Scoop: ’07 Cooper S to Drop Over 180lbs

Sections: R56 (Hatch) Jul 25th, 2006 63 Comments

MotoringFile Exclusive: As we mentioned last week the MCS will be going on a thorough 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 report that the next generation MCS will weigh at least 180 pounds lighter than the current car. We’re told that a healthy portion of that savings will be from the new aluminum block – the best place to take weigh considering vehicle dynamics. That figure, combined with the increased power (175bhp) and better weight balance, should give the car a noticeable performance boost over the current R53.

The Cooper will see less of a weight reduction since it’s coming from a lower weight than the current MCS. However expect it to have a similar percentage of weight shed.

We’ll be rolling out new facts and figures on the next generation MINI everyday for the next week on MotoringFile. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more. And for expanded coverage of the new car browse MotoringFile’s R56 and R55 sections.

Written By: Gabe

tony T

Gabe: Go to this page: http://www.tritecmotors.com.br/english/motors/16L.htm# click on the Cooper S engine, when the page loads (larger picture of the S engine) click on ‘Technical Data’, bottom of the pop up page, reads 118kgs.

Then click on the Cooper Engine, wait for the page to load (larger picture of a Cooper engine), then Technical Data, bottom of the pop up page it reads 104kgs…

These weigths seem fine tooo me, but the weight of the new engine quoted at 130kgs..? Could this not be the error..?

I’m happy to accept any measure of appreciable weight loss, doesnt have to be ’180lbs’. So if its 150lbs lighter, you win too. If its less than 100lbs, I’ll think about it.

Dont get me wrong, I’ll be very glad to see this car weighing a lot less, but if the engine weigths are correct as stated in these docs, then theres even more weight saved somewhere else… and I cant see how, unless they are doing something very drastic. As the Mini isnt a great profit maker in terms of manufacturing cost, I’d be surprised to see it investing so much in producing a lightweight ‘standard’ car.

It puts me in mind of the M3 CSL. It was only 210lbs lighter than the standard car, yet cost Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£15k more and had trick CF roof etc etc…
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Good reasoning Tony – but I’ll just say one thing. Your comments will be interesting to read in a few months time – trust me on this one :)
tony T

I was rather hoping details would be published a lot sooner… :-(
MillieTheMini

“IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m not understanding the comment/wish for the MINI to attain a 50-50 weight distro.

Has any FWD auto achieved 50-50, or anywhere near that? DonÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t see how it would be possible with the engine, transmission, battery, drive all positioned at the very front of the car, and little if any weight towards the back.”

Oh, my comments were with regards to hoping that the 2007 MINI moves closer to the ‘ideal’ of 50-50 weight distribution – not that it will, but with word of a lighter engine, that should shift more weight behind the front wheels, or at least less weight above them.

Putting the battery back to the front, (approx 10-15lbs?) won’t help much, but if it’s put behind the front axle, that should minimize the effect.

We can hope and wish, can’t we? Very soon we will know for sure!! :-)
MINIAC

From MINI2 report:

Despite the lighter engine block and other efforts to keep the bulge to a minimum, the Cooper S has also put on weight, around 10kg, whereas the Cooper (unavailable to drive) has trimmed down a little.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Bizarre considering some of my sources. I’m pretty sure the 22lbs figure isn’t correct.
tony T

I’ve been fed too many ‘nudge nudge wink wink’ lines from a certain ‘Mini HQ insider’ to believe they do much more than serve the tea and clean the toilets down there… :-(
http://xp.solidhelium.com Lucas

Ouch, I was really hoping that Gabe’s sources were right and the new models will be quite a bit lighter than the current one.

I guess Gabe owes Tony a case of beer!! Haha.
http://www.trackfaq.com Miniak

That is a bummer. Maybe the tech specs are wrong instead…? ;)
66CooperS

So far I’m going the “performance/mileage by subtraction” route on my “03 MCS: 2 Rear Seat Backs 29.188 lbs. 1 Rear Seat Base 9.214 1 Cargo Top Tray 2.821 2 Seat/Shoulder Belt Assemblys 7.936 1 Service Jack 5.291 1 Ash Tray .044 1 Tow Hook Kit .749

Total, So Far 55.214 lbs subtracted
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

That is a bummer. Maybe the tech specs are wrong insteadÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦? ;)

(A) no official specs have been released and (B) I think the final figure may surprise you.
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