When the Mini brand relaunched for 2002, we wondered how a brand built around one retro car could stay fresh for longer than a product cycle. The answer, it seems, is variants. With two body styles and a third on the way, as well as Cooper S and John Cooper Works trims, there are many Minis to choose from. And it looks like there will soon be one more: a fully electrically powered model.

While most additions to the Mini range have focused on upping performance or changing the shape and/or size, this stock-looking three-door does neither. Of course, the biggest clue to this car’s secret lies in its lack of a tailpipe. We postulate that the ‘HYBRIDErprobungsfahrzeug’ (literally ‘hybrid vehicle testing’) stickers were placed there for safety reasons during testing (high-voltage batteries require heightened caution from emergency responders) as well as to throw us auto journalists off the scent.

Do you like this article? Share It!