Mini and MINI - Comparison
 

From here :

News : New MINI - a growing legend... - AROnline

How the super efficient Mini became the bloated "thing" that is the MINI

http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-ar...e5722-mini.jpg

From the Mini to the MINI involved an 80% weight increase - really ?

Issigonis must be rotating in his coffin right now....

I suspect the delta between the original Beetle and the "New" Beetle would be quite similar to the Mini to MINI delta. Porsche 356 to current Porsche 911. Original Fiat 500 to the current Fiat 500. Etc.

I fear that there is an element of tint rose to them their glasses..

Original minis were so light due to being tiny, with minimal features etc- the current mini is a lifestyle accessory with all mod cons.

The original was excellently packaged, but very poorly executed. And the carb fed A series could hardly be called efficient:)

Current one compromises on packaging (only seats 4), but some would argue has a better build quality..

Odd that the height is pretty much even?!

Some of the Japanese K-cars are conceptually closer to the original Austin Mini than the current BMW Mini, and they actually can get as much amenities as any regularly-sized car.

Going roughly by those measurements, the footprint of the original Mini is (very roughly) 5.7 cubic meters, with 3.8 cubic meters within the wheelbase.

The current MINI has a footprint of 9.3 cubic meters, with 6.1 cubic meters within the wheelbase.

That's a sixty percent increase of the space between the wheel arches, for an eighty five percent increase in weight. Part of that increase in weight also covers the extra safety, the (much much much) bigger and more powerful engine, the (much) bigger wheels, the more complex suspension and the extra luxury and insulation that comes standard with the new car.

I'd say it's about right. This is similar to that similarly misleading comaprison between the Chevelle diesel and the Cruze diesel. They are in no way similar in size or passenger carrying capability, and a fairer comparison would be one with a classic car of the same size.

Heck, even a Honda Civic has increased 30% in weight... go to wikipedia and check the oldest 1979 (2166 lbs) vs the newest 2013 (2815 lbs)... ~30% increase!

1966 Toyota Corolla > 1620 lbs
2013 Toyota Corolla > 2866 lbs

77% increase!

Of course the new ones are a lot more car, but then again I like the smallest, lightest thing I can find (wish I still had my Insight... ~1800 lbs).

80% more weight, and it still looks $h!!!!t€ ...
I'm already shivering thinking about the even uglier spin-offs Mini is certainly going to create starting from this one.

I bet Issigonis is spinning like a turbo these days.

Actually the only new Mini models I dislike are the 2-seater Roadster and Coupé, and that Paceman. Even the Countryman, which is too large for a Mini, has a proportional design.

I'll take the one on the right, please.