MINI Cooper S Mill In Ward’s Top Ten
Auto Industry analysts Ward’s has announced their Top Ten engine winners for this year and among the results are two power plants from BMW Group. First, a 3.0L Turbo straight six from BMW, then the newly revamped inline four from the MINI Cooper S. It’s a diverse list of winners, which includes motors from both the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. Each winner was chosen not just for its technological advancement, but for the stand-out performance they offered the vehicles they propel.
“We have something for everybody on this year’s Ward’s 10 Best Engines list,†says Drew Winter, editor-in-chief of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine. “It’s the most diverse mix we’ve ever had, as well as the most technologically advanced.â€
You can see the full list, plus commentary from Ward’s on the winners here.
<p>That’s good news and Peugeot is even mentioned this time. 50% yay for France! I wonder how those engines measure up against previous Chrysler’s in longevity. Anybody?</p>
<p>Will someone please set this straight? Are the “prince” engines, used in the MINIs, assembled in Hamms Hall or are they produced in France? My understanding is that the engine blocks are cast in France but the rest of the motor is assembled in GB(at least for MINI).</p>
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<p>Will someone please set this straight? Are the “prince†engines, used in the MINIs, assembled in Hamms Hall or are they produced in France? My understanding is that the engine blocks are cast in France but the rest of the motor is assembled in GB(at least for MINI).</p>
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<p>The block is cast in France. The engine is assembled in Hamms hall in the UK.</p>
<p>To add to the engine question, where is the JCW engine assembled?
Under the “Parts Content Information” that came with my ’09 JCW,
it says Country of Origin:
Engine: Germany
Transmission: Germany</p>
<p>I guess they chose to overlook early issues with cold start clatter and melting bodywork…</p>
<p>Editors: Note that the 1.6 Supercharged Tritec in the R53 won in 2003. Brazil > France!!</p>
<blockquote>I guess they chose to overlook early issues with cold start clatter and melting bodywork…</blockquote>
<p>Not the same engine. This is the revamped variable valve timing motor in the Cooper S since the mid-cycle refresh for 2011.</p>
<p>yes, it does have a new valve train.</p>
<p>Anyone know what changes they made to the PCV system? The crankcase ventilation hose from the valve cover to the intake manifold has moved or disappeared.</p>
<p>Speculation has been that the system may have been re-designed to better eliminate the carbon build-up problem on the MCS’s direct-injection intake ports, but nobody seems to know for sure.</p>
<blockquote>Anyone know what changes they made to the PCV system? The crankcase ventilation hose from the valve cover to the intake manifold has moved or disappeared.</blockquote>
<p>Keep in mind that the photo in this post is not the revamped engine. It’s the old iteration of the motor. So don’t base any observations on that photo.</p>
<p>that photo looks like the new N18 engine to me…
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mini-cooper-first-drive/#3625523" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mini-cooper-first-drive/#3625523</a></p>
<p>Jerry: ME TOO. Government Motors, or Obama Motors seems to get its way on most things, it seems anymore. Funny how Toyota was the perfect car company until Obama and his crew hit Washington, now they can’t do anything right. Granted, this is Mini forum, of which I am proud new owner, but when will the hammer fall on Mini, too?</p>