I'm sure I'm not the first to think of this, but has anybody looked at the possibility of transplanting the ALL4 into a standard cooper? I want an AWD or RWD cooper. It would be awesome.

 

I don't see it being a problem, they put ALL4 in the Dooper in Europe.

 

Try it out...Tell us how you like it.

 

Google 'MINI Paceman' (or see below) and then stack your pennies for about another year.

Yes, that's an ALL4 badge on the door, and yes, it has been greenlighted for production.



Cheers,
Tad

 

I've driven an ALL4 Dooper, I went with the FWD instead, I felt it blunted the performance a fare bit, even though I live in an area which gets a decent amount of snow I've never really needed AWD, for winter I fit winter tyres.

Looking forward to seeing the Paceman, I supect all the drive train options will be as per the CM, although I doubt there will be a Paceman One, only Coopers.

 

Very interesting idea.

 

I doubt there would be enough clearance to fit the AWD rear diff or drive shaft. Once modified you would then have to contend with the chance the rear end would not be able to take just RWD abuse, it would have to function like or similar to the stock ALL4, not just RWD. If the parts were sourced for free to cheap and you had tons of time and a shop and skills, maybe but this is one of those things that becomes pie in the sky due to time and cost. Not to be all Negative Nancy and all, but I like where your head is at.

 

That's likely a lot of time and expense for an option that should make it to the next hardtop refresh for 2013...

 

I have some photos of the underside of the CM4 in my gallery - the rear drive might have enough room in the smaller car. See what you think.

 

the only thing i would change about my mini would be making it rear wheel drive. can't wait to see the paceman.

 

They are rumors about MINI adding a hybrid cooper. The electric engine would power the rear wheels and the petrol engine the front. Interesting concept!

 

I have never understood why you would want to haul around two engines when one would do!

I'm sure you could put the all4 gear in a Cooper, but for the $ of the conversion why not just get an All4 to start with? It seems like a bunch of money and time. Why not just get a Cooper bonnet for the All4?

 

If for no other reason than historical precedent.

http://mk1-performance-conversions.c...pics_twini.htm

There were two 'Twini' Minis and a 'Twini' Moke back in the 60s. John Cooper was nearly killed testing one, which led to the project being abandoned.

It was, therefore, an unfulfilled dream of the founder...

Cheers,
Tad

 

Let me rephrase that - why the hell would you want a gas / petrol engine AND an electric engine in a car? Why not just an efficient diesel?

As for the Twinis, yes! I remember seeing in MiniWorld a few years back that there was a guy (the one that makes all the titanium subframes etc) out of the UK that has a drag Mini with 2 engines. Bonkers!

 

When you look under the back of a non ALL4 CM there is a heap of room back there, I suspect there is plenty of space for an electric motor and battery pack.

And you can get an ALL4 Cooper D in Europe. To make this look like an S just change the ront bumper and grill, the hood is identical to all CM's, or you just buy an SD which comes with the S bumpers.

 

Except that BMW still won't pay to have a small diesel certified to meet US emissions restrictions... I would have LOVED to been able to buy a Countryman ALL4 SD -- would have grabbed one in a hearbeat!

 

I agree about the desirability of the CM4 SD. I recall from an interview with BMW that they keep building configurations to match US requirements (it takes quite a while to configure, build, and test), then the US changes the requirements. I think they've done three cycles so far. I expect that, if we can hold still for a little while, the SDs might make it in.

 

Find that a lame escuse...VW has offered a TDi diesel for more than 12 years in the US...longer in Canada. In fact they had more primitive diesels in Canada back in the '70s & '80s...my highschool friend has a Diesel Rabbit.