Does anyone know if Mini will have an AWD version in the near future?

 

Rumor has it that the MINI SAV will be all wheel drive...

 

There was an R53 MCS with a Getrag AWD setup that was tested a while back.....motoringfile has info on it some where.

 

Seems the Clubman-based SAV is all that's slated for 4WD, but who knows where it will wind up once that happens. Could be interesting.

 

An AWD R56 would be the preferable as the clubman's wheel base is too long for its low ground clearence. Also notice in other country's a diesel option--which I know wouldn't be all state compliable, but they should at least offer it for some here in the US. I'm sure with its torque it can out perform an R56.

 

True, but in the past the D engines on MINIs tended to run out of steam past a certain point. Not sure about the current Cooper D. I'm fine with that keeping in mind that most MINIs aren't race cars, nor should they be, really. The SAV is still the only MINI I'm aware of officially slated for 4WD, again for more practical reasons it seems, but I'd not be surprised if that changed at some point inn a factory release like the GP...who knows?

 

Here is the picture of the awd mini prety coollll..

 

I'd buy it if it were avail now. I'm sure its much cheaper than an X3, and more performance oriented.

 

There was a rumor foating about that MINIs were too short to compete in the WRC. And they had to be 4WD to be competitive. Funny that....are you thinking what I'm thinking????

 

Word from a product manager at Mini of Omaha is that a version of x-Drive will eventually make it through the entire model line (probably 2-3 years). I don't know if he meant to include the convertible, but I know I'd be interested in a Cooper S w/ BMW's x-Drive! Think about it, all that fun, no torque steer, and all-weather capability?!? Freakin' Sweet!

 

I recently saw a story of this on a discovery type channel show. The show was on Sweden and talked about the klonizzendjggerrefvcexxsebvmnnberg super car, absolut vodka, ore mining, and the secret test track where they were testing the AWD MINI. They were testing R53s. The conversion was done by an outside party and they were trying to sell the idea off to BMW.

 

Not likely.

The real shame is the the only AWD MINI will probably be the truck-like SAV, so AWD for the purpose of performance will be irrelevant.

If they came out an S with a well-implemented AWD and acceptable power, I would be first in line.

 

Supercar: Koenigsegg, so you weren't far off.

Modified R53: Getrag. From the little that was written about it, the R53 lent itself well to the conversion. I guess BMW did not bite.

 

I knew I was close on the Koenigsegg, but can't seem to get the spelling right. So Getrag was the party who came up with the AWD. I thought it was pretty cool. They had to modify the exhaust some to fit the prop shaft, and the rest looked pretty much bolt on.... not too intrusive to the original design. I guess its really a marketing thing.... same reasons for not giving us the Cooper D...

 

The WRX STI is not an SAV, has excellent winter traction, and can probably leave the Mini S in the dust. Yes it could be for foul weather traction, but also performance when cornering.

Personally, I think an AWD configuation in the R56 with the JCW package would be one of the most powerful cars in its weight class as an AWD.

 

there is an article on the net. i will try and find it. The min sav is a go and will be built in an austrian plant.

 

There is plenty of STI love on this site. And it has excellent dry pavement performance despite being extremely heavy for its size. Still, my preference would be an AWD MINI. It would be smaller and, though probably 300 lbs more than the R56, still >=400 lbs less than the STI. Also, the MINI's wheels are on its corners where they belong--better layout.

 

If it manages to go 35 mpg highway AND if it is below $25K, I might trade in my R56.

 

That will never happen.

 

I have been in the AWD R53. The President of Getrag in Hickory, NC showed the car to me when I had lunch with him a few years ago. Absolutley no intrusion on the interior compartment and minimal modifications were made. I beleive the term "cat on velcro" pretty much describes it's handling characteristics! Getrag has developed and supplies a number of AWD systems currently seen on the market today.

 

I've heard nothing but good things about the conversion. I wish they had contracted with a shop to offer this in the AM.

 

Indeed. I wonder how much Getrag's AWD conversion would cost if offered in a kit?

 

Come on guys, lets not let this one die... otherwise it definitely has no chance at reality! I know I'd be in the market for one in a few years (shoch is about the earliest we'd see them, if ever).

 

I wish it were not the case, but BMW's marketroids do not care what we think. Users on enthusiast sites account for an infinitesimal percentage of the market for cars.

Too bad. The two really big failings I see in my '04 MCS are a) negligible stock power and b) FWD-only. I would consider a new version of the MCS available with a 300hp turbo and a really good AWD implementation (not X-drive) to be the ultimate daily driver for me. I would get over the additional <=300 lbs it should take to make that a reality. And that would flat out prevent me from even considering buying a revolting, big, heavy semi-crossover pig like the STI. (I don't want an STI; I want what it has--power, great AWD, and excellent handling.)

Ironically, the MINI SAV abomination is probably not going to be that much heavier than an STI. But it is definitely much more truck-like as a crossover vehicle and will not have the STI's handling or performance. BMW just wants a MINI branded SUV--more of the same McMarketing we see everywhere in the automotive industry.

 

A mini with AWD and 300hp sounds like heaven