Thursday 31st March 2011

MINI Cooper S To Get Hybrid 4wd System?

Hybrid under test for next-gen MINI

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The old PH Fleet Cooper S

Rumours swirling the webnet suggest a MINI Cooper S has been spotted winter testing sporting 'Hybrid' stickers, with an electric motor clearly protruding from the rear.

So could the MINI soon be getting a hybrid four-wheel-drive system? It is no secret that MINI has been working feverishly to increase its model range and this could yet be another diversification of the MINI brand.

Despite already having a four-wheel-drive system in production on the MINI Countryman, parent company BMW has recently agreed a deal to share hybrid technologies "for front-wheel-drive applications" with PSA in a bid to reduce overall CO2 emissions in the face of forthcoming EU regulations.

Neither BMW nor Peugeot-Citroen has specified what sort of systems will be developed, but it looks as if in a MINI application that the front wheels will be driven by the same engine as the standard Cooper S and the rear by an electric motor, thus increasing power without affecting fuel consumption.

If it is to make production, it is likely that a hybrid MINI would be launched with the next generation of MINIs in either 2012 or 2013.

[mybrainhurts]

Bah...

[Andrew[MG]]

but it'll cost so much that you'll need to do 100,000 miles to make any saving on their hybrid system?

[ivantate]

I thought Peugeot had been talking about electric drive on the rear and petrol on the front for ages.

Hardly diversification of the brand either.

[Garlick]

Do I get paid for you using the pic of me and my MINI at Bedford?

Let's call it £50 Riggers......payment by 17.30 please.

[BMWill]

BMW's got a new 'I' line of cars, apparently they're thinking of setting up shop in Brazil with flex cars and now hybrid MINIs.
there's a lot going on recently...

[Hellbound]

Couldn't this be canny diversionary mule tactics and the hybrid system is initially for the Countryman only?

Anyway, people buy hybrids to save money in the short to medium terms. That is, on various taxes, immediate fuel and congestion charge costs, and also a relative premium in resale value. All these go towards offsetting the couple of grand extra they pay at the dealers. Also, owners develop a smug, earthly disposition.

They don't buy them so they can recoup the costs after 100,000 miles.

If London was full of hybrids and electric cars, walking alongside back to back traffic wouldn't give me such a bad chest. That's the only selfish reason why I'd champion the idea of heavier taxes for non hybrid cars in cities and greater subsidies for 'non-polluting' (at point of use-not at the factory where they're produced!) vehicles.

Edited by Hellbound on Wednesday 30th March 14:48

[Hellbound]

Garlick said:

Do I get paid for you using the pic of me and my MINI at Bedford?

Let's call it £50 Riggers......payment by 17.30 please.

Don't forget the 4299% APR incurred after the agreed term has lapsed.

[Mr Gear]

The Nissan Cube was available with an electric 4WD system too. It was a great idea... no transmission tunnel and less transmission losses.

If Mini were smart they could have some sort of active 4WD system that could provide more traction and lower emissions without any extra gearbox & transmission gubbins.

[The Wookie]

Can we just highlight this point please before the whole hybrid argument all kicks off yet again:

Article said:

increasing power without affecting fuel consumption

So this is the alternative to developing/fitting a bigger thirstier engine which would probably be lighter but wouldn't have the benefit of AWD traction.

[The Wookie]

Hellbound said:

Couldn't this be canny diversionary mule tactics and the hybrid system is initially for the Countryman only?

That's a good point

[EDLT]

Will this mean the Mini's boot will be even smaller?

[A Scotsman]

I've always hated the Mini. Now I detest it.

[frosted]

What is exactly wrong with a hybrid system again ?

[thinfourth2]

frosted said:

What is exactly wrong with a hybrid system again ?

Its not a V8 so must be hated

[Stuart]

Garlick said:

Do I get paid for you using the pic of me and my MINI at Bedford?

Let's call it £50 Riggers......payment by 17.30 please.

Where's that picture of Riggers near a MINI at Bedford when you need it?











Oh. Here it is.

[sinizter]

If this will reduce the BMW group's CO2 average or whatever - and allows to keep the M cars from getting smaller engines and larger turbos, then I'm all for it.

[cathalm]

A Scotsman said:

I've always hated the Mini. Now I detest it.

Fella, I imagine you could write a list of the things you don't hate on the head of a pin.

[Garlick]

Stuart said:

Pic of the year. Be calm ladies....

[John Slavin]

Similar system as is coming in the 5008, perhaps?

[thinfourth2]

Seems like a good idea.

Have boggo normal power plant up front being either wheezy diesel or up to the full fat petrol.

Round the back have the same electric stuff.