My wife and I met Client Advisor Roger Bader at MINI of Monrovia late Friday morning as we had been alerted the evening before that our car had arrived. A thorough review, inside and out, followed with the able assistance of Client Advisor Leon Levy. These gents we’ll no doubt be getting to know better as the trial continues.

A short visit with the financial department followed – then out the doors of the showroom (literally) and onto the 210 for the 15 minute drive back to Pasadena. That first drive was, in a word, exhilarating – and I now have a complete appreciation for the comments from some fellow pioneers about resisting the urge to put the occasional heavy pedal to the metal as this car, especially when up to speed, wants to GO!

As for those automotive journalists who say that this MINI has lost the sporty soul and sheer driving fun of it’s combustion driven cousins, I say you need to get back behind the wheel and get to know what this ultimate green driving machine is all about.

When I came back from the test drive and silently glided up next to the curb where the other MINI E Pioneers stood alternately chatting and staring, the BMW MINI E rep was quick to ask, “what did you think about the torque?” “Quick off the line” I responded without hesitation  – and was reminded that equivalent HP was just over 200. Like I said, quick.

So, what was the car like to drive you ask? In a word, exhilarating! When is the last time you stepped on the gas (need to change this moniker ASAP) and felt the rush of instant acceleration? Let me suggest, never. The cabin is whisper quiet – road noise minimal. The MINI E, not surprisingly, is a solid, airtight little package.

Here’s the cool part. Ease your foot off the “go” pedal, and the car immediately begins to brake regenerating electricity – a neat touch. Take your foot off the pedal completely, and the car brakes gently to a complete stop – even the brake lights go on without having to actually “touch” the brake pedal. Nice. In fact, as was pointed out, the less you actually use the brake in real world driving, the better – as you will increase battery life by learning to feather – something Prius owners know a little something about. I think I used the actual brake pedal once during my entire drive.

But, what does it FEEL like? Disneyland fans may remember the first time you hopped into an Autotopia Car in Tomorrowland. If memory serves, you jammed the gas pedal and zoomed (all of about 7 MPH) thanks to Kawasaki’s 286 cc overhead valve engine. It felt like “instant acceleration” and it helped to be a kid who had always dreamed of driving his parent’s Mustang. And when you took your foot off the gas, I seem to remember that you slowed down – no regeneration mind you, but that’s what I recall.

It looks like deliveries on the car start in another 2 to 3 weeks as soon as the city signs off on the power cord – the last bump in the road we’re told.