Comments on: Scoop: 2007 MINIs Trim Down & Speed Up

By: Mini Cooper 2007: MÃƒÂ¡s potente y ligero

Mini Cooper 2007: MÃƒÂ¡s potente y ligero — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 11:36:48 +0000

[...] VÃ�’Âa | autoblog.it MÃ�’Â¡s informaciÃ�’Â³n | Motoringfile En MotorpasiÃ�’Â³n | Mini 2007: cÃ�’Â³mo actualizarse sin dejar de ser retro, El 2007 Mini Cooper S sin camuflaje [...]

By: Ed Lightfoot

Ed Lightfoot — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 03:20:40 +0000

The new MINI Cooper S and 2 BMW’s are in Lancaster CA undergoing testing I assume, as they are clad with plastic fascias front and back. Due to the high heat we are having guess they are testing cooling. All MINI’S and BMW’s are all black and I have not been able to snap a picture yet but hope to get one soon. They test up here often and I have even seen the new Bently?

By: MotoringFile » Archive » Scoop: 2007 Cooper S Torque Figures

MotoringFile » Archive » Scoop: 2007 Cooper S Torque Figures — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:39:39 +0000

[...] We know that the 2007 MINI Cooper S will have 175bhp, but how about torque? From what our (always reliable) sources are telling us, the ‘07 MCS will have 175lb-ft of peak torque with it’s new BMW design 1.6L turbocharged engine. Even better, the torque curve shoots up sharply at the low-end and then levels off throughout the band. And turbo lag is basically non-existant. [...]

By: RandomRay

RandomRay — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 10:30:30 +0000

Using the UK numbers ...

Old MC: 115hp @ 1150kg = 100hp/tonne MCS: 170hp @ 1215kg = 144hp/tonne

New MC: 120hp @ 1068kg = 112hp/tonne MCS: 175hp @ 1133kg = 154hp/tonne

Nice

By: lasersailor

lasersailor — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 21:35:23 +0000

Gabe (or other knowledgeable participants):

The weight reduction is really exciting.

I know math is hard (except for "Rainman" Todd), but can someone with access to published curb weights figure out the relative improvement in power-to-weight ratios between the R50/R53 MC and MCS and the R56, assuming that the new models have 120/175BHP and weigh 180 pounds less?

Thanks.

By: MotoringFile » Archive » Scoop: 2007 Cooper S to Drop 180lbs!

MotoringFile » Archive » Scoop: 2007 Cooper S to Drop 180lbs! — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 18:47:01 +0000

[...] As we mentioned last week the MCS will be going on a serious diet when the next generation rolls out in a few months. However until now we’ve only heard rumblings of what the final figure would be. We can now confirm that the next generation MCS will weight in 180 pounds lighter than the current car. We’re told that much of that savings will be from the new aluminum block – the best place to take weight considering vehicle dynamics. That figure combined with the increased power (175bhp) and better weight balance should give the car a noticable performance boost over the current R53. [...]

By: Brad Fox

Brad Fox — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 18:52:39 +0000

Will there be a non-turbo Mini for 2007 for the U.S. market?

By: vanderspunk

vanderspunk — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 02:05:49 +0000

So 175 bhp for the S.

How much with the JCW?

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:41:58 +0000

Something else occured to me, will the new models have the equal length drive shafts still?

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:30:52 +0000

So the 140 HP Cooper doesn't exist?

Or is MINI planning a JCW Cooper & a JCW MCS?

Hmmmmmmm....

By: Gabe

Gabe — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 13:40:26 +0000

The 120bhp engine will not include a turbo. Here's an excerpt from the official release we posted a few years back:

With its compression ratio of 11:1, the naturally aspirated power unit develops maximum output of 85 kW/115 bhp at 5,700 rpm and revs up to a maximum speed of 6,500 rpm. Engine displacement of this four-cylinder is 1.6 litres, with torque reaching 140 Nm or 103 lb-ft at just 2,000 rpm and peaking at 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm. The wide useful engine speed range provided in this way offers an optimum combination of driving pleasure and fuel economy from this compact power unit.

Fully variable valve management as well as a wide range of features extending from the fully controlled oil and water pumps all the way to the optimisation of friction losses make this normal-aspiration power unit one of the most efficient engines throughout its entire segment, even including engines with direct gasoline injection.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 13:14:01 +0000

John, that opens another question. If the 120hp is indeed a turbo, will there be a JCW kit for it? Now THAT would would be a kick.

By: John

John — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 12:26:00 +0000

I thought I read on this site that both Mini’s will be turbocharged. Is it confirmed that the 120hp engine is indeed normally aspirated? If it is a turbo I am sure many will buy the 120hp and chip it saving thousands over the MCS…..I guess that would be too good to be true.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 02:33:02 +0000

Anyone know what octane fuel these will require? I wonder what the combination of less weight and a turbo will mean for improved fuel economy?

By: Brent

Brent — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 01:06:08 +0000

Glad I turned down the GP. My wife was right for once!

By: Soddhartha

Soddhartha — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 00:16:45 +0000

AWD & 250-270 bhp will bring me back to the showroom. The rest is just eye candy and window dressing.

By: JD7

JD7 — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 23:18:43 +0000

So Gabe, this is who you sold those JCW wheels to? I hope thats an S and not a “base cooper”.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 22:49:15 +0000

I’m guessing pricing for the US market probably won’t be finalized until this fall.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 22:43:30 +0000

Like someone else mentioned Gabe are there any rumors going around about the base price for this new version? I’m expecting it to be at least 1k more then the current version but with a few odd’s and end’s now standard on the S. Mike

By: mr.abulia

mr.abulia — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:57:22 +0000

-Speculation- -Continued use of aluminum suspension components from GP Ed.? -Aluminum Hood? Or maybe just simplified to make it lighterÃ¢â‚¬Â¦? -Aluminum doors? (Unlikely)

If BMW uses any of their technology from the 5 and 3 series, expect an aluminum frame around the engine compartment and possibly behind the passenger compartment. That would save a significant amount of weight in and of itself: it is how they have managed to keep a 50:50 weight ratio on their current generation of road cars. It makes repairs much more difficult, but before you smash 'em up the cars drive better than ever!