CARS WE CARE ABOUT #1 - MINI E

Refreshment is in order. After the '10 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan nearly put you to sleep, the '09 Pontiac G6 convertible frustrated you to a more wakeful place. Now that you desperately want to read about innovative transportation solutions that neither bore nor offend, check out all 35 pictures of the Mini E below.

204 horsepower will be sent to the front wheels of this BMW-developed Briton. A high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides a range of 150 miles or so, but only to a few select customers in New York and California. They'll pay handsomely to lease the electric Mini but they'll enjoy Cooper-like acceleration and a top speed nearing 100mph.

The battery sits behind the front seats. Do the math: there are no rear seats. For the true techies, this is what Mini says about the technology: "The lithium-ion storage unit will have a maximum capacity of 35 kilowatt hours (kWh) and transmit energy to the electric motor as direct current at a nominal 380 volts. The rechargeable battery is made up of 5,088 cells grouped into 48 modules. These modules are packaged into three battery elements that are compactly arranged inside the Mini E."

Curious as to the high-horsepower Mini's inability to out-accelerate the Cooper S? That turbocharged car is significantly lighter on its toes. In fact, that Mini's 172 horsepower must tote around 551 fewer pounds, thus enabling 0-60mph times nearly two seconds quicker.

500 cars will be used for this commercial/experimental exercise. All Mini Es will undergo a service & inspection every six months or 3000 miles. Don't turn up your skeptic's nose at the cost or rarity just yet. The Mini E bodes well for the world as a whole. We just need patience. Check out other cars we care about today here, and here, and here.