Milan will see the “recharged” model in metal.
Mini, the British automaker, and Paul Smith, the iconic designer are back with another project. The Mini Recharged is a redesign of the 1998 Mini Paul Smith Edition. It features both a nod towards the past and a look into the future.
Smith wanted to preserve the original Mini’s design ethos by restoring the 1998 Mini Paul Smith Edition model. This was a one-off project. The styling of Sir Alec Issigonis on the two-door’s bodywork has not been changed, which gives the recharged mini a classic, unassuming appearance.
The one-off EV is a Paul Smith Edition and comes with bright blue paint. This shirt was reportedly Smith’s favorite. The battery box is finished in lime green, a color that recalls the ’90s.
Sir Paul Smith said, “When you move into the old aunt’s apartment, out of respect, you don’t make any changes, but you do some modernizing.”
The Mini Recharged is designed in the same minimalistic way as the Mini Strip, which was shown in Munich last year. Paul Smith was also responsible for the design of the concept. He applied it to this bespoke project.
The Mini’s body shell is still unclad, with only recycled rubber mats covering the metal. A magnet is located near the steering wheel that can hold a smartphone. This replaces all buttons on the dashboard, except the speedometer. To make it easier to ingress and exit, the steering wheel can be removed completely.
The to EV conversion was done by engineers from “Recharged Heritage Limited”, who installed a 72-kilowatt motor. The range of the one-off EV is not known.
Paul Smith’s Mini Recharged will be on display in metal at Salone del Mobile 2022, Mila, along with the Mini Strip from last years.