http://www.leftlanenews.com/2007/02/08/report-bmw-to-offer-all-wheel-drive-mini-in-2008/

 

will there be desiel vesion with the pug 1.9 td engine that is a beast of an engine ive driven one to 140 mph

 

Oh sure, NOW I find that out after I ordered my '07

 

I can only hope.... But it would be wayyyy too cool so I don't think it will happen....

Also, I'd expect a production version to be front mostly with rear kicking in as needed, a la MDX. This tends to get better gas mileage..... But a sporting rear bias like the demo Getrag cars would be totally hot!

Matt

 

wow. That will be the car I get. Thank you so much for posting this.

 

I wouldn't hold your breath for AWD to be introduced at the launch of the clubman. It should happen at some point in the R55/R56 production though.

Also, a diesel engine is not likely to happen for the R56 in the U.S.

 

It will hardly matter if MCSs are still only putting out ~170BHP and much less AWHP. As it is, the car is way underpowered. Putting the car up into the 300AWHP range stock would put a dent in WRX sales. Otherwise it will be just another novelty on a novelty car.

Also, I hope they're putting in a well-thought-out AWD system and not marketing AWD (MAWD). Otherwise the car is just going to be a really cute Justy.

 

A HP boost would be awesome, but I really dont plan on keeping the car stock for long either way...

 

And if the Clubman flops, it could take down the whole plan. Are people who buy station wagons going to think of the Clubman when they ponder hauling hordes of Britneys/Justins/whatever to <your_child-overtasking_activity_here>? This AWD is a cancelled project waiting to happen.

 

Here's my prediction: The Clubman will outsell the Cooper.

There are a significant number of people who have ruled out the Cooper because they see it as too small and not being anything other than a weekend toy. The Clubman is here to appeal to a broader cross-section of buyers and I have confidence that sales will outstrip expectations.

 

Also consider Subaru will be making the entire Impreza line hatchbacks for 2008/2009. I have seen spy photos of a 2-door hatch, and there will even be STI versions as well... think about it... 300hp, AWD, 2doors... I'd say that would crimp this AWD MINI idea pretty badly.

RM2k5

 

Good point, double up the drivetrain loss, pack on more weight, change the handling characteristics - should really improve the car - not.

 

good thoughts. the MINI has so much more class though...

 

Yeah, but I think class alone may not be enough. We all know the style/class/refinement of the MINI is way above the Suby-crowd, but when you start talking about adding AWD to an already pricey small car, you start looking at real money. I wouldn't be surpised if the base AWD Cooper S starts around $25K... add on any of the popular options and now you're staring down the barrell of $30K+... thats starting to look like real money.

RM2k5

 

I think you meant to respond to Mcdbrendan.....

However, I agree with you. A classy car that is more expensive with 12% less horsepower to the wheels and 150 lbs more weight is going to be a hard sell to an enthiusiast.

 

Damn you guys are good. I am still leaning to an '06 MCS in a few years...

 

Yup. My bad.

RM2k5

 

Yeah but with a JCW AWD that got me interested.

I just might have to trade in my RAV4. Jack up the AWD and go offroading!!! No wait ... I dont live in Utah. Sigh.

 

Plus Subaru's AWD implementation has been improved significantly in recent years. Symmetrical AWD, though rally-bred, is great on the street, making me wonder if the Nissan GT-R's more street-oriented implementation, which looks more like what BMW is doing with the MINI, is getting dated.

 

I'll bet you a beer that if they produce a 215 hp R56 JCW with all wheel drive that your RAV4 will still smoke it off the line.

 

And an enthusiast who is going to spend >$30K on a MINI, might entertain the idea of getting something more proven like an STI.

 

shh ... dont tell that to C4 ... and I'll still be able to haul dirt in it!

 

True, but they're still hopelessly hideous, and most people buy cars based on how they look. I like STIs a lot because of their drivetrain and am seriously considering one because of that, but I would not delude myself into thinking that they look like anything other than retro-80s riced-out Hondas. Turning them into hatchbacks is merely a change from retro-Accord to retro-Civic.

 

Don't agree that the clubman will succeed here. If I needed or wanted more room than a current cooper, a clubman wouldn't be my choice. Maybe good for European Market, but people are too SUV and mini van bred over here when they need room for more than 2.

 

You guys are forgetting who makes the Mini. BMW. They dont F things up, when it comes to performance...