BMW is providing a sneak peek of their Megacity Vehicle electric “runabout” expected in 2013. Will this be the next Mini E as well?

Call it the MCV, BMW’s Megacity Vehicle is a zero-emission electric runabout (guess they’re reluctant to call it an ultimate driving machine) that seems to borrow heavily from the 1-series. But that’s about the only heavy thing about it. The carbon-fiber/plastic composite material in the body will completely offset the added weight of the heavy lithium-ion battery, which is somewhere between 550-750 lbs.!

Rumors have it that it will be a rear-wheel-drive format with something around 170hp and a dynamic wheel load transfer system and to make sure that every bit of power is transferred to the road. The better to slip through traffic like a ninja with an expected range of 100 miles.

BMW may not market this ”runabout” as a BMW, helping to maintain the brand’s purity, but it may find its way into the MINI line-up. Remember the MINI E? They put 600 MINI E’s on American roads to gauge customer response and driving habits. What they’ve learned is that most MINI E drivers are a lot like most MINI drivers in that most of their trips are shorter than 30 miles. Round trip. That means a 100 mile range is more than sufficient for the buyers of this car. By out-styling Chevy’s Volt and Nissan’s Leaf electric offerings – and vastly under-pricing Tesla’s current $100K electric model - the new runabout looks promising indeed.