The title says it all. MINI USA will be announcing Dynamic Stability Control will come standard on all models across the range. Look for MINI USA to also tweak the contents of the options packages they offer across the range for 2009 as well. We’ll have details in the weeks ahead.
I believe this is in response to a New Federal law that will require all Auto Mfg. to have Stability Control on all new cars sold in the US (As a standard feature, not as an option)
“National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Nicole R. Nason yesterday announced a final rule that will require Electronic Stability Control to be standard equipment on every new passenger vehicle sold in America by 2012.”
<a href="http://www.ohsonline.com/articles/46675/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.ohsonline.com/articles/46675/</a>
Was thinking the same Ralph
Gabe: When the ’09 model year will begin?
I have nothing against the DSC, but does big brother really have to make it mandatory?
As long as they don’t delete the switch I don’t mind it personally.
Gabe:I got my new 2008 JCW Cooper S in Jan this year over here in Ireland and DSC was made standard before I got it and saved €250 on the overall price. Jon they didn’t delete the button, You can still turn it OFF.
Glenn
DSC is already standard equipment in the Clubman.
Hill assist is cool though.
I heard the base price will also go up in respond to the added DSC.
I believe all ’08 Canadian equipped MINI’s have DSC standard. Times are a changin’ – my ’04 R50 does not even have ASC+T, but I like it just fine. Traction control?… that would be my right foot… 😉
DSC on the MINIs is great, and it would be good if it was standard across the board on all models in all countries. I can agree with the traction control comments, that is the weakest aspect of the myriad of DSC’s aspects.
But until we humans can brake each wheel individually to help bring the car back into line, we’re all kidding ourselves if we think we don’t need DSC. On every day road driving it is the times you don’t know that you need it that DSC pays for itself, if some clown blindly pulls out in front of you, or someone loses control forcing you to take evasive action. By the time you’ve worked all that out and made your first move, DSC has probably already done its best work on your behalf.
dsc is standard from march onwards. there will be special offers for 2008 r56 models without dsc – so keep your eyes open 😉
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that 10,000 lives could be saved annually in the U.S. if all cars had DSC.
<blockquote>The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that 10,000 lives could be saved annually in the U.S. if all cars had DSC</blockquote>
What if all drivers had brains?
While driving is technically the driver’s responsibility first and foremost, even the most skilled drivers aren’t as fast as DSC in special circumstances/emergencies. No one is perfect, and accidents happen.
<blockquote>What if drivers had brains?</blockquote>
We the ones that don’t will be less eligible for a Darwin award now.
Oops it changes the whole meaning of the word if you drop the ll off of well.
J/C, DSC is for drivers that DO have brains, if you understand how it works. To my knowledge, no driver I know of can brake each wheel individually to stabilize the car when something unexpected happens. And unexpected things happen to the best of drivers…
Perhaps BMW will develop a car with four brake pedals–one for each wheel–then maybe you can perform as well as a DSC.
I just don’t get all the DSC bashing. I have it on for daily driving, and turn it off for the track. Where is it going to cause a problem?
Anyone know if they will also make the auto start/stop and brake regeneration which is standard in Europe either an option or standard in the US for 2009? Also when can one order the 09s?
Don’t get me wrong. I bought DSC on my R53 as a stand alone option. It works very well. My point is that if you drive like an idiot you are more likely to survive if you have DSC. At a minimum I will only buy vehicles with ABS and I will buy DSC if it is available.
<blockquote>My point is that if you drive like an idiot you are more likely to survive if you have DSC</blockquote>
<blockquote>My point is that if you drive you are more likely to survive if you have DSC.</blockquote>
Fixed =)
Race car drivers and officials must see some value in Traction Control at least, otherwise I would guess it would not be banned in most racing series events.