Paris motor show 2010: Mini Scooter E

Mini has revealed a trio of retro-styled scooter concepts at the Paris motor show.

Dubbed the Mini Scooter E Concept, the all-electric concepts initially comes in three liveries: Mini E, British Racing Green and a look inspired by the Mod era.

See the official pics of the new Mini scooter concepts - plus pics of the British Racing Green version at the Paris motor show

A lithium-ion battery powers an electric motor mounted in the rear wheel.

No range or performance figures have been quoted by Mini for the zero-emissions concepts, but the scooter can be recharged at a power socket using an on-board retractable charging cable stored in the rear fairing.

Mini claims the design of its scooters is carried over from its car range and the concepts and their looks can help widen the appeal of Mini and bring the brand to a younger audience.

Read more on the electric Smart scooter

Mini design features carried over include the central speedometer and the front light designs.

To operate the concepts, the rider locks in their smartphone to the central speedo and this acts as a vehicle key, display and central control element.

The smartphone can be operated on the move to act as a sat-nav, music player or as a phone itself and can be connected via Bluetooth to the rider’s helmet.

Mini claims this creates a network between rider, scooter and smartphone that “paves the way for numerous new interactive functions”.

Chas Hallett blog: What's going on in Mini's design studio?

This includes a tie-up with Google Maps where the rider can view the position of other scooters in the vicinity; they can then connect to each other and be invited to ride together.See all the latest Mini reviews, news and video