Filed under: MINI
Hey MINI, why don't you get mini again?
Didja notice that the latest MINI, the ClubMan, does not exactly live up to the mini moniker? Over the years, as vehicle sizes in general have enlarged, the MINI has followed suit. But, according to Motoring File, there is a possibility that BMW has decided a smaller MINI - and actual mini - should become part of the marque's lineup in 2011 or 2012. There's a good chance that, if this is accurate, this mini-MINI is being designed to give BMW some low-CO2 sales that would meet the EU's upcoming regulations. According to Motoring File, the tiny car might cost just £8,500, which is quite a few quid (about £2,000 to £3,000) cheaper than the current low-end MINI.
One of the main disappointments of the current MINI is the poor mileage (for a car of its size). The MINI Cooper S Convertible, for example, gets just 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. A more-classically-sized MINI should do much, much better. Now, would you buy one?
[Source: Motoring File via Autoblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SuperQ 9:15PM (9/18/2007)
A lot of the MPG problems with the mini are not related to the size. They are related to the wegith. A 2007 MINI Cooper Convertible weighs 2700 pounds. A mk4 VW Golf weighs 2863 pounds, and gets similar MPG. The newer VW Rabbit has gained some weight at 3041 pounds.
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therealcmj 9:33PM (9/18/2007)
I don't know about the convertible, but I have an 07 Cooper S and it gets at least 36 MPG on highway. It does require 93 octane gas to get those numbers though.
The current Cooper is indeed quite a bit bigger than you would think and than it looks on the outside. That said most people I talk to think it's too small to replace their SUV or sedan.
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annoyed 12:36AM (9/19/2007)
I'm sorry but I'm fed up of people going on about the Clubman and how it's not in keeping with the mini concept. DO SOME FREAKIN' RESEARCH. What is this then. http://www.caradisiac.com/media/images/le_mag/mag248/mini-concept-frankfurt-5b.jpg
Oh look a classic mini wagon, how strange.
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Tony Belding 1:44AM (9/19/2007)
So what we want would be. . . something like this?
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Think.jpeg
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Matt 1:48AM (9/19/2007)
The poor fuel economy cited is for the sport model, and a convertible, no less! The person who picks the Cooper S is putting performance higher up than fuel economy.
The base Mini Cooper gets 32/40 which isn't all that bad. If you're going to compare apples to apples, please use similar products. Apparently, the Mini Cooper One and Mini Cooper D in Europe get 40mpg average!
A lot of European models don't come over to the states with the super-ultra-small engine choices usually offered over there.
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David 8:57AM (9/19/2007)
Firstly, if you compare model-to-model between last generation and the current generation MINI, they've LOST weight. 2006 MCS curb weight: 2679. 2007 MCS curb weight: 2668.
Secondly, you all are on crack if you think 32/40 is low gas mileage, which is what the current, lighter-weight, newer-tech-engined MC is rated by the EPA.
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amg 2:26PM (9/19/2007)
Sorry Matt and David, but the 32/40 is estimated from the old and very outdated EPA rating system. Based on the new criteria, which is considered to reflect real-world driving more accurately, the mileage is only 27/36 (for manual) and 26/33 (for automatic). I'm not saying those are necessarily bad numbers compared to others in the class, but for its size and use of premium fuel, it's be nice to see higher MPG numbers than those.
And I think it's not just a weight/size issue, but it's also an issue of what Americans consider to be good performance. If people were willing to sacrifice a few seconds to 60 MPH, I'm sure there could be a MINI that actually would get mid-30s/mid-40s. But I think Americans (probably males more so than females) have gotten to the point where they feel that they need 0-60 times under 10 seconds or the car is just not worth looking at. I'm hoping that changes, because frankly, I don't see anyone going full throttle at any point during my daily commute, and I think those bigger engines needed to achieve faster performance figures just suck more gas for little real-world benefit.
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amg 2:33PM (9/19/2007)
This may repeat what I just said, but since my comment didn't show up, I'll give the Cliff's notes version:
Mini Cooper 2007:
Old EPA estimate: 32/40 (manual)
New EPA estimate: 27/36 (manual)
You really should check out fueleconomy.gov for updated mileage estimates. 32/40 would be great, but there really aren't any non-hybrid 2008 cars that match those numbers. Not even the itty-bitty Toyota Yaris (29/36).
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Janice 5:26PM (11/09/2007)
Mini is now bringing out a diesel, that is reported to get 70 mpg. But, they're not importing it to the states. My daughter has a diesel Jetta, she loves it, it's quiet, doesn't smell and she gets 50 mpg when she drives (she walks to work.) How does the public consumer convince the industry to import the cars we want and not produce and import only low mpg muscle cars?
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adpenman2301 7:46AM (6/05/2008)
sorry but i cannot resist a new mini clubman argument...
get you're own research on the old mini clubman!
the picture you have linked in your post is of a Morris Traveller, which also went down as an Austin Mini Estate, but with much less wood, - which was basically a longer mini with a flat back, which could seat four people comfortably-ish[notice how there is no word "clubman" in that name]
the mini clubman saloon [technically all classic minis are 2-door saloons], the original that is, looks just like the normal orginal mini but has a sporty nose [almost like a MK1 fiesta but smaller]...
one day someone decided to make the Estate look that sporty thus creating the Mini 'Clubman' Estate.
BMW originally wanted to call their new Mini the traveller, but for many reasons decided not to [namely that the Traveller name was owned by Morris, completely seperate from Austin-Rover, and thus had no right to steal it]
Due to the way search engines work - even if you type "classic mini clubman" into google images you'll get the Mini Estates, or in your case the Morris Traveller, so search for "classic mini 1275GT" and that will show you the flat front that the original Clubman mini had [they tried making the Clubman drive as fast as it looked like it should]
so really, you should get your own research sorted out before you get annoyed at other peoples 'ignorant' opinions...
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