Do you think that Mini Factory will come out with higher displacement engine in the future to stay competitive? or stay with 1.6L as Super 1600 class.
What's your thought...and why?

 

I would think that the MINI would probably stay with the smaller engine.

Who knows though.

I don't own a MINI... yet. But have test driven the MINI Cooper S and it's very responsive, at least compared to my Ford Ranger and my wife's Lexus Rx300.

 

Stay competitive with what?

There's not a lot of space for anything bigger, if they increase the size of the car to fit a bigger engine, its no longer going to be a MINI any more. I'm not going to be interested if they do that. If a customer wants something bigger, BMW will be quite happy to sell them something like a 1 series.

 

They could easily put a 2.0 L engine in there, or a 2.4 - the physical size isn't affected all that much by the bore size, we're only talking 1/4 to 1/2" here.

The point is, why would they? Great fuel economy and light nimble handling are major parts of the MINI appeal, if you go adding a lot of HP you get unwanted side effects like torque steer, lower mileage, more heat and you have to start adding larger, heavier components to deal with it - weight begets weight.

I say keep it simple, keep it fun, keep it light, keep it mini........

 

Good points but look at other car manufacturers, almost everybody is going bigger engines and more HP even on their base eco cars but still have good fuel economy. Future engine options should not be limited to force induction only just like the classic minis before 850cc to 1275 cc. I think RMW is working in 1.8 L NA and now sells 2.0 L stroker SC. With BMW's philosophy of sports, I think that it is just a matter of time especially when the Mini craze will start to subside. HP sells.

 

Higher displacement = more weight. Not good for FWD.

 

BMW is a car enthusist's brand. They know how to market a car to certain individuals. While there are companies out there that will trash a MINI bceuae their car has more hp, BMW knows it has its loyal bunch. They built this car with just the right amount of hp for an awesome experience. they didn't overexaggerate the power like say for instance the Mazda Speed 3. This car gives you the true meaning and feeling of driving. Btwyx is right, step up to a 1 series if you must have a little more hp. BMW won't admit this, but they have the same concept as Toyota. Some people are now going to graduate and step up to an actual BMW car after driving a MINI. They may have their quirks, but they feel much more solid than any of the little econo boxes that claim to be like a MINI. That's why they have the JCW version. And I can guarantee you they are probably working on another GP type limited edition type car right now. Anything is possible, but I doubt they will put a higher displacement engine out anytime soon.

 

I believe MINI is where a LOT of automobiles are going to go with engines .Small displacement ,direct injection ,turbo ,great gas mileage

 

I suspect the JCW factory-tweaked engine will be the largest we will see in the near future, altho I have heard that Aisin, who supplies the automatic tranny, is developing a DSG-type 7-speed manual/auto tranny that may go into the next-gen cars, including JCW. (Aisin is also developing an 8-speed DSG for higher performance cars as well.)

 

Remember, the MINI is a world car, and for the most part only Americans have the "bigger is better" philosophy. Creating a bigger engine will only make the car bigger/heavier and that would be enough to have me shopping elsewhere.

 

Another angle on this is that MINI, with the R56, has already changed the 'formula' of the car, moving it away from the extraordinary feel of the R50-53 series. A bigger engine, and the change in feel it would place on the car, would not be out of line with the direction MINI is already on. IOW, it's not out of the realm of possibility.

 

Your's is just another opinion in the endless Gen I VS Gen II debate. I've owned both a 2006 and a 2008 with a 2009 JCW on the way, and there's nothing I liked better on the old one except for the supercharger whine.

 

Yes, it is absolutely a matter of opinion, but that's a large factor in the way cars are built and sold because the conumers' opinion plays a factor.

It has been said many times that MINI has slightly 'softened' up the car to appeal to a larger number of people. Not that it's a boat now. It's not. But it's not as connected - it doesn't have as much visceral feedback - as the older car. That is not solely my opinion.

So, with that in mind, it is not completely out of line to project that MINI could produce a larger engine for this car to allow it to run in a less, let's say, high strung manner. This would again move the car closer to the area where so many Americans, not us enthusiasts that populate message boards such as this, prefer - a 'friendlier' car that doesn't ask as much of its owner/driver. A car that provides more or the same power with less 'fuss.' It's simply the way so many Americans think, and if MINI/BMW wishes to capitalize on what Americans want (opinions, remember) they might consider going in that direction.

 

double ++1 on that! (and having real gauges, but that's it)

 

In some countries, a higher displacement engine puts the car into another category for tax and registration purposes. I know that in Japan, there is a cut off at 1.6L before it gets really expensive. It is all designed to limit large engined, big cars that suck fuel, take up space, and pollute more.

 

At least we don't have those toyish looking side grills.

 

So true. I would estimate that 85% of MINI owners could careless about modifying their cars. That's why the R56 was built the way it was. For the average driver. Somewhere in the redesign BMW got soft and forgot what the MINI was about IMO. Now that I think about it, I could see BMW throwing out a 1.8 or even a 2.0 liter engine in the future. The car is relatively young and once they see sales falling because other cars that may not look as good as a MINI are putting out 250 hp with a 2.0 liter engine and people are buying that, they could change their mind. And they might just do it for us egotistical Americans.

 

Mini owners take pride in their ride and BMW is a company who does not sit down and take a beating if the HP wars break in the supermini class. Even their 3 series has been constantly being upped in HP to keep up or stay ahead. To me, a 2.0 Li & force fed to 260 HP & 220 TQ factory option at 2600 lbs weight and with its timeless styling will be great.
Time will tell.

 

That's what I'd like to see. That might temp me to upgrade again.

 

You R53 guys crack me up. It's okay to love your car, but to intentionally or unintentionally disparage the owners of R56's is just so against the MINI vibe. I consider myself a car afficionado, I've owned close to 30 of them since I started driving in 1973. I've owned lots of sports and sporting cars ranging from Fiat X 1/9's to E46 M3's and Cayman S's. Some of your comments imply that I "settled" for the "average" R56. Total BS. I've paid my dues, driven my cars in auto-crosses and trackdays, roadraced motorcycles for 20 years...I did not make a mistake getting an R56 after owning an R53. Whatever...ya'll continue to enjoy your cars, I'll enjoy mine.

 

Actually, to be quite honest, the first time I ever bashed anybody for having an R56 was because they came in and made it a point to put R53s down. From what I've read in the past, most of the R53 vs R56 wars were started by R56 owners. Personally, I could careless what someone else drives. I hate Toyotas, but my wife has a 2000 Celica GT. Some people knock me for still driving my 1996 Suzuki Sidekick. While I'm not as old as you, I have owned 11 cars in my short time driving. If I want a 2nd gen MINI, I can go get one, but personally I like my R53 much better. Probably the same reason why some people like their "primitive" Spitfires over something Mazda puts out. Who knows what the future holds for me. I said I would never buy a BMW sourced MINI after having owned 5 classic Minis. Look at me now. i have owned 2 so far. Maybe one day I will change my mind, but as for right now, I will defend my R53s honor. Now, I don't think anybody wants to incite another R53 vs R56 war, so let's just stick with the original topic please. Why we think BMW will or will not add a bigger displacement engine to the Cooper lineup?