Published: Aug 03, 2012

Mini MINIs Play Fetch at the Olympics

Quarter-scale remote-controlled battery-powered Minis ferry field equipment during the Games.

As 160 BMW 1 Series ActiveE models and 40 MINI Es are currently whizzing athletes and officials around the Olympic Park and Games sites, a trio of Mini MINIs are being readied to assist during field events at the Olympic Stadium. The specially designed radio-controlled EV will ferry javelins, discuses, hammers and shots back from the field to the throwing areas. Three models, roughly a quarter scale of the full-size car, will carry out this essential task operated by specially trained Games Makers, as the officials are known.

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"The MINI team was thrilled to be given this challenge to develop a vehicle with such an important and high profile role during the Olympic and Paralympic Games," commented Dr. Juergen Hedrich, Managing Director of MINI Plant Oxford. "I know that everybody was inspired by the challenge and the knowledge that these models will be seen in action by millions of people around the world." Finished in True Blue paintwork with orange London 2012 Games livery and white roof, the battery-powered Mini MINI is 1,100mm long, weighs just 25kg thanks to a lightweight composite bodyshell, and can carry up to 8kg.

That's the equivalent of a single hammer, discus or two javelins. Equipment is accessible via a removable sunroof, while other exterior design features include door handles, mirrors, windscreen wipers and functioning headlights. A 10-horsepower electric motor drives the pint-sized Minis, which can sustain 35 minutes of continuous usage and be fully recharged in 80 minutes.

by Adam Lynton
Mini MINIs Play Fetch at the Olympics

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Mini MINIs Play Fetch at the Olympics

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