Section: 3rd Gen MINI
Mar 16th, 2010
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. continued →
Mar 11th, 2010
BMW has a hit on their hands with the MINI. But they also have a problem; how to sell more small premium cars. Research is showing that the small premium car category has huge growth potential and that only having one brand offering such a car may be a mistake. BMW’s solution? To based a small front wheel or all wheel drive BMW off of the next generation MINI platform.
Last week on BimmerFile we noted that during BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofe’s speech he made it clear that BMW and MINI were extending their brands into the small car segment. But what did that exactly mean? Was he talking about the shared platform between the MINI and a new small BMW or BMW’s new range of “megacity” cars sub-braned as iSetta? Autocar had a chance to ask the man that very question.
Being careful to separate the new price-leading front-wheel-drive model from BMW’s upcoming city car – a totally different project as part of its Mega City Vehicle electric car initiative – Reithofer added, “For these new vehicles [the new BMW and Mini] we are developing a common architecture for both front and four-wheel drive.”
While exact details remain shrouded in secrecy, Autocar can confirm the new entry-level BMW has been conceived to run the same front-wheel-drive underpinnings as the next-generation Mini Cooper.
Autocar predicts this new BMW will be built along side the MINI in Oxford. However our sources tell us this is impossible given the current cost of expanding the plant even further. Instead it’s likely that the new small BMW will be built alongside a small slice of the next generation MINI production at a current BMW plant in Germany. It’s worth noting that our sources tell us that all MINIs produced in Germany will be destined for the European market as a way to insulate the British currency issues BMW currently faces.
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Mar 9th, 2010
MINI has been a surprisingly big success for BMW. It started with the improbable R50 being designed and engineered during a time of intense turmoil at Rover and then BMW. It continued with a new engine and vastly updated and improved chassis with the R56. But those changes pale in comparison to what we expect to see with the 3rd generation MINI due in the fall of 2012 as a 2013 model in Europe and potentially a few month later in other markets (i.e. the US).
In this article (the first in a two part series) we’re going to take a look at the chassis development and high level design ideas behind the new MINI. Next week we’ll dive into drivetrain, interior and electronics changes.
Chassis Development
The R50 chassis was designed primarily by a team at Rover in the UK in the mid to late 90’s. The R56, while thoroughly updated, carried over much of the basic architecture of that original design. But for 2012 BMW has big plans to bring the MINI more into the BMW family of products.
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Feb 2nd, 2010
Today BMW announced that they have reached an agreement for both parties to jointly develop a successor to the current four cylinder family of engines found in the MINI and several PSA products. The new engine will be more efficient and will meet EU 6 requirements that will come into force from 1 January 2015 for the registration and sale of all new cars in Europe.
Interestingly we’ve also heard rumors of BMW sharing some of it’s engines directly with MINI that are being developed or its new range of efficient vehicles. We’ll have more on this soon. Until then, the full release is below:
Official Release: The BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroën will continue their successful engine collaboration. An agreement to that effect was signed by Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, and Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën, in Paris.
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Jan 5th, 2010
2011 is the start of an all-out product offensive for MINI. With efficiency regulations going up around the world, and the need for more economies of scale, BMW intends to leverage the MINI brand by moving it into new areas and expanding currently offerings. While the heritage of performance won’t go away, MINI will focus on making their cars lighter and more economical along with offering more varieties meant to appeal to a larger market.
The R60 Countryman
This offensive starts at the Detroit Auto Show with the introduction of the Beachcomber concept. As we’ve reported on MF, the concept is a lightly disguised R60 Countryman with the final production version making it’s debut in early March. Sales in Europe are expected to start in the fall of 2010 with North American sales beginning in early 2011 (the same time BMW’s X1 debuts in the US).
The R56 Refresh
Also publicly debuting at Geneva will the long awaited and highly anticipated R56 refresh. As you likely have read previously on MF, MINI intends to use this refresh not only to update the exterior but also refine some interior design and materials. Yes, the radio controls and the heating and cooling interface will be refined and in some cases rethought. Additionally MINI will introduce some upgraded materials and subtle design changes meant to eliminate many of the complaints owners have had over the years. Or to put it another way, if you look at the top five complaints most MINI owners have, then you have an idea of what will be worked over in this refresh. continued →
Oct 28th, 2009
We know that BMW has grand plans for its smallest brand. MINI has gone from one shape and three models to three cars and well over a dozen models worldwide.
In 2001 BMW debuted the R50 MINI Cooper and MINI One to great acclaim. However tucked away in much of the press coverage of the launch was the fact that BMW didn’t expect to even break even on the development and launch costs over the course of the models life-cycle. The problem were economies of scale and the fact that the MINI was a bespoke platform designed from the ground up to be shared with nothing else on the market (save for the Chrysler developed engine). The writing was on the wall even then. BMW needed multiple variants of the MINI to make the brand stand on its own financially.
Fast forward eight years. MINI has successfully launched it’s second generation hatchback and along the way added a convertible and the long wheel base clubman – all based on the core R56 platform (itself based on the R50). But BMW is just getting started.
The 2010 MINI Countryman Crossover
The next MINI will indeed be the R60 crossover. While the debut has been pushed back slightly we still expect this car product to appear in the first part of 2010 with European and US sales starting in early spring. Without going into too much detail (you can naturally find that in our R60 section) look for MINI’s first all-wheel drive system, a range of familiar and not-so-familiar engines powering the crossover. Four doors and optional five seats will make this the largest MINI ever produced. continued →
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Oct 27th, 2009
Automotive News is reporting that PSA is looking at deepening it’s ties with the German company. As it stands now PSA produces engines blocks for the BMW design 1.6L engines found in the current MINI range. However the idea is that this new round of cooperation could return the favor so to speak with PSA offering BMW it’s upcoming 3 cylinder engines. However we’re not entirely sure this makes sense with BMW set to produce it’s own range of highly efficient 3 cylinders destined for both BMW and MINI products. Here’s an excerpt:
CEO Phillipe Varin said he is talking with BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer about cooperation in areas such as purchasing and components including transmissions and climate control systems. “We have set up groups of experts to work on deepening our cooperation on gasoline engines,” the German business daily Handelsblatt quoted Varin as saying.
+ PSA Plans Deeper Ties with BMW / Autonews
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