SAE Article: From Mini to MINI in 42 years

year Model
Body Trans

SEARCH:

Related to:

Top : technical information : general

SAE Article: From Mini to MINI in 42 years

Save This
Page

BMW's MINI Cooper is
powered by a four-cylinder,
1.6-L Pentagon gasoline
engine developed jointly by
BMW and DaimlerChrysler.

BMW's MINI Cooper is powered by a four-cylinder, 1.6-L Pentagon gasoline engine developed jointly by BMW and DaimlerChrysler. The problem with design icons is replacing them, but when BMW's concept of a near-production-ready version of the British Mini was first shown last year, there was little doubt that its creators had captured the styling essence of one of the world's most individualistic cars, but brought it into the 21st century. Now the MINI (BMW prefers all uppercase for its name to differentiate it from the original) has been officially launched and is in production at BMW's Oxford plant in the UK. During the late 1990s, when the Mini (which sold 5.3 million units) was still in production by Rover Group (then owned by BMW), there were various efforts at replacement concepts—but there is little doubt that the choice for production was the best of those. Not only does it carry the styling cues of the original, it has managed to retain the Mini's cheeky persona in a bigger, vastly more comfortable, practical package that wraps around modern safety and environmental systems. Initially available in three-door hatchback form (with side doors that open to an angle of 80°), other MINI variants are likely, including a pickup, station wagon, and convertible, with other possibilities such as a roadster. The three-door MINI has a very rigid bodyshell; BMW quotes a torsional rigidity of 24,500 N•m/° (18,100 lb•ft/°).

For the full text article and technical illustrations,
go to SAE Automotive Engineering Online

Article Date: Sep 05, 2001
Car Accociations: NEW_MINI,
Hits: 3533

Mini Cooper Specials

FRONT STRUT BRACE CARBON FIBER - MINI COOPER AND S Improve handling on your 2007+ R56 MINI Cooper and Cooper S and 2008+ R55 MINI Cooper and Coopers S CLUBMAN with our Carbon Fiber Strut Brace. Helps maintain front suspension geometry with the added [ More Info]

On SALE: $179.95
List Price: $259.95

ULTRIK ALLOY PEDAL SET MANUAL TRANS - MINI COOPER & S Add a little style and excitement to the interior of your MINI with the ULTRIK three-piece billet aluminum pedal set. These oversized pedals not only make it safer to drive but make it easier to use t [ More Info]

On SALE: $79.95
List Price: $89.95

Color options available

SILL PLATES STAGE 1 SCRIPT - PAIR -MINI COOPER & S Dress up the interior of your Mini Cooper and protect this high use area from scuffs and scratches with our polished stainless steel sill plates. The "Stage 1" logo lets people know this is a special [ More Info]

On CLEARANCE: $19.95
List Price: $39.95

PROTECTIVE HEADLIGHT FILM COVERS - MINI COOPER & S Protect your expensive headlights with these easily installed light covers. The optically clear covers stay soft to absorb most impacts from stones and gravel and fit perfectly. Protect your investmen [ More Info]

On SALE: $49.95
List Price: $60.95

Headlight Washer options available

OBD II CODE READER RESET SCAN TOOL - MINI COOPER AND S Scan/Reset Tool for MINI Cooper and Cooper S, 2001-2006 If you've ever had a 'check engine light' illuminate, you know the uneasy feeling of not knowing the seriousness of the problem. [ More Info]

On SALE: $129.95
List Price: $159.95

STORAGE TRAY CENTER CONSOLE - COOPER AND S Add a usable cubby hole to your MINI's interior. Loose change, lint and other pocket contents finally have a stylish, rubberized home to call their very own. Fits your 2007+ R56 MINI Cooper or [ More Info]

On SALE: $9.95
List Price: $12.95

CHROME SIDE REPEATERS CROSS-HATCH - COOPER AND S Just CHROME! If you have not noticed your side marker lamps, then it is time for a change. These chrome plastic side markers are a direct replacement for the stock units; easy installation. Sold per p [ More Info]

On SALE: $19.00
List Price: $49.95

KONI SPORT COILOVER SUSPENSION KIT - MINI COOPER AND S The sporting motorist who wants nothing but the very best in road-holding is offered a unique range of KONI suspension kits: complete kits consisting of matching KONI Sport shock absorbers and lowerin [ More Info]

On SALE: $1,129.95
List Price: $1,226.00