BMW Mini: a potential eco-platform?
 

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....027646_450.jpg

Until this weekend, I have to admit I'd never paid much attention to the BMW Mini.

Partly because I assumed they were, like the New Beetle (which is about the size of a Golf), a fairly porky car despite their diminitive originals.

Wrong!

There was one parked at the end of the row at a used car lot, and I pulled beside with the ForkenSwift ... the GIANT ForkenSwift! Yes, a 1992 Geo Metro appears larger in all dimensions than a BMW Mini.

Which got me wondering, how heavy is it? Do these things have any potential as an eco-mobile? I know they're offered with an efficient diesel in Europe.

Anyone ever driven one? Are they stupidly geared and overpowered for the North American market, like all the other international variants we get?

The first generation cars have engine and transmission lifted straight out of the Dodge Neon with displacement reduced to 1.6 liter. Second gen have Peugeot engines. The second gen cars are supposed to be much more efficient but uglier in my opinion.

About the transmission... that's interesting. Considering the Neon probably has a torquier engine, that might mean there are taller gearing or final drive options for modders.

The Mini is a porker for its size though: according to Wikipedia, 2500 lbs (!!) for the 1st gen (BMW): 2,496 lb (1,132 kg)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_%28BMW%29

They weigh about 2500lbs IIRC.

.68:1 is sixth gear, and a 4.35 axle ratio...

New MINI Cooper Hardtop Specs @ Autotropolis.com

EDIT: Beat me to it.

Of course, the aero isn't good either (AutoBlog says Cd is .33 on current Coopers, .35 on previous ones), but it could be tweaked.

It does have wide tires and it geared towards people who want a sporty car so it seems like there is alot of room for improvement.
thing I found interesting is the Mini Clubmen gets the same mileage but is longer with more space in the back.

Hello -

A few years ago they started offering the base Mini with 6 speed tranny and 27/36 new EPA MPG. Also keep in mind that the Mini *requires* premium gasoline.

I think you won't find light weight in any new production car unless you go exotic with high $ materials.

CarloSW2

MetroMPG -

Start with losing those side-view mirrors.

CarloSW2

Not true!

The 2010 Ford Fiesta (likely larger than the first gen. BMW Mini): Curb weight 2150–2250 lb (source)

That's the lightest weight 4-seater in the North American market that I'm aware of.

The two seat 2010 Smart Fortwo is even lighter at 1808 lbs.

MetroMPG -

Ok, that's great news. On the other hand, I don't count the Smart as a "normal" car. Because of the trade-offs, I think of it as an enclosed motorcycle.

CarloSW2

My teacher has a stick-shift Mini. He named his dog after it. He has tried hypermiling, and got ti to above 40, and the Mini's EPA HWY rating for the manual is 40. Its a small car, and hes a tall guy, but somehow he fits.

The Smart and Mini are practically the same as far as MPGs and fuel type. They both get around 40 on the highway, and take premium fuel, but the mini is shorter, but has a larger trunk and is overall a bigger vehicle. Especially the Clubman. BMW has their Mini's, Mercedes has their Smart's.

Carlos, yes: an enclosed sociable motorbike with heat, slightly more stowage, no need for helmets ... and better handling in the snow!

---

I found out a friend just got a Mini.

He has a Nissan V6 pickup truck (not the giant one). He changed jobs to one with a 200 km (120 mi) round trip daily commute, so he went looking for a commuter car.

He got the Works edition though - the supercharged one.

MetroMPG -

Eeeeeeeeyup. This is the POV I use when I talk to people that criticise the Smart. By *not* comparing it to a conventional car, I am able to neutralize their argument.

There are 4 Minis on Ecomodder, but they don't have much fuel log data. Here is one at 27% over new EPA MPG :

Details: Mini - 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible Fuel Economy - EcoModder.com
2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible Gas Mileage (Mini) - EcoModder.com

CarloSW2

Hmm, and convertible too.

Maybe my friend will let me take his for a drive... I could do a speed vs. MPG graph for it.

This is why the Toyota/Scion iQ would be so good: 4 seats (well 3+1 -- the Mini is really 2+2?), and ~1,850 pounds, and a Cd around .29.

C'mon Toyota!

If you are looking at it from the FE perspective, the fiesta is worth waiting for. It even has a double clutch 6 speed automatic available and a direct injection 1.6 for used mini money and I bet a bigger interior. The mini is seriously small inside. The rear seat is useless for adults. The mazda2 which the fiesta is based on is lighter still and will on sale in the US a few months after the fiesta.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LKZoesnSsU

Back in May of 2008 I went on a road trip with my cousin in his 08 Cooper S with a 6-speed. I got to drive the entire length of Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park and then a couple hundred miles in southern Virginia. I averaged about 44mpg.

This was doing about 35 - 45 mph on moderately windy roads with some significant elevation changes. At 35 mph I had to stay in 5th gear to keep the turbo calm.

My cousin said he typically gets about 38mpg driving on the Washington beltway at rush hour. I guess that's good for his slightly aggressive driving.

So how often do you want/need to haul around more than one other adult?

The few times I need to haul around more than 1 other adult we can take a bigger car, or two cars. My noveau "hunk of Detroit iron" will be around for a while longer, and it seats 4 adults in supreme comfort.

The Fiesta is a car I'm waiting for. It sounds like it could meet my needs for a daily driver nicely.

My Avatar, a.k.a. the bloke to my left (i.e. <---- for the females, I am married...) designed the original Mini (i.e. not MINI).

His goal was maximum interior space efficiency, low weight and handling over cars of the day (1959). I think Alec's masterpiece was far and away a more radical advance than the MINI is over anything else. He got 80% of the length devoted to the passengers vs the grubby bits, only beaten (slightly) by the Citroen AX as far as I know.

Is the BMW MINI an advance at all ? To be honest it struggles to be any kind of advance over an average European hatchback. Anyone who thinks it is hasn't driven a Peugeot 205, and that was designed as a "normal" economy hatchback, not a nerdy car for esate agents.

Anyway, I chose my car (the silver one in these vids) because it nails MINIs :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNMVzyl-cC4
Fabia vRS vs. Mini-Cooper

and thats before mine gets mapped. :eek:

...it's torque (TQ) that produces horsepower (HP), not the other way around!

HP = TQ x RPM/5252

..but, I love the MINI better, and have since it's early days as a "...rollerskate on railroad track..." rally and racing days!