Opinion: BMW’s Front Wheel Drive Platforn Could Make MINI’s Future Bright
MINI has been unsustainable as a brand for BMW since it’s launch in 2001. That’s what BMW is admitting with the announcement that MINI will share BMW’s new front wheel drive architecture.
As with most automakers BMW needs to leverage every one of its platforms to make sure it’s profitable and allows for economies of scale. So BMW fully intends to rectify this with the 3rd generation MINI.
Most MINI enthusiasts may look at this as the inevitable decline of the MINI brand and product. But on the contrary we believe this will give MINI technologies and performance that have never been available to it. The question (in our minds) will be whether or not they can maintain the MINI “feel” we all love. The good part is MINI knows that feel is as much of the brand as anything.
Let’s talk product. Yes BMW is creating a front wheel drive car that will share the platform and engines of the next generation MINI. However if there’s one thing that BMW are experts on it is creating distinctly different products across the same platform BMW intends to continue if not enhance the MINI’s core attributes (go-kart feel being the most important) while making the related BMW product more upscale and refined. Another thing BMW can do is make exceptional front wheel drive cars – the 1st and 2nd generation MINI are the perfect examples of this.
So what do these economies of scale offer the MINI brand? For one it allows BMW to develop all technologies in house and not share them with any other brand. That means exceptional engines (the thing that BMW has been known for for over 50 years), more modern chassis (potentially lighter and definitely safer) and new drivetrain technologies. The latter could be the most interesting to MotoringFile readers.
We think it will mean three things; hybrid drivetrains, dual clutch transmissions and all wheel drive.
BMW fully intends to extend it’s EfficientDynamics program further into Hybrids and the next logical step would be in smaller cars such as the new MINI and BMW front wheel drive twins. Going Hybrid would allow BMW to offer a dramatically more efficient car without the legislation issues of diesel in the brand’s largest market – the US.
This also could mean fully electric vehicles as well. With the MINI E being a test bed for the BMW ActiveE and eventually the iSetta city car, one would expect BMW’s newly found electric expertise to extend into other small cars under the corporate umbrella.
Finally look for a new family of BMW engines ranging from super efficient 3 cylinder petrol and diesel powerplants to more powerful four cylinders. All will be equipped with turbos and will blow away the current range when it comes to efficiency while upping the power.
If an engine is the heart of a car, a transmission is the brain behind it. And if there’s one thing that we’ve critiqued over the years it’s been MINI’s automatic transmission. As much as we don’t like the idea of automatics in MINIs, there’s little question that a dual clutch transmission (DCT) would go a long way in making a clutchless MINI a lot more fun. It would also instantly become the quickest MINI 0-60 in each model while raising efficiency over the aging Aisin automatic.
Finally the one technology that has been asked pleaded for by some MINI owners is all wheel drive. Yes the Countryman will offer it but MINI owners have been clamoring for a performance awd MINI a la the Golf R. While we can’t guarantee this will happen, we do know that the new chassis that will underpin both the MINI and FWD BMW will accept all wheel drive. The current MINI chassis was never intended for AWD (without pricey modification) and MINI engineers gave up on the idea in late 2004. At the very least this gives MINI an interesting possibility for a future JCW product.
Clearly there is a lot to be gained with the BMW tie-up. Yet there are also some concerns. The one that comes to mind first is the loss of the soul that has made MINI always feel so unique. BMW claims they can engineer that into the chassis, engine and electronics. That may be the case but it’s still very much an open question to us.
Unfortunately reality is that MINI simply cannot compete in a future full of large automotive conglomerates churning out hot hatches by the dozen. Even if most are throw-aways, eventually a few will be worthy competitors. In fact there are more than a few that already are.
Given that it’s the right time for BMW to flex it’s corporate muscle and give the MINI brand the technology and engineering it needs to succeed in the years ahead. The brand has been built. The customer base secured. Now the products need to take the next step and not only live up to expectations but surpass them.
(And yes, that last bit was meant for the people at MINI as much as anything)
<p>Interesting read…. So out with small engine partners, and in with in-house chassis sharing…. Let’s hope the economies of scale allow for increased profitability for the brand while keeping pricing in check or even lowering them.</p>
<p>Time will tell how this plays out…. I hope for the best.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>A logical plan, even though with the same engine and platform shared between MINI and BMW I can guarantee one thing. The BMW will be more upscale as you stated however BMW will also make sure the handling on their car will equal if not surpass the MINI (as they will spend more money developing the BMW and producing it),. I would also lay money on the fact that the MINI will be less powerful. So for the performance fans I am betting that the 0 Series will be the logical choice over the jcw MINI.</p>
<p>Bla, bla, bla…..</p>
<p>But this was not the case before? This is the same, call it whatever you want.Time passes and competitors started to advance MINI-BMW months ago.</p>
<p>What’s up with all the press-release sounding articles lately? Motoring File sounds more and more like the press department of BMW every day.</p>
<p>For many people, the time comes when rowing the gears loses its’ charm and becomes an irritation (especially when fighting heavy traffic). I look forward to having a DCT available in the MINI instead of a conventional 6-speed auto. I will also be following the development of the turbo 3 cylinder engines closely.</p>
<blockquote>a dual clutch transmission (DCT) would go a long way in making a clutchless MINI a lot more fun. It would also instantly become the quickest MINI 0-60 in each model</blockquote>
<p>A DCT auto would be nice. Hopefully, to achieve the “quickest MINI 0-60” title, they won’t change the gearing vs. a manual and then give credit to the technology to justify the extra cost. This is what VW has done in the past to get a tenth or two.</p>
<p>Evolution, not revolution. What seems <em>could</em> be happening to the MINI reminds me of what happened to the early GTI. Not that the circumstances are at all identical, just that the GTI slowly lost its je ne se qua. IMHO, VW has never found it again.</p>
<p>I’m not ragging on BMW/MINI: there’s no doubt that this development will result in a healthier BMW (read company) and a fundamentally better MINI (read vehicle).</p>
<p>But as pointed out keeping the MINI in MINI has to be the focus.</p>
<p>(Todd, that GP keeps looking better and better ;-)</p>
<p>I’m hoping this will mean substantially increased performance, either in the form of M lending JCW a hand, or the availability of M parts that can be easilly swapped in to Minis. Here’s to a better handling and performing JCW Mini.</p>
<p>Interesting…i think this is good for Mini</p>
<p>What model is the BMW pictured?</p>
<p>This reminds me of the 318 3-door with the 4 cylinder. It seems like BMWNA got away from cars like this in the late 90’s and the whole 2000 decade, and now they are coming back with small economical cars for real people. Let’s hope sharing the platform will help keep the cost of the MINI and the front wheel drive BMW down.</p>
<p>I would not hold my breath for a ///M developed 0 series FWD personally or ///M parts that could be swapped to a MINI.</p>
<p>So it seems BMW will develop this 3 dr hatch. The bigger question is will we see it being sold in the USA? BMW (dealers) have seriously resisted any hatchbacks in the USA since the lack luster sale of E36/8(Z3 coupe/M) and E36/5 (318ti).</p>
<p>As evidence we did not get any of the E46 hatchback models or the E81/8E7 hatchback models. My question is, why would the dealers in the USA change their tune regarding hatchbacks? It appears past hatchback models have still left a bad taste in their mouth.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>As evidence we did not get any of the E46 hatchback models or the E81/8E7 hatchback models. My question is, why would the dealers in the USA change their tune regarding hatchbacks? It appears past hatchback models have still left a bad taste in their mouth.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The US will likely not see the FWD BMW.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Evolution, not revolution. What seems could be happening to the MINI reminds me of what happened to the early GTI. Not that the circumstances are at all identical, just that the GTI slowly lost its je ne se qua. IMHO, VW has never found it again*.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I completely agree. The success of this next step is up to BMW and MINI. The difference is that MINI will finally have more development and engineering tools and dollars at their disposal.</p>
<p>I don’t know why the Mini and the 0series would have to be so similar – especially if they are going to make the platform 4wd capable from the start. The Mini can be offered FWD or AWD, and the BMW can be offered RWD or AWD. Now the base cars have completely different personality, and the 0series more of a connection to BMW tradition. It also allows BMW to leverage the platform further for the small Z2 roadster that has been kicked around – which would never be FWD, at least I hope.</p>
<p>The platform won’t accept rwd.</p>
<p>For the record I personally LOVE hatchbacks. I currently own a M Coupe (e36/8 with the S52) and R56 MINI. I’ve owned 3 other hatchbacks in the past and would love to own a E81 with the 2L turbo diesel. Still I don’t see these new hatchbacks coming over to the US. 1 or 5000 enthusiasts don’t make the company enough money to justify spending whatever it costs to bring over a car.</p>
<p>I fully understand that.. Still I love the E81 and if I ever win the Lottery, both me and my gf will travel to Mexico to buy E81s and drive it back over the border :)</p>
<p>@mellowmcs is that a real option?</p>
<p>No AWD JCW R56 surprise in 2012. And no AWD JCW R59 as that is on the same platform. Too bad. That means the best we could hope for is a lowered JCW Countryman, which I suspect will not cut the handling mustard. So, in 2012 Golf R (aka GTI R) would appear to have the under $40k-decently-designed-high-performance-AWD-compact-hatch market (and likely my next automotive purchase) to itself.</p>
<p>It’s quite sad if BMW considers MINI “unsustainable.” All this is starting to sound a lot like Ford’s handling of Jaguar. And we know how that turned out: $60,000 Tauruses.</p>
<p>At the end of the day this is all about BMW trying to be a big global brand in a niche market, satisfying shareholders, staving off takeover bids, and keeping the Quandt family in pocket money.
I guess this all harks back to when BMW took over the Rover and Land Rover group – for the 4WD and FWD technology.</p>
<p>@Ronald Campbell, it’ll probably take some money to do. Which is why I’d need to win the lottery!</p>
<p>I don’t see how they consider mini unsustainable..</p>
<p>Hasn’t it blown all of their predictions out of the water?</p>
<blockquote>The platform won’t accept rwd.</blockquote>
<p>If I’m reading this right, the platform design is not done yet. If you are making a drive train that is FWD or AWD, then it seems entirely possible that you could also make it RWD or AWD, since the work to get the RWs Driven is already in the can.</p>
<p>“The question (in our minds) will be whether or not they can maintain the MINI “feel†we all love. The good part is MINI knows that feel is as much of the brand as anything.”
Do they? They already mucked up the suspension and interior when they made the R56. Not sure I trust BMW/MINI to maintain the size and feel of the R53. If history means anything look how the 3-series and 5-series have grown over the years.</p>
<p>I won’t be holding my breath.</p>
<p>@lavardera: Not so simple… it is relatively easy to get a FWD architecture to AWD but a RWD architecture always (that I can think of) requires a longitudinal engine layout… not a transverse engine layout like the MINI uses (and every single FWD and FWD-based AWD crossover). It is not a simple thing to rotate an engine / transmission / driveshaft combo by 90degrees for the longitudinal arrangement that RWD (and RWD-based AWD) requires.</p>
<p>This is why the next-generation 1-series will come in two distinct platforms: one of them will use a transverse FWD/AWD engine+tranny arrangement, the other will use a longitudinal RWD engine+tranny arrangement.</p>
<p>@lavardera: Just a bit more on this topic, because I think your suggestion (a RWD variant of the mini) is a good one – just difficult to implement using BMW’s current platform architectures. Audi is a good example of the exception to the rule by using a longitudinal engine layout for cars that are either FWD (lame for an Audi) or quattro (much better). Done for improved weight distribution to help handling… would be great if the FWD BMW and gen3 MINI would use a longitudinal engine layout but I haven’t seen anything here or on bimmerFile suggesting that.</p>
<p>I understand that the conventional layout of a RWD car is to have a longitudinal engine configuration. That does not mean that a transverse engine can not be made to drive the rear wheels – and in fact in a car as compact as the Mini and aspiring to be RWD, that may in fact be the better way to package the drivetrain. The fact is the transverse engine drivetrain is already being configured to turn a drive shaft delivering power to the rear wheels. Its no great leap to drop the front half-shafts and leave it solely RWD. The engineering issue becomes one of making the RWD portion of the drivetrain robust enough to serve as the primary modus, where as compared to serving as a component of an AWD layout it may not need to be delivering as much power as the front drive element. But hey – we are starting from scratch here, so the possibility of designing the drivetrain to support this configuration is entirely feasible. And it certainly would be more in keeping with the tradition of both brands, and keep the two cars very distinct.</p>
<p>@lava – like I said, I love the idea but I don’t think BMW is going to produce a rwd mini for many reasons but technical complexity and overlap with the BMW portfolio being the key ones… But anything is possible. Would love to see a short wheelbase rwd car… He’ll, I’d probably buy it!! :)</p>