An electrified version of the original Mini has been revealed at the New York motor show. Based on a late version of the first Mini that has been completely restored, the car’s original four-cylinder engine has been swapped for a pure electric powerplant. Mini said the finished car mixes “the brand’s unmistakable character whilst embracing zero local-emission technology”.

That the show car comes one year before Mini launches its first series production electric model, which will be based on the three-door car, is no coincidence. As Mini engineers are working to move the car towards production, the brand’s marketing department is working to increase awareness of Mini’s upcoming model.

The one-off Classic Mini Electric has been produced to show how the original city car recipe can be adapted to feature the very latest in drive technology. Mini boss Sebastian Mackensen recently told our sister publication Autocar UK that this tactic takes the brand back to its core values, making next year’s production car launch “pivotal” to its future.

“We always joke and say if Issigonis was to invent the Mini today, it would definitely be an electric car,” said Mackensen. “It is the answer to current challenges, as the original Mini was in 1959.”

The Mini Electric, first previewed by the Mini Electric concept of 2017, has been spotted testing on various occasions.