White Roof Radio Interview: Gert Hildebrand, Marcus Syring and Oliver Sieghart
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One of the surprises to come out of Detroit was how many journalists loved the idea of the Beachcomber. The reaction to the concept was overwhelmingly positive to the point that we wonder if MINI is actually considering building the car. Since it’s not prohibitively expensive to reengineer the R60 crossover into something like the Beachcomber, MINI could get away with a relatively low volume to get back their initial investment. So the potential is there. But would you, as the MINI enthusiast, ever considering buying one? Let’s hear it below:
(Look below for the full release just published hours after this was originally posted).
Over the last few days we’ve been able to get a clearer focus on MINI’s pending 2011 model year refresh and confirm much of what sources had been telling us for over a year. And now that some of the details have started to slip onto the web, we can now start divulging much of what we know. While there will be a host of exterior design changes and interior improvements (look for these in future stories), MINI plans to raise power on some models and efficiency across the board. But in an interesting move, MINI will bring the updated powerplants online and into production starting with March 2010. The refresh shouldn’t start production until August of 2010 (as 2011 models).
Starting with the One MINI is dropping the 1.4L and replacing it with a ultra efficient version of the Cooper’s 1.6L powerplant. With 97 bhp (up from 94) and over 36 mpg (43 mpg imperial). On the Cooper MINI will be eek out another couple hp and should hit atleast 120 hp (122 bhp) and 118 ft lbs of torque. However any efficiency changes should be minimal since the 1.6L used on that car has had Valvetronic since its launch in 2006.
The Cooper S on the other hand is where the big news is. As we’ve confirmed at Detroit, MINI will be adding BMW’s Valvetronic system which continuously variates timing (on both intake and exhaust camshafts) intake valve lift. Valvetronic-equipped engines are unique in that they rely on the amount of valve lift to throttle the engine rather than a butterfly valve in the intake tract. In other words, in normal driving, the “gas pedal” controls the Valvetronic hardware rather than the throttle plate. It’s a small distinction but one that has served BMW well since it’s introduction in 2001.
With this change power is up to 181 bhp or 179 hp. Torque is up as well at 177ft lbs. However those numbers may go up or down before the official announcement in early February. Efficiency will also be up (due to Valvetronic) by around 10%
Finally MINI will be turning the wick up on the JCW powerplant. With Valvetronic added to the current JCW engine, power should rise to around 215 bhp (approximately 212 hp in the US). Along with all the previously mentioned refresh changes, the JCW will also get a few spec changes that we’ll tell you about in the coming days.
That was quick. No sooner had we reported on the engine refresh than MINI sent out an official press release with all the facts and figures we were expecting. We’ll have more on the rest of the refresh (due in August 2010) in the coming weeks. And look for more JCW specific information closer to the March launch.
Note for our US readers, MINI does not intend to bring any new models to your shores.
Performance, efficiency and driving fun – MINIMALISM offers more of everything. The MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible will line up in 2010 with an extensively revised range of petrol engines, a move that sees the MINI brand building consistently on its position as the world’s leading maker of inspiringly sporty and exceptionally economical premium small cars. At the same time, all petrol MINI models will meet the EU5 exhaust emissions standard in Europe and the ULEV II standard in the USA from spring 2010. A fresh addition to the model range is the new MINI One Convertible. Powered by a low-fuel consumption and low-emissions four-cylinder engine producing 72 kW/98 hp, the new model offers an extremely economical way to enjoy that typical MINI go-kart feeling in soft-top form.
Targeted powertrain modifications further enhance the relationship between performance and CO2 emissions in all petrol-engined MINI models. An outstanding example of the progress made is the MINI Cooper S, whose new 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine now develops 135 kW/184 hp (an increase of 7 kW) yet emits only 136 grams of CO2 per kilometre in the EU test cycle – 13 g/km less than its predecessor. The MINI Cooper and MINI One also take the balance of driving fun and CO2 emissions to another new level. The new MINI One MINIMALISM Line, available with two engine variants, has the lowest emissions values of any petrol MINI, using optimised engine technology, Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start Stop function, Shift Point Display and other MINIMALISM measures to achieve a CO2 figure of 119 g/km. continued →
Todd and Gabe with Mr. McDowell talking from the inside of a JCW Clubman at the NAIAS in Detroit. The spend a lot of time talking about the Beachcomber concept and what it means to MINI.
Interview with Gert and the rest of the design team to follow later today.
Interview: Jim McDowell
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Thanks to US regulations governing rear seat width, MINI will be forced to exclude the rear bench seat option for the US market. In its place will be two individual seats (somewhat replicating the front seats as we saw in the Beachcomber concept) that move fore and aft up to 13 inches. The upside is that this gives the MINI crossover one of the most comfortable seat seating layouts on the market. It also standardizes the center rail which we think will be one of the best attributes of the MINI crossover interior. The downside of course is, if you’re in the US market, your limited to a seating capacity of only four.
1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Hatch R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Hatch 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: Hatch R57: Convertible R58: Coupe R59: Roadster R60: MINI Crossover R61: MINI Crossover Coupe 3rd Gen MINI F55: Clubman F56: Hatch F57: Convertible F60: MINI Crossover F62: Traveller
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Sections: Design, Podcast Jan 14th, 2010 18 Comments 
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