THE

new electric Mini, pictured — due early next year — is like go-karting hell-for leather. I’ve been charging around the track in one for an exclusive first drive, doing tighter slaloms than an Olympic skier.

It’ll be built in Oxford from November — providing there’s a Brexit deal, though BMW bosses are considering switching to Holland or Germany if the negotiations end in no deal. I drove a near production-ready version. Acceleration is rapid because of minimal resistance between the power and the motor.

Whizzing silently though an assault course of cones and tight corners, this Mini came into its own. Expect prices from about £23,000 after the taxpayer-funded subsidy for electric vehicles. Mini boffins say a 50kW fast charger will cover 80 per cent of charge in 40 minutes.