If you've been lusting after the all-electric Mini-E that BMW unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show, now's your chance to get one. BMW is looking for 500 lucky people it says will "make motoring history" field-testing the car during a "year-long research project."

Of course, some restrictions apply.

The first is you've gotta have $850 a month to cover the lease. You have to live in New York, New Jersey or Southern California, because those are the only places BMW is deploying the sweet little EV. And you've got to apply through the Mini-E website by Dec. 10.

But wait. There's more.

BMW doesn't want anyone molesting its cars, so you must have a secure garage in which to plug in your plug-in. If the wiring isn't up to snuff, you get to pay for the upgrades. That shouldn't be a problem, though, because if you've got a private garage in Manhattan, you probably aren't hurting for cash.

And then there's the fine print. Before BMW hands you the keys, you must agree to a closed lease and surrender the car and its charging equipment the minute the lease is up. BMW covers collision insurance, but you cover the liability. That shouldn't be too expensive, though, because only those with spotless records get behind the wheel of a Mini-E.

The leasing program is basically an extended R&D project for BMW, which hopes to further develop the lithium-ion battery and electric drivetrain with an eye toward production. That means you get to complete a bunch of surveys, maintain a detailed log and bring your Mini-E in for a check-up after six months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. And don't forget — your Mini-E will be outfitted with a GPS device so the engineers in Munich know exactly what you're doing with their pride and joy.

Meet all these requirements and you may be just the person BMW is looking for. Good luck!

Photos by Jim Merithew/Wired.com

See Also: