Mini Synergy E-Drive | Motoring | Life

1 Twist the key, and the silence from the engine bay is eerie. The electric motor produces 116bhp and 190Nm of torque, which is enough for 0-60mph in 10 seconds. With a single-speed gearbox and all that torque available from a standstill, the E-drive is easy to use in town, and feels quicker than the figures suggest. 2 Inside, there's a chunky central switch to select forward, reverse or park, and a large LCD screen on the dash which shows real-time performance data. There's full wireless broadband, too, as well as an iPlay music player, which allows songs to be streamed wirelessly from your MP3 player to the stereo. 3 The 78 lithium-polymer cells make it around 100kg heavier than the standard model – and there's no disguising that on the road. The car feels a little sluggish when changing direction and less responsive under braking, but those really are the only discernable differences.