Mini to Offer AWD on 2008 Models

[Variance]

Mini to Offer AWD on 2008 Models

BMW will offer all-wheel-drive as an option on all of its 2008 Mini models, according to a report by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. The magazine said the system was developed for the extended-wheelbase Clubman, but would find its way into the rest of the 2008/2009 lineup.

Leftlane News

[Satty]

Someone will pay for it. Will that someone be me? That depends, 2009 is the timeframe I'm thinking I will buy my next car and a Mini Clubman would be a great choice, I'll have to see if the AWD effects the handling.

[ZL-1]

The concept of an AWD MINI with the 1.6L pushed to around 230hp (maybe as the next JCW) is interesting, but I'm afraid it might feel more 'Subaru WRX' than 'MINI Cooper'

However, what could a MINI Traveller mini-SUV be like? Or a modern-day MINI Moke?

[regfootball]

i don't think AWD fits the nature of this car very well, but if some buyers want it then that's alright.

[Sixty8panther]

Too bad it most likely will be Front-wheel biased.

It's pretty lame when a car sends at most 30% of

its power to the rear wheels and its marketed as

if it has amazing handeling all of a sudden.

[PurdueGuy]

Too bad it most likely will be Front-wheel biased.

It's pretty lame when a car sends at most 30% of

its power to the rear wheels and its marketed as

if it has amazing handeling all of a sudden.

well, considering the mini is currently FWD and already handles great... I don't see what you have to whine about.

[A Horse With No Name]

The big issue will be how stout the new powertrains are. The older Brazilian powertrains were not the best.

The Mini needs to stay a simple lower priced car IMHO. AWD on it is just Arch Idiot Stupid.

But a Clubman would be kinda cool.

Chris

[MyerShift]

The engines of the "old" Mini were Chrysler-derived, and we know how powerful they can become, if a little sensitive to head gaskets issues.

As for All Wheel Drive? Nifty, but no thank you.

"Weight is Always the Enemy"

[ZL-1]

The engines of the "old" Mini were Chrysler-derived

The diesel was the Toyota Yaris' 1.4L engine.

[MyerShift]

I obviously wasn't talking about the diesels since, duh, Chrysler doesn't have any of their own.

[Z-06]

What I never understood is why did BMW put Toy diesel in the Mini when they themself have amazing diesels.

[ZL-1]

What I never understood is why did BMW put Toy diesel in the Mini when they themself have amazing diesels.

My belief is that size and weight (BMW's smallest diesel is the 2.0L used in the 118d and 120d) plus the conversion to FWD cost were the main reasons to go with an outsourced diesel engine. The Toyota engine is quite nice in everyday use, and after 3 years I have absolutely no complaints re the engine.