well
A small car that is unlikely to be driven big distances does not need the weight / cost of a big battery pack but the media seemed to have focused in on range as big as possible whatever the vehicles likely use and the public have bought it hook line and sinker
For the money I'd have a real IC mini and a Polestar or Audi e-tron or similar
It’s selling the dream to loaded blokes; buy this for your non-working but still very very busy mistress so she can zip around town to the shops, cafes, gym etc with effortless style. And hopefully she’ll be grateful resulting in special rewards for your good self you randy old cad.
Range is spot on for its intended use, lack of DC fast charging however prevents it doing more, something you can't say of the honda e, abarth 500e and Mazda mx30 which all get criticised for their short range.
tloads of cash and DB only need to find a few of those who want one.Those folk wont necessarily be in this country, and I think a UK based company re-manufacturing and electrifying a genuine British classic is actually pretty cool.
We need to think in terms of someone who perhaps lives in a five/ten ? million quid plus house, has loads of other cars and for whom 150 grand or more is not a big spend. They buy one of these and leave it on charge, then its ready for short hops into town to maybe nip and get bread and milk, maybe nip to a local pub for lunch or whatever. It is ideal for a lot of short, local trips like that where you dont want say a Range Rover and having to park it.
Some of the details do jar, like those rear lights but at that kind of money you commission one and can I expect specify exactly what you want, could go for an Italian job replica, and reenact the first 40 minutes or so of the film until you need to stick it on charge.
It was never going to be a value option, definitely one for the very wealthy who need to nip to Waitrose.
Are they still making that XK/DB5 knock off ? Haven't seen many of those either...
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