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2014 Mini Cooper spy photos caught test - Car and Driver

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Rybold, Mar 29, 2011.

  1. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    First of all, I'm not sure how they figure this is an authentic/genuine BMW Mini Hybrid test vehicle. However, because it's from Car and Driver, I hope that by putting their reputation on the line in spreading correct/false rumors, they have identified this as a genuine BMW Mini test vehicle.

    2014 Mini Cooper Hybrid Spy Photos

    .
     
    #1 Rybold, Mar 29, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Awd hybrid MINI = nice. FWD 1 Series? wow... I think I just puked. The Ultimate Driving Machine!

    If BMW can pull off that kind of packaging in a car like the MINI, I'm sure Toyota can pull it off with a Prius. A 4WD-i Prius would be perfect for those of us in snow/ice country. It might take an mpg hit due to extra weight but hopefully not too much.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Mar 30, 2011
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #3 cwerdna, Mar 30, 2011
  4. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Whatever happened to active suspension? I recall Lotus working on this years ago. It sounded promising at the time, but it was probably banned from racing, and proved too expensive for production.

    And for the ultimate in traction, I wonder if car makers could learn something from railway locomotive design. Diesel electric hybrids have been around for a long time, and they put down some incredible horsepower with nary a slip.
     
    #4 hyo silver, Mar 30, 2011
  5. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

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    #5 UsedToLoveCars, Mar 30, 2011
  6. studioRS

    studioRS Junior Member

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    Yes, this appears to be true. Motoringfile has the scoop on it.
     
    #6 studioRS, Mar 30, 2011
  7. studioRS

    studioRS Junior Member

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    I think it is a great idea, and now an owner of a 2011 Prius would even consider upgrading my 2006 MINI Cooper S to this.
     
    #7 studioRS, Mar 30, 2011
  8. studioRS

    studioRS Junior Member

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    An AWD hybrid MINI would be an amazing hoot to drive also! I get enough kicks with my FWD in the snow now (excuse the multiple posts, just trying to get my count to 5 so I can post a photo)!
     
    #8 studioRS, Mar 30, 2011
  9. studioRS

    studioRS Junior Member

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    Ok, here we go...

    [​IMG] 
    This isn't the MINI, but BMW Efficient Dynamics hybrid system seen in the photo

    See http://www.motoringfile.com
    More photos here http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-mini-cooper-hybrid-with-awd

    My daily driver is a 2006 MINI Cooper S and I was waiting to see when BMW/MINI saw the hybrid light, hopefully they will put it into production.

    Just bought a 2011 Toyota Prius Two, blue ribbon this last weekend for the wife. Replaces her 1995 Audi S6 with 210,000 mi on the clock.
     
    #9 studioRS, Mar 30, 2011
  10. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Hmmmmmm -
    There's a handfull of (so-called) EV-mini's running around the landscape. Lease only, so they can be taken back some day - and, they were "gliders" sent to the conversion shop ... thus - not really a factory mini. No room for batteries, they had to ditch the back seat, in order to have a snowball's chance of any real world driving range.
    So now, you're down to 2 seats ... and besides batteries, you want to add some kind of HSD, AND an ICE? Will it too, be ($850.00) another 'lease-only', like the EV-Mini? Will it be another after market-glider project? ... or a true "from the ground up" mini cooper. Good for them, if they can make it all work.
     
    #10 hill, Mar 30, 2011
  11. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I don't think people will go for a system that requires sand refilling.
     
    #11 Trollbait, Mar 30, 2011
  12. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    The bmw rumors are about fwd z2 and a 0 series. BMW is pressing against the new european mileage requirements, and the only way they can see hitting the numbers is smaller fwd cars. I don't think we need to worry about the 3,5,and 7 going fwd. It would be cool if they put in a rear engined hybrid like their prototypes.

    The phv prius would only need some software and an additional electric motor on the rear axle. It would add very little weight and increase acceleration and regenerative braking. I don't think Toyota really will build it because it will increase the price.
     
    #12 austingreen, Mar 30, 2011
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    What type of active suspension?

    I was just thinking it as I was reading that thread (it came up before this one in the New Post)

    Well MB and Audi have FWD cars, I guess it was only a matter of time before BMW jumped on board.


    I suppose but a typical AWD system is $1,500-$2,000 more in Canada.
     
    #13 Tideland Prius, Mar 31, 2011
  14. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    That is about the step up lexus charges on the RX450h to go from 2wd to 4wd. I think in the standard prius, the engine isn't powerful enough to provide energy for 4wd without a bigger battery buffer. I think they could do it with the prius phv and it might also provide for better fuel economy. In the gen 4, toyota could easily design it in, as bmw seems to be doing.
     
    #14 austingreen, Apr 1, 2011
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    But the question is power vs. mpg. I've always though the 1.5 litre was "adequate", part of the 'just enough" philosophy that endowed the Gen 2 Prius. The 1.8 litre in the Gen 3 gives it a bit more oomph but doesn't stray too far (i.e. excessive power that will rarely be used). I would prefer if the Prius didn't go to 2.0 litre the next round. 1.8 litre is plenty (esp. if ICE technology involves to get more power per drop of fuel. DI seems to bump hp but not so much torque. This can be supplemented in a hybrid by the battery. I'm surprised it wasn't included in the Gen 3 (cost?) as well as dual VVT-i.
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Apr 3, 2011
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