Mini Cooper by Castagna : 2007

The luxury of not polluting. Travelling silently, going where other vehicles have to stop. On the occasion of the Geneva Motor Show, Castagna Milano unveiled a functional application of our technology, based on a MINI. From today, all their creations can be equipped with hybrid engines

Retaining the vehicle's original mechanical and propulsion systems, a strengthened suspension system and an electronically controlled electric motor are fitted at the rear of the vehicle, allowing the driver to select the propulsion method he/she desires.

The latest generation batteries, managed by a specially developed on-board resource optimisation programme, guarantee a maximum range of up to 200km, at a top speed of approximately 140 km/h. The combustion engine can be used to power the vehicle on the open road, or as a generator to charge the batteries. A special digital instrument panel fitted to the vehicle allows the driver to check the battery charge level, the remaining range and the operating mode in use.

Thanks to a dashboard-mounted control, the driver can select either conventional or electrical mode, battery power or the utilisation of the combustion engine as a generator. There are two control options for managing the on-board electrical resources: CITY or SPEED. The former reduces consumption in order to ensure maximum range (200km) and limiting the maximum speed to 70 km/h. In SPEED mode, the top speed increases to slightly more than 130 km/h, giving a maximum range of approximately 120 km.

The batteries are guaranteed for a period of 5 years and they can be fully charged in 6 hours through a domestic power outlet.

(text & photos courtesy of Castagna Milano).