Even though my test drive involved about 5 miles I was blown away with the Mini, but I wondered about something...AWD! Seeing that Mini is owned by BMW the technology is there, but does anyone think down the road this is possible I can see it now, x-drive, 6spd and about 210 hp and 230 ft/lbs of torque, how does that sound!

 

not just possible, very likely. AWD has been heavily hinted at as being something that will be offered with the 2nd generation MINIs. It's just a matter of time.

 

the search button is in the upper right corner

also check out www.motoringfile.com and search for awd

but here is a old story http://motoringfile.com/2005/12/01/d...d-getrag-mini/

 

I'll hear all manner of screams, but I would rather have rear wheel drive than 4 wheel drive.

If the Mini was only available in AWD, I would not buy one.

 

If MINI does release an AWD per the rumors, I'd probably get one, turn the center diff into a locked spool, and take out the front drive shafts! WOO HOO!

 

This is probably the one thing that would keep me from buying my car when the lease is up, I guess we'll have to stay tuned

 

It would be interesting to see what it did to the price too!

 

HERE HERE!!! HA HA!

 

I like the way you think.

 

My reading on this forum tells me that the MC fares very well in bad weather conditions and that the car handles better than almost all other cars in spirited driving on the twisties.

Audi lauds their Quattro primarily for the way it improves handling in normal weather. Subaru, on the other hand is very popular in areas where foul weather is common.

If the Mini Cooper already does well in both these categories, what great gain will come from AWD?

 

Thank you! With an AWD MINI, I only see possibilities!


--->Ken Cooper: AWD makes an already fantastic chassis even better; there's never too much traction in foul weather, and AWD help that tremendously. However, from my perspective, AWD adds one major facet; MORE FUN!

 

AWD also adds weight and drag on the powertrain. This is not good for handling, nor fuel economy.

I like our Subaru (Outback) in foul weather and it's a very nice car overall, but my Cooper is a much better handling car.

To me, the only dry-weather performance benefit of AWD is increased corner exit traction. The Cooper, with all of it's 110 ft*lbs of torque, would probably gain nothing from AWD other than foul weather capability. AWD might help a Cooper S, but the extra weight would probably make for an overall slower car on dry pavement - unless the AWD came with a healthy bump in power.

Overall, I like RWD the most on dry pavement, of course.

Also, keep in mind that there are MANY kinds of AWD systems. They all have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

FWIW, the getrag system on the R53 that was tested added 80 kg (176 lbs) to the car. Not bad. I'd take AWD in exchange for the weight of one passenger.

 

you will not see a rear wheel drive MINI from the factory. It has been deemed "un-mini"


Awd is the only possiblity for a number of reasons... mainly because it would be difficult to adopt this chassis to rear wheel drive due to the transversly mounted enigne...

and also the fact that the Mini was the first car to have a transversely mounted front wheel drive layout in mass production.

 

If a '250+hp AWD Mini' that retains current styling was announced, I would order the sleeper from hell.

No bright colors, no fancy alloys, body color roof etc, if it came with 'X' badges they would come off too.

It think it would be amazing fun......

 

Ya, even though I have a generally suspicious outlook on AWD , I'd like a Mini like that. Problem is with Mini pricing, you'd be looking at $40k

They do make a Lancer Evolution RS which has no spoiler, but still has the big airdam/scoops in front. Semi-sleeper. Also, Subaru has the STI-Limited, which is very toned down and wickedly fast. However, I think the current "sleeper from hell" is the 335i sedan. Can I get a Ric-Flair "WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"?