MINI’s Next Generation (Part 2): Fewer Cylinders & More Power

Sections: F56 Hatch Mar 16th, 2010 80 Comments

The world is changing. Cars are getting bigger batteries while efficiency standards are on the rise worldwide. Through it all BMW has decided to become not only the maker of performance oriented cars but efficient ones as well. Core to that plan is the MINI brand and the future powerplants destined for its next generation cars.

As we mentioned in Part 1 in this series last week, MINI will be launching a new generation of its core product to replace the R56 hatchback in late 2012. At the heart of this new generation of MINIs will be a new range of powerplants that will create a new benchmark for not only performance but also efficiency.

The first generation new MINI was designed and even partially engineered before an engine was even identified let alone developed for the car. Ultimately the R5X series of models made due with a Chrysler designed (and Brazilian built) iron block four cylinder that was inefficient (in modern terms) but surprisingly full of character that more than suited the car. The R56 on the other hand was given a BMW designed four cylinder that was shared with several Citroen and Puegoet models. For 2012 BMW will be giving the next generation MINI an entirely new range of engines designed and developed once again in house at BMW.

BMW is currently developing a range of highly efficient and surprisingly powerful 3 cylinder petrol turbocharged engines designed to motivate everything from the next generation MINI to BMW’s upcoming iSetta sub-brand to more than a few next generation 1 and 3 series models. And yes, for the MINI that means that some (if not all) models will eventually be moving to three cylinders as opposed to four and down at least .2 liters in capacity.

However before you get the pitchforks out, MINI has no intentions in allowing performance to be degraded by these new engines. In fact sources are telling us that horsepower and torque ratings will be up across the board despite dropping a cylinder. But that’s not all that will improve with these new powerplants. Weight will be down and efficiency improved (dramatically in some cases) on every model.

Based on information our sister site BimmerFile has obtained we expect MINI to move to a 1.35L engine range (likely labelled 1.4L) that will start with a sub 100 bhp output and go above and beyond the current MCS output of 175 bhp.

Specifically we’ve heard three configurations mentioned for use within BMW products:

122 hp/190Nm (140 ft lbs)
150 hp/220Nm (162 ft lbs)
180 hp/260Nm (192 ft lbs)

So weight is down, power and efficiency are up. But how does it sound? We asked that question of a source who’s heard the new MCS engine and got a surprising answer. You’d assume that dropping a cylinder isn’t a great thing when it comes to that low growl we all know on the current generation of MINIs. However BMW engineers are keen on this as well and have designed the new engine and exhaust in a way to produce a distinctive growl that (if sources are to be believed) sounds better than any turbocharged MINI yet.

Transmissions.

Motivating these engines as standard will be the familiar six speed getrag manual transmission. Yes MINI will continue to offer manual transmissions for the foreseeable future on all products. There have been rumors of a dual clutch gearbox replacing the current automatic transmission in some models but costs will likely be pose a big hurdle to overcome. Unlike VW (which can spread development costs across a half dozen brands and millions of cars) MINI is finding it difficult to make the math work in their favor. However we do expect to see at least one higher-end model with a dual clutch transmission over the next few years.

The extended range.

The Coupe, Roadster, Convertible and Countryman will carry on with the current generation of four cylinder engines until each product’s life-cycle ends naturally. At that point we expect MINI to introduce a new range of four cylinder power-plants (developed in conjunction with PSA) that will likely power the higher power applications (read Countryman and JCW models) for years to come.

More power. Less weight. More efficiency. Less CO2. More growl. Sounds perfect to us. Look for the 3rd generation MINI to debut sometime in late 2012 as a 2013 model. With the new range of engines.

Written By: Gabe

Don Hopings

“What is it with people and â€œautoâ€ trannyâ€™s?”

The problem is that in bad weather or on slippery surfaces, all the dual clutch setup does is shift. That is your only choice. You cannot slip the clutch as you have no control over that.
Timothy

Fiat is introducing a 0.9 liter 2 cylinder engine to the market. It uses Fiat’s new MultiAir technology, which is quite impressive. This engine will appear in the Fiat 500, for example, and could even make it to U.S. shores.

Fiat will have 85 and 105 hp variants (with turbocharging) and a 65 hp naturally aspirated variant. The 85 hp middle engine is the first to market. Fiat’s MultiAir technology is very good at maintaining low-end torque, so this engine application should work quite well.
Jason

As for smoothness, I have a 3 cyl Triumph Legend and it runs as smooth as glass…much more smooth than any other bike that I have been on with more or less cyl…when it runs of course…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1478389903 James Irmiger

I’m not worried, BMW was first and foremost, an engine manufacturer. If they’ve been doing it right since 1916, then popping out a smooth running, gutsy little 3 cylinder shouldn’t be a challenge at all.
Aaron

Wow, that’s a total surprise! I’m pretty excited about these developments. Lower weight, more power, better efficiency…can’t wait to hear more about this over the coming years. I don’t really understand the complaints. People once thought anything less than 8 cylinders was crap. Then they got used to 6 and thought 4 cylinders was for Nancy Boys. Then they loved 4 and now anything less than 4 is brand suicide? Not for MINI. I trust BMW is not going to put a crap engine in their cars.
http://www.wmandrs.com O(=^=)OCapn

I am looking around and I believe that there is only, what, maybe 4 at most here who hail from the R53 days (nice to see you Lavadera) The fans of the MINI have moved on and been replaced by others who are less tolerant.

If you think this is complaining, you should have seen the boards when the R56 came out.

I am not a fan of turbos but again it is BMW and one thing they know how to do is engineer. MINI has done a great job of breaking down barriers. That is what MINI’s do. MINI showed that hatches could be hot, they did it the first time and they continue to do it. Still, there are some things that are expected. 4 cylinders is what is expected. Of course BMW will do a great job engineering it. It will be solid, smooth, and offer great MPG. That doesn’t matter. Lets not relegate ourselves to the Ka’s and Smart-for-twos. If it is done, it needs to be done right. It needs to be so Kick @$$ that others would fear to mock it. It would need to be raced, and win. I would say the AWD MINI fits this parameter as well.

Why don’t we have an Isetta today? Oh they will bring back the name but remember an Isetta of yesteryear will in no way be what we see today.

Isetta

If we are going off the path, then lets see a Wankel. HP, Milage, torque, etc.

When in all reality, lets not kid ourselves gang, MINI only exists to bring up overall mileage for the AG. If it wasnt for the Mini, Rover would never have been bought and it would be a foot note in history.

Hugs
http://www.wmandrs.com O(=^=)OCapn

Hey Guys,

Wired is having a which car is the best and Mini is number 3. Lets get our votes there to boost it up to #1

Mini, which car is $%^& near perfect
rhysargon

well a three cylinder. my only experience with one was with my first wifes chevy geo inline 3, and believe it or not even with a 65bhp rating we would cruise the interstates at 85+, and i say plus as the gauge only went that far. the car averaged great mpg even at those speeds but getting up there was an uphill climb.

now mini/bmw is considering a 3, great i am all for it. this is a positive step. i am sure the new 3 will have all i need. however as diesel advocate for the NA , I would rather have a tdi instead of a new petrol engine.
dr

Hey Guys, Wired is having a which car is the best and Mini is number 3. Lets get our votes there to boost it up to #1 Mini, which car is $%^& near perfect

I went over there prepared to vote MINI but found the M3 on the list…..Sorry….I love my R53 but THE perfect car really is a M3 sedan
cct1

There are plusses and minuses, just like with everything. Lighter/more efficient–end result is if you put 99% of people in these cars, they wouldn’t be able to tell you if it’s three or four cylinders. In fact, I bet most (given the boost in power) would get it wrong, and think the three cylinder engine was actually four. For everyday driving, this will work out just fine. Three cylinders, while not novel, still kind of fits with the MINI quirkiness…

Potential issues: three cylinders doing the work of four–the duty cycle of the engine is radically changed. My one big concern about the engine is will it hold up over time. This is the only issue I’d have with three cylinders versus four.

This engine will definitely split the community into two groups–not necessarily a bad thing, but it will be a dividing line. Everyday drivers, the majority of people, will love this engine. Modders are going to hate it. I suspect that the three cylinder beast is SO efficient, there is very little left to be gained by mods. But BMW has done well to work around this problem by still offering a 4 cylinder on the JCW and Countryman–although I’ve been less than enthusiastic about what BMW did with the R56, I think they’ve gotten this one right.
that.guy

I love my R53 but THE perfect car really is a M3 sedan.

Really? THE perfect car? I once had some respect for your opinion, Dr. No longer.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1320962183 Matt McDougall

I love my R53 but THE perfect car really is a M3 sedan

The presence of a trunk versus a hatch is an automatic disqualification in my book.
http://motoringfile.com Tourine

Please issue a recall on your headline. The news is that these engines will have fewer cylinders, not less cylinders. They will use less fuel (not fewer fuel). The distinction between less and fewer should not be complex for a gearhead readership eager for technical details. Besides that, you have a responsibility to English speaking cultures around the world.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000710531652 Matt Richter

Who cares the number of cylinders. The number count is dropping world wide, with every manufacturer downsizing & down-revving engines to get better fuel efficiencies.

I like my little blown Tritec, but my ’92 5.0 liter ford V8 in my 65 Mustang gets very close to the same gas mileage. (before everyone dumps on this, it turns about 1750 RPM at 70 mph in 5th gear)

Times are a changing. There’s nothing magic about 4 cylinders that can’t be conquered with good engineering, design and control.

Matt
Jim W.

From one who remembers the “character” of the old Mini- we didn’t call it that back in the 70′s- this sounds like pretty awesome news. Back then I drove my Mini around the fields (and sometimes stayed on the roads) of Ireland…. not something I would do today.

I bought my R53 to get a car like the old one, and ended up with a premium small car instead of the budget-minded original.

Remember the original Mini, much like the Geo Metro I drove for a year or two, had plain interior and dash, slider windows, basic electronics, small tires – 12″?, thin doors, etc.? But you could drive the heck out of it!

Yes, let’s put a spunky 3 banger under the bonnet, trim some weight, even shrink it down a bit (I’m also an Isetta fan!).

Whatever the MINI has become- and I’m not knocking it’s variations such as the Countryman and the Coupe’, both of which I plan on buying- but whatever, the things that made the original Mini so much fun to drive, so practical and universally loved, have nothing to do with premium anything! (In my opinion, of course).

Where is all the MINI love?
Sotto

I think is great news. My only real concern is how this engines will sound. I just love my MCS engine+exhaust sound combination.
Cory

-”‘Fewer cylinders’, please.”

-”Finally, itâ€™s â€œfewer cylindersâ€ not ‘less cylinders.’”

-”The news is that these engines will have fewer cylinders, not less cylinders. “

I am relieved to see that I am not the only one displeased, and disappointed, by the title.
Gary (the other one)

@Blainestang FYI, my earlier tongue-in-cheek YouTube link was in reference to the “one cylinder” comment. ;-) Count me in the camp that thinks an I-3 turbo done properly could be a real screamer :nod:
Blainestang

@gary

I didn’t even get a chance to watch the video, but I gathered you weren’t saying that a 3 (or 1) cylinder would inherently be an NVH nightmare… I was just commenting on the general concern about NVH expressed by several others. :)
cct1

Damn, the grammar police have even found their way to Motoringfile. If we can’t use poor grammar and punctuation here, I suppose no website is safe…
Jim W.

Modified out last time….

To paraphrase my earlier comments, The 3 cylinder engine model might just be more like the original Mini, something many of us wanted when the new MINI first came out. You know, simple, economical, fun? I can’t wait!

I remember sliding windows, thin doors and skinny seats, a sparse dash, flat rubber floor, small tires- light and nimble.

What’s wrong with that?
bee1000

cct1 – head on over to Motoring Alliance. I couldn’t begin to fix the stuff users are typing over there! (which is not to say that I don’t love them)

Ocapn – not sure if I made your count of R53 motorers, but I’ve been around for about 6 years now. My point of view is that I love my Mini, and whatever else Mini creates doesn’t affect that, but I do like to see Mini moving in a direction toward smaller and more efficient after all the post-R50/3 variants.
lavardera

To things I would take in a minute in my next mini:

Rubber floor mats instead of carpet – who ever thought of putting carpet in an automobile, well I hope they are broiling in hell.

Roll up crank windows please – impossible with overlap in the current design – windows have to drop a fraction to open the door. Note my 2nd gen Acura Integra had framless glass with hand cranks, so it can be done.
Don Hopings

“I remember sliding windows, thin doors and skinny seats, a sparse dash, flat rubber floor, small tires- light and nimble.

Whatâ€™s wrong with that?”

Evidently you have never had a near-death experience with east coast pot holes and 10″ tires…
Blainestang

@Don

Haha… I never thought about that. If you drive into a huge pothole with a 10″ wheel, you could potentially hit the other side with nearly the middle of your wheel! That may be an exaggeration, but I could see a LOT of rearward horizontal force being placed on a Mini suspension in that situation!
Timothy

Tourine, Cory: Maybe you can also persuade the editors to use “it’s” and “its” correctly. “It’s” always means “it is.” If you cannot substitute “it is” (or “it has”), then do not use “it’s.” (It’s really very simple. It’s been a great ride.) “Its” is the possessive form of “it.” (Its engine will have fewer cylinders. I admired its interior design.) There is no “its’.”

So, remember: it’s = it is or it has; otherwise: its.
goat

Guys ease up with the pedantic corrections. Grammar policing has its time and place and this is neither.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1421557780 bavarian racing green

…small minds concern themselves with small concerns…

…this news is more exciting than anything we’ve heard recently…

…if folks can’t appreciate that, then they really do need attention…
MM

Really. This grammar policy stuff is lame. Find a 6th grade english blog or a life.
Skuzzy

I will reserve judgement until I can drive one.

As long as the engine has the useable power/torque curve of the Prince engine and is available in naturally aspirated form, I will be a happy camper.

6 speed standard, of course.

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