R56 Prince Engine
#1
Prince Engine
I've been reading up on the '07 Mini's "Prince Engine". As you may know, it is a joint effort between BMW and PSA (Peugeot/Citroen). What you may not have noticed is that the Country of Origin for this engine is Japan. Huh? What happened to Germany, France, or the UK? According to my vehicle sticker, the engine comes from Japan. I suspect it was built by Mitsubishi, since PSA had a previous relationship with them -- but I have been unable to confirm it.
Also in case you missed it, the Prince Engine engine won first place in their category for innovation in 2007, beating the Prius hybrid. See below.
"In the 1.4-1.8-litre category, the trophy was awarded jointly to BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen for the 1.6-litre turbo engine in the new MINI Cooper S and Peugeot 207."
1.4-litre to 1.8-litre
1. BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (Cooper S, Peugeot 207) 267
2. Toyota Hybrid 1.5-litre (Prius) 251
3. Audi 1.8-litre Turbo FSI (A3) 82
The Mini engine has the following notable innovations:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/...ange_in_detail
Also in case you missed it, the Prince Engine engine won first place in their category for innovation in 2007, beating the Prius hybrid. See below.
"In the 1.4-1.8-litre category, the trophy was awarded jointly to BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen for the 1.6-litre turbo engine in the new MINI Cooper S and Peugeot 207."
1.4-litre to 1.8-litre
1. BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (Cooper S, Peugeot 207) 267
2. Toyota Hybrid 1.5-litre (Prius) 251
3. Audi 1.8-litre Turbo FSI (A3) 82
The Mini engine has the following notable innovations:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/...ange_in_detail
- Fully variable valve drive
- Flow-controlled oil pump
- Single-belt drive of all ancillary units
- Individual ignition coils
- Composite camshafts
- Weight-optimised roller-type drag arms
- Cylinder head produced by lost-foam casting
- Direct gasoline injection for extra power and performance
- Twin-scroll exhaust gas turbocharger
- On-demand water pump
- Poly-V-belt with built-in tensioner
- Lightweight concept (including an aluminium crankcase, intake manifold and cylinder head cover made of a special plastic material)
#4
#7
Well I don't have my MINI yet, but that's what I've seen on all the stickers at the dealer, too. (not that I've been hanging around the dealer endlessly obsessing over all the pretty MINIs during the dealership's off-hours because I'm going stark raving mad waiting for my R56 Cooper which should be here TODAY!!!!)
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#8
When I picked up my MINI, there was a guy in the lot, wearing one of those plaid beenies, walking around, talking to every customer picking up cars. The MA told me he has been there ever since he ordered his. I assume/hope she meant he came there all the time, not that he took up residence in the lot. But, when I came home, I double-checked a Skuzzy post to make sure he hadn't moved to VA.
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#12
I know how you feel. And you are not coping. You are on the edge of exploding. The pressure has numbed your head. You have no idea what the heck is going on. Your mind is on auto-pilot for most things and oblivious to other things (what? who? Oh,..my Wife,..yes,..I have one of those..)
Trust me,.been there. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Just dunt(tm) mistake it for a stroke and you will be a-ok.
EDIT: Your Wife does not come from Oxford. Trust me on this. That mistake can lead to some interesting conversations.
Trust me,.been there. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Just dunt(tm) mistake it for a stroke and you will be a-ok.
EDIT: Your Wife does not come from Oxford. Trust me on this. That mistake can lead to some interesting conversations.
#14
So is it normal to seriously consider going on a clandestine nighttime excursion to the dealership to actually get a peek at my car??? I'd use my night-vision goggles, of course.
Sorry to go OT...frail condition here.
Last edited by gokartride; 05-23-2007 at 04:55 AM. Reason: to change one stinkin' letter!
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I know how you feel. And you are not coping. You are on the edge of exploding. The pressure has numbed your head. You have no idea what the heck is going on. Your mind is on auto-pilot for most things and oblivious to other things (what? who? Oh,..my Wife,..yes,..I have one of those..)
Last edited by amazingrando; 05-22-2007 at 10:33 PM.
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#25
The sticker was mounted to a door window -- not sure which one.
It still doesn't make any sense. Maybe some engines are built in FR and shipped to UK in matched sets (block and heads), but that doesn't explain the Japanese country of origin. Also, the fact that some stickers say FR and others Japan, indicates a difference. I guess I'm glad mine came from Japan (see below). Country Of Origin markings are generally a reliable measure of content - my experience. They have to be accurate for tax purposes and legal reasons. I'd bet some engines have final assembly in UK is for Value Added Tax purposes.
Why care? When first considering the '07 Mini, I looked into the reputation of B.M.Troubleyou and PSA. I stumbled across the article: http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-specia...350&EL=3142806
Mitsubishi is the 7th most reliable car company, followed by Peugeot (16), BMW (17), and finally Citroen (24th) -- out of 30 companies. Mini isn't listed individually.
Pardon me for writing this, but the new '07 Mini with a new engine coming out of the bottom half of the reliability pack, got my attention. I know, these are composite measures and we Mini owners deserve special consideration. I may have to retire my NG handle after this post.
It still doesn't make any sense. Maybe some engines are built in FR and shipped to UK in matched sets (block and heads), but that doesn't explain the Japanese country of origin. Also, the fact that some stickers say FR and others Japan, indicates a difference. I guess I'm glad mine came from Japan (see below). Country Of Origin markings are generally a reliable measure of content - my experience. They have to be accurate for tax purposes and legal reasons. I'd bet some engines have final assembly in UK is for Value Added Tax purposes.
Why care? When first considering the '07 Mini, I looked into the reputation of B.M.Troubleyou and PSA. I stumbled across the article: http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-specia...350&EL=3142806
Mitsubishi is the 7th most reliable car company, followed by Peugeot (16), BMW (17), and finally Citroen (24th) -- out of 30 companies. Mini isn't listed individually.
Pardon me for writing this, but the new '07 Mini with a new engine coming out of the bottom half of the reliability pack, got my attention. I know, these are composite measures and we Mini owners deserve special consideration. I may have to retire my NG handle after this post.