I haven't seen any comments on this quote from a speech by Ian Robertson at the Mini Press Conference during the Geneva show:

"As I mentioned, the MINI Countryman is the first MINI which offers all-wheel-drive. The MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper D will be available with the optional permanent all-wheel-drive system, which we call MINI ALL4."

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/03/...pt/#more-11394

Is this old news? Seems like a B.F.D. - wonder when it will be available, and whether it's coming to the States?

 

An all wheel drive JCW S, especially one modified, would be positively sick! Biggest problem launching high power Mini's is the FWD architecture with rear weight transfer during acceleration from rest. AWD could break it into the 4's 0-60!

 

No interest in AWD but I wish they'd offer a RWD variant.

But it should no longer be called a Mini in deference to Mini history.

 

if that happens, so much for 30+mpg.

 

Where do I sign up for an AWD MINI??!!

 

The 4WD drivetrain would add significant weight to the platform. But I'll withhold judgment on it until I can drive it. It worked wonders for the Golf R32, despite the huge weight penalty (almost 400 lbs on the Mk4 version).

 

+1

 

This migh be me but, I am pretty sure he was refering to the Countryman across the board on that one and not refering to the hardtop. And the reason I say that is because they are reffereing to the Countryman in that paragraph and this would be the first of anyone saying anythin about the other models gettign awd.

 

I was really hoping that you're wrong, so after re-reading that paragraph it's looking like you're right.

 

It's only the Countryman, and an option at that...but it's not much of a Mini to me (JMHO). But a cool idea if you're in the market for a 4 door micro crossover....just losing the Mini feel if you ask me.

 

So they're referring to the Countryman as the "Mini Cooper S Countryman", or "Mini Cooper S" for short?

Be specific Mini!

 

I wonder if you could modify yours to work if you bought all the nessisary parts, much like how we can make the 07 to 09 rear aluminum trailing arms work on our R53's (02-06)

 

Every MINI is refered to as a Cooper(ie Cooper Clubman, Cooper Cabrio)

 

This is why it is hard to explain to non car-people that MINI is the company's name. And it isn't a "Cooper MINI".. it is MINI Cooper.

 

Yep try the Tag office those people just don't get it