I've just found out from a media insider friend that the end of 2003, MINI will introduce the Cooper RS (Rally Sport) model, which will have all-wheel drive and about 220Hp from a further tweaked 1.6L 4-in-line supercharged engine. No word on styling, suspension, or pricing. Apparently the advertising will begin mid-summer, and production at the end of the year, as an '04 model. This will be about six months prior to the introduction of the 1-series BMW, a 2005 model.

 

Wooeeee! Sounds like fun to me-----By by Buster. Hope your scoop comes true.

 

If this is true....

It's a damn dirty trick from Mini to play on all of us suckers who "couldn't wait"!

 

ill believe it when i see it, i doubt it though

 

Hmmm, news would have come out for this already, but if it DOES come true, I'd sell my kidney for that :smile:
220hp + AWD in a mini = Droooooooooooooool

 

I'll keep the car I'm ordering... I'd kill myself in a 220 hp Mini.

 

And I told myself I would keep this MCS forever.

 

I agree on keeping the MCS, I don't need more HP and awd and no doubt more wieght. My source is extremely reliable, well known, and highly published; his B.S. is at a very minimum.

 

While this sounds REALLY nice, let's think about it for a second. What would MINI have to do to get the rear drive parts in the MINI.

Here is my list so far:

-drive shaft could go where the exhaust pipe is now but what do they do with the exhaust routing? Side pipes ! Yeah, that's it.
-the battery (assuming that this car would still be supercharged) may have to be relocated. Not sure about this one. But something tells me that this may have to happen. Maybe they go to a single muffler system and put the battery off to one side where one of the mufflers on the MCS are now.
-What about the suspension mounting points. I think I remember the rear struts probably being in the way of any half shaft. Any thing else in the way?

Sounds cool! Unfortunately, sounds expensive!

What about a rear engine racing MINI. That would be ultra cool. Who needs rear seats anyways?!?!?!!!!!

 

As my dad used to say...from your mouth to God's ears :smile:
I'll put a deposit on one...NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace,
D

 

I've heard a few rumors for such a set up. Now all I have to do is figure out what I have to morgage to get a beast like that!

 

I'd put a deposit down now if I could. 220HP?! Does it come with pre-written speeding tickets or let you earn them yourself? I love my pepperwhite (and I don't even have it yet) but I would sell it for this. Hey what am I saying......maybe it will come in pepper white! If I saw that it does I think I would need to go home and change my pants!

 

I'm there for sure. AWD with 220 hp - Are you kidding?!!!

It'll be turbo apparently, not supercharged. That, combined with the driveshaft engineering, tells me that we will see some significant design changes overall - in other words, maybe not revolutionary, but the evolution continues as MINI becomes BIG MINI.

Anyboy know of expansion plans at the plant? I hadn't heard any rumours to that effect. However, the MINI factory is geared to produce many more cars than current manufacturing output. I think BMW is having as much fun with this baby as we are, and they're letting their engineers and design team into the good drugs!

More Power. More Wheels. More MINI.

 

>>And I told myself I would keep this MCS forever.

Ha Ha! My thoughts exactly...

 

It could be true, if think about WRC dream for BMW, the car would be a direct competitor for the Peugeots and Citroens.
Mini was a rally champion, and as the big guys in BMW tald the media when they were ask about the possibility to get into the WRC they remark that the new Mini was the pure scense of the predecesor.... MMMMM that is they might love to get into it?
If they make the car for the streets with 220.. is because they got it figured out to be 290+ for the WRC...
Lets keep dreaming this became true and for my I would start saving some $$$ to keep my MCS as well.

 

Hey julian, nice driving today at the meadowlands!

Look familiar? (see sig?)

George

 

i heard someone talking about getting passed by a MINI RS on the expressway the other day... we were all scratching our heads... but this guy said the MINI RS blew by like nobody's business... and our witness was doing 80-90mph....

 

No that was me

 

>>>>And I told myself I would keep this MCS forever.

 

I'll try to suck more info out of my understandibly tight-lipped friend.

:evil: "Vee Haf Vaayyys to make vu talhk!!"

Who saw the Cooper RS on the road?! and how did you know that was it if one "blew by" you?

 

At the meet this weekend in O-town...the MINI RS was the buzz... It will be interesting to see if they do come out with this model. I'd want one :smile:

 

I've got goosebumps just thinking about it!!
My heart's all aflutter
Sign me up, I'm ready for my trade in!

It will be interesting, however, to see how they cram all of these goodies into such a small car without radically altering it's size/shape.

 

A MINI AWD was one of the variants discussed at the MINI/BMW focus group that I attended in October. Wagon and pick-up body styles were promoted, as well. The main message was to "keep the MINI a MINI."

 

Wow...and i thought i was getting shafted not being able to order mine ($$$).

i'll just wait for this thing to emerge!

They already have one with a M3 motor in the front and RWD. But that is for racing.

 

i think this car will really be the ultimate for all of us!
i was wondering about the bmw 1 series in 2005, but now screw that!