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I know that the power of the normally aspirated MINI gets discussed here and there, but I thought I'd add my 0.02 based on recent experience. For reference, the car is an '08 justa, six speed, 21K miles.
I drove from NC to Canaan Valley WV over the weekend. To get there, you go over three ridges going west from Harrisonburg VA on US33. it was just me in the car, with a (heavy) duffel bag, camera bag, and golf clubs. I had been getting indicated 41 MPG on the way north on I-81 (calculated 39.4), BTW.
Crossing the mountains, so long as I maintained momentum (>50-55 MPH), it would pull pretty well. When things got steep (like pulling out of some of the many sharp turns and switchbacks), I'd have to gear way down (usually 2nd). Going uphill, the car will bog if you let revs drop below 2500 RPM. If you keep it 2800-up, it will pull pretty good. To keep from bogging after a shift, I had to rev higher than usual, so that the engine wouldn't drop below 2800. Even with that "flogging," I got to Canaan with indicated 37.3 MPG, which is probably low 36s-high 35s actual.
So, in the steep stuff, you're not going to pass other vehicles on power in this car. Loaded down, you're probably going to row the shifter a lot in the mountains. But, none of that hurt the fun factor all that much. Hope that's helpful for someone.
__________________ HC Owners' Club #047
HC/S Clubman - Motoring since 07/31/2008!
HC Owners' Club #047
