Recharged by Paul Smith is a classic Mini converted into an EV

MANILA: A legendary classic is transformed into a modern electric car for emissions-free driving.

Sir Paul Smith, a designer that has been in business of over 50 years, is the creative mind behind the Mini Recharged. The presentation of this sustainable project at the Salone Del Mobile 2022 in Milan provided a fitting stage for Sir Paul Smith and Head of Mini Design Oliver Heilmer to discuss sustainable approaches to automotive design. 

"Three things describe this car perfectly: quality, sustainability and functionality," the designer explained. "This car also respects the past,” Smith added.

The one-off Mini Recharged is based on Smith's former project, the 1998 Mini Paul Smith Edition, limited to 1,800 vehicles. The prototype of this unique edition was painted a bright blue based on a swatch taken from one of Paul Smith’s favorite shirts. The Recharged retains this shade of blue, while the lime green battery box recalls a 1990s color palette. 

Similar to the Mini Strip concept car that was also designed by Smith, the Mini Recharged also features a sustainable and minimalist interior. By deliberately leaving out trim parts, the bodyshell with its bare floor pan remains, but rustic floor mats made of recycled rubber have been added as the interior material.

Paul Smith's design leaves out entire instruments in other places: a magnet next to the steering wheel accommodates the smartphone, which, apart from the speedometer, replaces almost all the old buttons and functions on the dashboard. The steering wheel in his exclusive model can be completely removed to ease getting in and out of the car. 

The engineers from Recharged Heritage Limited are also responsible for making the Mini Recharged. The new carmaker's partner gave the classic Mini an emission-free 72-kilowatt electric motor. 

To showcase the unique design at the Salone del Mobile 2022 in Milan, the Paul Smith showroom will wear the vivid colors of the Mini Recharged. At the Salone del Mobile, visitors will have the opportunity to see the Recharged as well as last year’s Strip model for themselves.

More details about the Mini Recharged project and new partner Recharged Heritage Limited will be revealed soon, the carmaker said in a statement. 

Photos from Mini

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