February 15, 2005
More Speculation about the next MINI...
This is the second time I've heard that the Cooper will be turbocharged. Personally, I don't see it happening. Why make the Cooper a de-tuned Cooper S? It makes more sense to keep the One a de-tuned Cooper.
I'm not buying this either...
A turbo and a NA Cooper? A lower powered Cooper when it's not getting much of a power boost in the first place?
Not really a 'key feature' for me, and I'm guessing that this could be the 'feature' that's causing all the problems.
Read the full article here, from the Bangkok Post.
Erik...
The One will produce 115hp and 164Nm of torque (up from 89 and 103), the Cooper 143hp and 247Nm of torque (up from 113 and 110), and the Cooper S 168hp (the same as today's offering). No torque figure is available yet for the S.Nor does it make sense that the base Cooper engine will be turbocharged, with just a small bump in power, unless, the new engine isn't as nice as we had hoped it would be.
The One's 1.6-litre unit will be naturally aspirated, while both Cooper and Cooper S will get turbochargers
I'm not buying this either...
But also under consideration is a plan to add a second, lower-powered Cooper model, powered by the non-turbo One engine. Fitting between the One and Cooper, it could allow Mini to increase prices for the high-output Cooper and S and fill the gap with a more affordable second Cooper model.
A turbo and a NA Cooper? A lower powered Cooper when it's not getting much of a power boost in the first place?
Key features of the new engines are much better fuel economy and emissions, which will help Mini parent BMW hit the car industry's tough voluntary target of reducing average C02 emissions for all its cars to 140g/km by 2008. The new engines are said to be 10% more efficient.
Not really a 'key feature' for me, and I'm guessing that this could be the 'feature' that's causing all the problems.
Read the full article here, from the Bangkok Post.
Erik...
Comments:
I don't know...I think I'd drive a lower power car if it meant I'd get kick a$$ gas mileage. The MINI One D, for example, would be in my driveway if it were sold in the state.
Interesting. Too bad it doesn't look like there will be any plans for retrofitting existing engines being that they are developing an entirely new power plant. Oh well, looks like my Cooper will always be a slower car but it’s still fast enough for me (I normally drive a 60hp Ford Aspire for god’s sake).
Reading that article makes me appreciate the current body styling. It doesn't sound like the newer front end will look as clean as our current cars. I think the one piece bonnet adds a certain classic look that you seem only get with the Corvette or older Jaguars.
I think I'll keep my car.
Post a Comment
Reading that article makes me appreciate the current body styling. It doesn't sound like the newer front end will look as clean as our current cars. I think the one piece bonnet adds a certain classic look that you seem only get with the Corvette or older Jaguars.
I think I'll keep my car.
