A Two-Wheeled MINI?

BMW has taken the popularity of the MINI and applied it to a new electric scooter. Then they aimed it squarely at the urban hipster set. Which begs the question: Just because you can…should you?

BMW chose the kooky supermodel Agyness Deyn to help them launch their new electric powered scooter, which telegraphs – at least to U.K. hipsters – that they are aiming the scooter squarely at them.

Design-wise, the scooter is unmistakably patterned on the MINI Cooper. Power-wise, it’s fairly standard, with a lithium-ion battery, 5-meter charging cable and a plug designed to fit all conventional/domestic sockets. No word on speed or battery range, however.

What sets this scooter apart is its oh-so-hip electronic gadgetry. Exhibit A: a Smartphone adapter used as the ignition; you effectively plug in your phone to make it go. Exhibit B: the Smartphone adapter has a valuable back-end application to it, as BMW can download all of the data on your journeys, much like they’ve done recently in testing the MINI E vehicle, which can later be applied to their marketing strategies. Clever, eh? Exhibit C: A Bluetooth-enabled helmet, which encourages riders to wear the thing but makes it too easy to become distracted by incoming calls.Whatever happened to the pure joy of simple motoring?

Naturally, BMW is planning a host of styling and clothing accessories, as well as the inevitable scooter phone apps, whatever form they may take.

Not being an urban hipster myself, it’s hard for me to pass judgment on the MINI Scooter. Should be interesting to see what its sales will say.