According to Automotive News Europe and “sources” BMW will let the current agreement to produce the “Prince” family of engines lapse in 2016. While this isn’t a surprise (we’ve known for many years that BMW intended to go it alone for 3 and 4 cylinder engine production) this is the first time we’ve seen a semi official mention of it. The Prince has had an up and down life (that we’ll go into more in-depth later) but can be considered a success for both BMW and PSA in terms of performance, efficiency and number produced.
So what will replace the venerable Prince engine range? Late this year BMW will be introducing the B38 and B48 series of three and four cylinder engines destined for all front wheel drive MINIs and BMWs. The engines will be more powerful, burn less fuel and weigh less than their predecessor.
The timing of Prince production ending in 2016 makes a lot of sense for MINI. The last of the R56 based models will be at the end of their life by then and BMW will be gearing up to release an updated version of the B37 and B48. But it’s the details of the engine range that are so interesting.
According to people internal at MINI familiar with the matter, the next generation of Cooper S and JCW models will be powered entirely by the forthcoming B48 2.0L four cylinder that will be shared across all front wheel drive BMWs and MINIs. MINI will then spread the three cylinders across the MINI One and Cooper models. The diesel range will follow a similar pattern.
Sources are telling us that power ratings should be slightly higher than the current range on both the three and four cylinder models. Internally BMW is quoting the following as output targets:
– Cooper, B38 1.5L 100kW / 134 HP (3 cylinder)
– Cooper D, B37 85kW / 114 HP (3 cylinder)
– Cooper S, B48 2.0L 140kW / 187 HP (4 cylinder)
– JCW, B?? 2.0L ???kW / ??? HP (4 cylinder)
But it’s the efficiency gains and the weight losses that are the big story. We’ve been told to not be surprised to see US Spec Cooper achieve upper 40 mpg figures on the highway. Additionally the engines should be measurably lighter and allow for better weight distribution front to rear.
Another update will be the packaging. In most markets MINI will be adding a hard plastic engine cover under the hood (or bonnet) designed to insulate the engine and reduce some of the “clatter” often associated with small direct injection power-plants. How it works we don’t know but our sources were adamant that it could be a way for MINI to dress up the engine compartment while reducing noise and adding some level of efficiency.
The four cylinder will be shared across all front wheel drive BMWs and MINI with output ranging from 180 hp all the way near 300 hp in some future BMWs. Yes it will be that capable. Will MINI see those kind of figures? It’s too early to tell but we can expect top-line JCW models to be much more competitive when it comes to power output. Also interesting will be how MINI intends to deliver that power. We expect the highest power models to use an updated All4 system even on MINI’s smallest models to improve traction and acceleration times dramatically.
<p>In regards to the new 2.0L, displacement increase of 25%, HP increase of 3%….why? I would expect at least 200 HP to keep competitive.</p>
<p>That will come in different variants. The focus is moderate increases in performance and less moderate increase in efficiency.</p>
<p>I wish they’d focus more on performance. Give the S 200hp and the JCW 250+</p>
<p>I don’t see much of a point of them going past their current JCW mark for output *unless they bring the all4 system across the line.</p>
<p>Small, light fwd cars can’t handle much over 200hp. It’s simply asking the front wheels to do too much to put down that power without slipping or torque steer, and also be able to control traction through tight steering and hard turns.</p>
<p>As someone who had a JCW putting 225hp and 270lbs of torque “to the ground” I disagree. You just have to have a little more talent than planting your foot to the floor.</p>
<p>It felt just about perfect.</p>
<p>A high output JCW hatch w/ All4 would be pretty amazing.</p>
<p>200 hp maximum for front wheel drive? Tell that to Ford Focus RS. They seem to handle 300 hp very nicely in Europe.</p>
<p>Just because they have it doesn’t mean they can really use it.</p>
<p>Spoken like someone is totally unfamiliar with the Ford Focus RS.</p>
<p>Ford managed to make a 300HP front wheel drive car that CAN put the power down, it’s not too much to expect BMW, with the prices they charge, to be able to the same with a MINI. Or at least get close.</p>
<p>I agree. Focus RS is pretty awesome car. And Ford do have some pretty trick suspension, etc. to handle that power in a FWD car. I would however still prefer RWD or AWD to put that 300hp down consistently. Reality is that if MINI produce a JCW w/ All4 the resulting price will probably push me over to a used Cayman S… unless we remain a 1 car household in which case I am back to wanting a JCW w/ All4 and rear seat for the dog!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu3IQWfhIXM" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu3IQWfhIXM</a></p>
<p>Any info of a jcw power kit for the 3-cyl Cooper?
To at least bring it to around 100 bhp/liter.
I love the idea of a 3-cyl but would like more power, about 150-165 should not be a prroblem turbo-lag wise for a new engine. Although 165 bhp probably is to close to the cooper s I would think 155 should bridge the gap nicely.
Hopefully we should be able to spec som sports exhaust for the cooper.</p>
<p>I don’t understand your argument. You like the 3-cyl, and I assume its efficiency, but you want more power (less efficiency) and willing to spend money on a JCW kit ($$$) which would get you close to the price of a Cooper S.</p>
<p>Hi
The reason for me wanting 3-cyl is all about engine character/noise.
The frequncy spectrum between the engine rpm limits leada to a IMO very nice sound especially if not tuned to be quiet which most few cyl cars are due to most people judging tje potency of a car by the number of cyl.
I have no experience from the mini 3-cyl of course.</p>
<p>It’s certainly true for motorcycles.</p>
<p>There is a video on YouTube of the BMW i8 and the 3-cyl engine. Sounds pretty amazing for such a tiny engine. However I fully expect the new 4-cyl power plant to be quite nice sounding when it arrives.</p>
<p>With the F56 to have the 3 cyl 1.5L for the base model & 4 cyl 2.0L for the S beginning early in 2014, where does that put all the other models in line for these engines? Will they have to wait in line until the 2015 & 16 model years to get them?</p>
<p>If that’s the case only the F56 would have the improved performance & fuel economy for the 2014 model year leaving all others to continue with the Prince engine for 1-2 more years until they each reach their projected makeover timetable. Is that the plan??? Sure hope not…..</p>
<p>As models are updated into the F5X generation, they’ll get the new engines. The R5X models will continue essentially unchanged until they are either brought forward onto the new platform or are killed off entirely.</p>
<p>I’ll give you three guesses which of those is more likely for the Coupe.</p>
<p>My guess re the Coupe, is it’ll disappear in its current form & be replaced by an an new 2 seater model that’s not based on the upcoming F56, (like the current Coupe is to the current R56).</p>
<p>Of course, who knows what will actually happen down the road when the R58 reaches the end of its tenure. It’s sales seem to be pretty low, but i wonder what they were projected to be when the car was introduced???</p>
<p>I do like my 2012 JCW Coupe alot, but I have to admit that, my previous ’08 MCS was more practical for me. For normal everyday usage, the JCW Coupe is just being held back from what it’s meant to do…drive really fast on winding roads. But I can’t do that in my usual day to day routine when I head out each day on local Tampa roads….which is kind of a waste. My next MINI (yep, another one) may be an S Paceman…more functional but still sporty on a larger scale than the R56 & eventual F56.</p>
<p>If BMW and Toyota can work out a deal on a shared RWD platform to underpin a new Celica and Z2, then yeah, I think you’re right. If that plan doesn’t work out, I wouldn’t be surprised to see both the R58 and R59 fade into the sunset, sans heirs.</p>
<p>That’s the plan as we’ve reported in the past. It’s a common industry practice but BMW has been known to surprise us.</p>
<p>BMW has a history of introducing new engines mid-cycle and carrying them over between generations. While I don’t expect we will see this on the current R5x MINI platforms, we may begin to see that pattern starting with the UKL1. Just speculation of course.</p>
<p>187hp is a little disappointing for the MCS, but perhaps the power to rate ratio will be better if there are weight losses involved. Is there likely to be a JCW retune available on the stock MCS, in addition to a later separate JCW model? My stock R56 MCS (175) developed a healthy 191hp / 211 lb ft, I don’t want less!</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that any increases is torque will make the power you have much more useful. The car will feel more powerful and actually end up faster in non-dragstrip situations.</p>
<p>I appreciate that in reality it is down to feel, and we won’t know how it feels until we drive one!</p>
<p>I hate all this USA MPG what that in the UK????? I was uyp in the Highlands and got 52 MPG real with the Comp on 54.5 MPG.</p>
<p>What are these gallons of which you speak?? lol. The US gallon is 3.785 litres and the UK gallon is 4.546 litres …… so 1.2 times as big. Multiply US mpg by 1.2 to get UK mpg. eg US 40mpg is UK 48mpg</p>
<p>All the competitors are downsizing their engines. MINI, on the contrary, is increasing the displacement of their top-of-the-range engine… without any significant increase in power. With this F56, I really think MINI is loosing its soul :-(</p>
<p>Worst engine ever made, barnone. Serious design defects like the self destructing timing chain tensioner, prone to premature failure water pumps (Main and turbo). Sweet engine when it runs but at least the N14 Turbo Prince is a reliability nightmare. The issues I have had with the Prince Engine, I never experienced with the “Lowly” Chrysler TRITEC, which was BULLETPROOF in N/A and S/C forms. I trust the Tritecs in the road today will outlive the Prince engines.
Good riddeance.</p>
<p>Love the Lump.</p>
<p>Dumb question here,but Does that mean no more turbo on the S and JCW? :(</p>
<p>No no. Turbos are here to stay. Even the next Cooper will be turbo in the F56.</p>
<p>187hp turbo? That seems kind of ridculously super detuned. Isn’t the Kia 2.0 about that in hp already?</p>
<p>HP numbers aren’t everything. I am sure MINI are going to be concerned about efficiency, torque and power delivery. I don’t think it is worthwhile to cater to the HP number buyers – there are plenty of less expensive cars with more HP available.</p>
<p>YESSSS!!!! That’s great to know! But 187hp from a 2.0 turbo seems a bit low,considering the 1.6 turbo already puts out over 180hp.Maybe we’ll see a bigger improvement in torque?</p>
<p>We expect to see various levels of power across the range, better torque throughout, and better MPG across the board.</p>
<p>I still can’t believe they will put a 2 liters engine in a Mini. No wonder the bonnet looks so long.
I would have though it made sense to have the 1.5 liter across the range at difference tune level…. But would do I know</p>
<p>Pretty sure 400cc isn’t going to take up all THAT much extra room, especially since the MINI is already currently a 4-cylinder.</p>
<p>I think the biggest gains come from the increase in tourque the new engines provide especially the 3cyl. Most people like to look at HP ratings but from the info I got the 3cyl will produce 220nm vs 160nm. It should shave off about 2 seconds 0-100 for cooper variants.</p>
<p>I see so many people talk about horsepower numbers. Apparently they don’t understand that torque is the more important number.
Are we to assume MINI will continue using the Prince engine in all other models until 2016?</p>
<p>Most likely yes, the previous engine will continue in all non-hatch models until they’re updated. However, we don’t know yet how aggressively those other models will be rolled out. In the past, BMW has done engine swaps in models pre-refresh, but they’ve never done that with MINI. Given how different the two platforms are, I wouldn’t expect them to do that in this case.</p>
<p>Agreed – torque on the MINI is awesome and is why it is so much fun to drive around town. Even the base engine is surprisingly quick. Give me more torque and All4 on the hatch please!</p>
<p>I have a feeling you’ll get exactly that.</p>
<p>That is awesome – MINI might actually give me a reason to replace my R56 JCW hatch in 2yrs with another MINI.</p>