Tritec engines from China? It could happen. The New York Times reports this morning ("China Seeking Auto Industry, Piece by Piece," NY Times article) that the Lifan Group in China is the sole bidder for the Campo Largo factory in Brazil that produces the Tritec engines in 2002-2006 MINIs. According to the Times, DaimlerChrysler and BMW are independently assessing what they will do when their joint agreement for the plant expires at the end of next year. The Tritec engine is described as, "one of the most technologically sophisticated and fuel-efficient car engines in the world." (I knew that).

The Chinese plan to take the plant in Brazil apart, piece by piece, and reassemble it in China.

So, maybe the Tritec will have a much longer life cycle than expected.

 

MINI is switching to a Peugeot engine in 2007. By the time the Tritec is being built in China, it will not be used in the MINI.

 

Although MINI will change engines in 2007, some of us will have our MINIs with Tritec engines many years after that (I have an '05 MCS with only 9K miles). If Tritecs are built in China, tuner parts for our MINI engines may be a lot easier to find in later years.

 

From recent news reports, it looks like the Tritec might be used in some american cars. In the early 2000's, Jeep had toyed with the idea of bringing back the ****** Jeep using that engine. Now it looks like Dodge will use that engine in a small car it plans to release. Good news for the tuners who've devoted a lot of money to hop-ups for this stout engine.

 

"one of the most technologically sophisticated and fuel-efficient car engines in the world."

im sorry to burst you bubble but the engine is neither sophisticated nor fuel-effiecient. especially compared to cars overseas. it is based on an older SOHC design. BUT, I LOVE THIS ENGINE. it is reliable, nice linear power and is simple in design. i love it so much im trying to sell mt cooper and get one of the last MCSs before they switch over.

Oh and the MCSs supercharged version won ward's top ten engines in the world a few years back. outstanding engines just not technologically sophisticated and fuel-efficient.

 

Maybe they need to transfer the ECU map algorithm programming to
India next. ive yet to have the smooth response from my MCS
as my other cars. v42 from these Germans or Englishman... they all
look the same to me. jk