Section: F6X Countryman

300+ HP From MINI’s New 3 Cylinder Possible According to BMW M

MotoringFile Sections: F54 Clubman, F55 Five Door Hatch, F56 Hatch, F6X Countryman, FXX Front Wheel Drive BMW, JCW May 4th, 2013 19 Comments

BMW 3 cylinder TwinPower

It’s all theoretical of course but when asked about BMW’s new 1.5L three cylinder architecture the head of BMW M was unusually candid about the possibilities. According to an interview Dr. Friedrich Nitschke gave to Car and Driver the new engine is capable of more than we initially thought. Quite a bit more. continued →

How Should MINI Change their Model Line-up?

MotoringFile Sections: F54 Clubman, F55 Five Door Hatch, F57 Convertible, F58 Spacebox, F6X Countryman, Official News Apr 25th, 2013 76 Comments

mini models

For years we’ve been reporting that MINI’s line-up will expanding. And as you know it has, going from one model to seven models in as many years. But recent comments by MINIUSA head Jim McDowel and several BMW Board members have underlined the fact that more changes are foot. continued →

MINI and BMW to Dramatically Expand Model Ranges

MotoringFile Sections: F54 Clubman, F55 Five Door Hatch, F56 Hatch, F57 Convertible, F58 Spacebox, F6X Countryman, FXX Front Wheel Drive BMW Nov 24th, 2012 18 Comments

This post is also featured over on our sister site, BimmerFile.com.

In various interviews over the past few months, BMW executives have hinted at grand plans for the UKL platform. Reported by both MotoringFile and BimmerFile, the UKL platform will spawn an onslaught of FWD models. This will make MINI more long-term viable and will drive the BMW Group to greater economies of scale. Yet just how far BMW is willing to go with FWD, and how big the MINI brand will get hasn’t really been understood until recently.

continued →

BMW to Produce Future 3 Cylinder Engines for MINI at Hams Hall in the UK

MotoringFile Sections: F54 Clubman, F55 Five Door Hatch, F56 Hatch, F57 Convertible, F58 Spacebox, F6X Countryman Jun 12th, 2012 6 Comments

Today at the SMMT 2012 International Automotive Summit at Canary Wharf, London, Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW, announced that the new generation of high-tech, 3-cylinder petrol engines for the future BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car will be produced exclusively at the BMW engine plant at Hams Hall, near Birmingham. But perhaps more importantly this almost surely signals that the the mass production of most (if not all) 1.5L 3 cylinders will likely happen at the same plant. Since the i8′s engine will basically be a modified version of the ordinary 3 cylinder destined for front wheel drive BMWs and the 3rd generation MINI, it would seem Hams Hall will continue to be the epicenter for BMW’s small engine production. And tradition will be carrying on as it’s currently the site of all production for the 1.6L four cylinder “Prince” engines in MINIs and BMWs. continued →


Rumor: Next Generation MINIs to Offer 8 or 9 Speed Auto

MotoringFile Sections: F55 Five Door Hatch, F56 Hatch, F57 Convertible, F58 Spacebox, F6X Countryman, Rumor Apr 27th, 2012 41 Comments

Ever since the six speed Aisin automatic was introduced in the Cooper for the 2005 model year, MINI fans have been waiting for something better. We can now confirm that something better is coming.

With BMW co-developing the next generation MINI alongside a new family of small, front wheel drive BMWs, MINI’s component offerings are about to get substantially better and more technically impressive. One of the more important things on that list will be a new automatic optional across the range. Through sources close to the development of the new MINI, we’ve heard rumors of two different transmissions under consideration. The first rumor points to an Getrag sourced 8-speed dual clutch transmission. The second points towards ZF sourced 9 speed conventional automatic. Either option would be a huge improvement. But there’s on that stands above the other in our opinion. Read on to find out. continued →

Next Generation MINI Timeline & Details Revealed

MotoringFile Sections: F55 Five Door Hatch, F56 Hatch, F57 Convertible, F6X Countryman, Rumor Jan 3rd, 2012 46 Comments

As those who listened to yesterday’s MF podcast yesterday found out, BMW doesn’t intent on releasing the 3rd generation MINI until well into 2013. Unlike the R50 and R53, BMW is planning on producing the R56 for a full seven year cycle typical to BMW cars. Given that the R56 was released in late 2006 that would mean a 2013 launch for the next generation MINI, code named the F56.

However what’s perhaps most alarming to MINI enthusiasts is what will come first. continued →


MF Podast Special Report: Next Generation MINI

MotoringFile Sections: F55 Five Door Hatch, F56 Hatch, F57 Convertible, F6X Countryman, Podcast, R58 (Coupe), R59 (Roadster) Jan 2nd, 2012 5 Comments

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Something funny happened after Michael and I finished our last podcast for BimmerFile. We started talking MINIs. And as we’re prone to do, we quickly started talking about future cars and the direction of the brand. What followed was the most efficient use of ten minutes possible to MINI fans. In short we break down when you’ll see the next generation MINI, what will be under the hood, and what will happen to the rest of the MINI range through 2015. You will not want to miss this one. continued →

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MINI Model Cheat Sheet

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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'11 Tesla Roaster 2.5 '11 Countryman Comparo
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'07 MINI Cooper S Long Term
'07 BMW Z4 M Coupe
'07 MINI Cooper & Cooper S
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Reader Review: JCW GP
'06 JCW Cooper S Long Term
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Podcast: Cooper S Auto
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'04 JCW MINI Cooper Tuning Kit
'05 MCS: One Month Review
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'05 JCW S 1st Drive
'05 MINI Cooper
'05 MCS Conv. Long Term
'05 MINI Cooper S
'05 MCS Cabrio 1st Drive
'04 JCW MCS First Drive
'04 MC w/JCW Tuning Kit
BMW M3 SMG Vs. MCS
'04 MINI Cooper CVT
'02 MCS 3 year Review
Autocrossing the MINI Range


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