Minis

MINI 2

Launched in 2001, the new MINI version (often called MINIS 2) is designed by BMW Group.

It is built in the same factory of Cowley to Oxford (the United Kingdom), that which manufactured the first Minis Morris. The engine 1,6 L of the versions gasoline is produced by Daimler Chrysler with the Brésil.

The style selected is astutely evocative profile of original (Minis 1) although new dimensions were strongly increased: more 60 cm in length, plus 27 cm in width. The engine output strongly increased, but the weight followed also the same slope to him and clearly exceeds the ton (either close to the double of the original version).

It is available in four versions: MINIS One, MINI One D (with a diesel engine Toyota), Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S (laying out of a Compressing )

A convertible model, “Cabrio”, appeared in 2004. There exist also extra versions “broad” (with the manner of the car of the wolf of Tex Avery).

The automatic box, of type CVT with six factitious speeds, is available on the three motorizations gasoline, resulting from the same block of 1,6 L: One, of a power of 90 ch, Cooper, of 115 ch and Cooper S, 170 ch (initially 163 ch). The diesel version, One D, only equipped with a manual box, delivers initially 75 ch, then 88 ch.

Minis has variation very sporting, Cooper S John Cooper Works (preparer whose modifications are guaranteed by BMW and its network), always resting with the small engine 1,6L with pushed compressor with 210 ch. Elle can have interior and external personalizations very specific. Its hardened suspensions are often qualified “ends of wood”, it are gauged for the track more than for the road.

In October 2005, three luxurious limited series were launched: MINIS Seven (MINI One), MINI Park Lane (Mini Cooper) and MINI Checkmate (Mini Cooper S).

The phenomenal success of MINIS 2 was studied by all the world automobile famous brands. On the basis of a production become confidential (Minis 1 were in perdition with the turning of the millenium), BMW Group succeeded in selling more than 800.000 specimens in MINI version 2. Is this thanks to its quality of completion (better than that of its main competitors), with its dynamic qualities (wheels digging with the 4 corners, the “kart effect” in turn) or with its very provided list of options? The positive image released by this small vehicle allows, seems it, with the customers to pass in addition to his small trunk, its marginal presentation, its exclusive price, its relative lack of comfort and its not very reasonable consumption.

In addition, BMW Group having quickly designed MINIS 2 (to maintain the production of the English factory and to avoid making sink Mini with the Rover mark), of many points of design had been initially neglected.

MINI 3

A new MINI version (known as MINIS 3) was finally launched at the end of 2006. The first versions available were Mini Cooper S (175 ch) and Mini Cooper (120 ch). Follow, at the beginning of 2007, the One MINIS (95 ch) and Mini Cooper D (110 ch). Only the experts can distinguish MINIS 2 from the MINIS 3d' a glance. However, BMW Group did not make in the reutilisability, only the roof and the windshield would be identical with MINIS 2. The air intake on the cap of Cooper S is maintained (it appeared on the MINIS 2 Cooper S) but it does nothing but degrade aérodynamisme because it is blocked in the currently marketed versions!

The interior is an evolution of that of MINIS 2. The tachometer posed in the center of the instrument panel became gigantic (to undoubtedly be able to place option GPS which has a more important screen now). If the quality of materials used seems in rise compared to the previous model, ergonomics remains still special. The back places offer a space limited for the legs (except if the front seat is very advanced), it is not a surprise, but the height between the base and the roof of the car is good (the large ones do not knock the head). In short, the MINIS are still not a “car with living” to take again the slogan Renault, it is caught as it is, with its originalities (like the chrome switches type “aviation” for example), its style seeing, its gaps of equipment (not of pressure gauge to supervise the overpressure of turbo in Cooper S inter alia, even in option). To note, an option of environment of interior lighting being able to pass in various colors according to mood! The famous list of the options (unbeatable in its category of vehicle) comprises the many ones which would be worse taste in another car (chromium excess for example), but in MINIS…

The direction of MINIS 3 is entirely electric (solution coming from equipment supplier JTEKT). The engine of assistance does not call upon a hydraulic assistance (more cumbersome, heavier and requiring the monitoring of the quality of the fluid). This management is controlled by the speed of the vehicle measured at exit of gear box. This assistance is discrete as soon as the car runs, which avoids the impression of soft direction particularly unsuited on the sporting vehicles, of certain strategies activating itself under certain conditions (speed flying, acceleration…) allow one felt flying near to that of a direction without assistance. To note, the steering column is adjustable in height and in-depth (to be seen whether it will be also the case of the One versions) what is not always the case in the small vehicles of city.

The accelerator is “electric”. Its sensitivity seems correctly regulated by defect.

The driving gasoline of Cooper and Cooper S, as for them, were completely re-examined (only the cubic capacity does not change). They are now the fruit of a work united between BMW Group (development and engineering) and PSA (production). These engines are equipped with a casing sole and a powerful oil pump (with variable flow according to the pressure) generally installed in the sporting engines of high-end. In the same way the water pump, with its disengaging gear, shows the will of BMW to equip small the Minis with a powerful “subsidiary shell”. The result is very convincing, the couple is particularly high in the version Cooper S what makes it possible to carry out accelerations worthy of vehicles of higher categories (one often compares it with the Golf GTi or Clio RS for example). The noise remains neat even if some regret already the whistle of drilling machine of the compressor of the MINIS 2 Cooper S (example of sound of Mini3 Cooper S).

The sporting version (Cooper S) rests now on a Turbocompresseur (in the place of the compressor of the MINIS 2 Cooper S) with a function of overboost, the couple passes quickly from 240 Nm to 260 Nm while pressing brutally to bottom on the accelerator and allows better accelerations (by overpressure of the tubocompressor). The engine is dimensioned for this brutality, for example, the Soupape S are filled with sodium (technical frequent in the turbocompressés engines). It is possible to select, in option, a Différentiel with limited slip (damaged to 25%, controlled by the couple, the variation of couple between the two half front shafts cannot exceed 75%), it can solve certain problems of motricity in particular at exit of turn, but attention with the blow of wheel necessary to catch up with its effect! The injection is direct and high pressure. This version can be conceived with a frame sport (hardening of the suspensions) and has an option (déconnectable) to make the direction firmer and the more sensitive accelerator. Cooper S gets true feelings of sporting control, in particular, it has very good aptitudes to pass the turns (the “kart effect” of Mini2 is well preserved). To note that the gear box (realized by Getrag) is very well staged, the performances in acceleration are good while preserving one 6th sufficiently long report/ratio to preserve a bearable driving mode for the long ways on highway (to 130 km/h). The recoveries are better than with Mini2 Cooper S, the turbo one and the direct injection high pressure make their effect. However, some reproach this turbo engine “more anything for having” after 5500 tr/min. But the future muscular version of John Cooper Works (the preparer “house”) could change that well, indeed, the solution exists: BMW Group manufactures already turbo engines with higher mode max (for series 3 in particular). Only the brakes remain a notch in lower part. They miss endurance in very muscular control. But it seems that John Cooper Works (once again) has an option improving this point.

The Cooper version lays out of an atmospheric engine 16 valves sophisticated, in particular, the traditional gas butterfly was replaced by a pointed technology of admission known as Valvetronic at BMW, the camshafts of admission and exhaust are both with variable chock and the injection is multipoint. However, this version misses “nerves” with low mode. It should really be pushed in the turns so that it shows its nervousness.

The One Minis are satisfied with small a 1,4 L at power contained, only 95 ch. La diesel version, the Minis One D passes from 88 ch, on Mini2, with 110 ch. It is a diesel engine Peugeot of 1,6 L in version HDI.

The good surprise is that this small car, rather rather greedy while carburizing in its MINI version 2, becomes rather a “good pupil” (approximately 20% of fall of consumption for Cooper and Cooper S). BMW leaves the batch, indeed, the regular rise of consumption to each change of model is a very large weak point of competition (the weight of their models diverges). It should be noted that the not suspended masses (very important for the handling) are lighter than front, in particular thanks to the use partial of aluminum parts.

Mini Cooper D develops 115 ch and is particularly sober in consumption, which enables him to have a rate emission of CO2 of only 104g/km (idem Toyota Prius Hybride!).

MINIS 3 remain a small car even if its dimensions slightly increased compared to MINIS 2. Comfort is rather a little better than that of Mini2 (it is not a reference of great comfort, moreover attention to the options which degrades comfort, large wheels of 17 inches, frame sport). The trunk remains, as for him, one of smallest of the category of the town ones: only 160 L, just 10 L moreover than a Smart Fortwo! All that contributes finally to the image shifted of this small town except standard.

; ¹ ASC+T: Automatic Stability Control + Traction, check automatic of stability and motricity, security system activates which seeks to reduce the effects of the losses of adherence, it is a system which is coupled with ABS.

; ² DSC: Dynamic Stability Control is ESP from BMW, where ESP means Elektronisches Stabilitätsprogramm in German, it is an active safety equipment intended to correct abrupt variations of trajectory of a motor vehicle, it can act on the injection and on braking, it works of coordination with the other active systems on braking.

; ³ ABS: Antiblockiersystem, in German, it is the security system active which avoids the blocking of the brakes, it is often coupled today with an electronic distributer of braking between the axles (EBD, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), an electronic controller of the pressure of braking in curve (CBC, Cornering Brake Control) and an assistance with emergency braking.

; ⁴ EPAS: Electric Power Assisted Steering, electric power-assisted steering.

Old Minis

The original Mini (1959-2000) is a small car revolutionary and full with character designed for British Motor Corporation (BMC) by Alec Issigonis (become Sir) (1906-1988) and manufactured with Birmingham (the United Kingdom).

It was sold under several marks Austin, Morris, MG, Wolseley, Riley and under Italian license Innocenti (group FIAT), before becoming a clean mark.

History

1959 : design very innovating for time (very compact transverse engine, very original suspensions, wheels of small size, etc) by Alec Issigonis for British Motor Corporation (BMC)

Between 1961 and 1969 there was also a named version of the Minis produced with a larger trunk either the Wolseley Hornet (taking again the name of a sport scar of the years 1930) and the Riley Elf . The Minis itself could be bought in several style of body - ordinary the two doors, a station-wagon with the back opening like doors of barn and a version with a wood outside similar to that of the Morris Minor.

the years 1960 was the glorious period with purchases put well in scene by high-speed motorboats, victories of Mini Cooper in rallys but it was not advantageous because of out-of-date manufacturing methods requiring many human resources (not robot).

1968 BMC, Standard-Triumph and Rover amalgamate and form the group British Leyland

In 1970, a redesign was carried out, the Clubman Minis.

the total production was of 5,3 million.

In 1994 pennies Bernd Pischetsrieder, BMW Group took the control of the successor of British Leyland the Groupe Rover. But, in 2000, Rover continued to make colossal losses. BMW Group decided to yield Rover and MG to Phoenix, a British new business and Land Rover with Ford ; BMW Group kept the MINI mark and sells a very new version now.

Technical data

Footing/length/width/height (cm): 203/305 to 317 (according to version)/141/134 to 136 (according to version)
Weight: 620 to 700 kg, according to the versions
Last engines available (1993-2000): 4 cyl., 1275 DC, 61 ch with 5700 tr/min or 63 ch (Cooper).
Transmission: manual box at 4 speeds or box car CVT (except Cooper)
Suspensions: shock absorber and cone rubber, amort. telescopic and cone rubber (for clubman estate, Morris traveler, Austin. countryman and mini moke) and hydroplastic (for minis clubman)
Brakes: discs ventilated with front, drums with the back
0 to 100 km/h: 11,5 seconds (Cooper)
max. Speed: 147 km/h (Cooper) and 160 km/h (cooper S)

the car uses a traditional engine four cylinders water-cooled but assembled transversely and sheltering in its casing the gear box. It is a front traction. Its tiny wheels of 10 inches of origin were replaced by 12 inches (or 13 in option). Placed at the four corners of the body, they allow a correct habitability for four people, even if space postpones appears a little right for two adults.

Rally of Monte Carlo

Six months after the appearance on stage of the Minis, BMC decides to register six cars of factory to very famous the Rallye of Monte Carlo. Best classified finishes in 23e place. In 1961, the assessment is pire : none of the three registered cars is presented on arrival.

Meanwhile, a certain John Cooper, creator of the Formula 1 with central engine, proposes “to inflate” the Minis. It makes carry the cubic capacity to 997 DC, raises compression, installs two carburettors and modifies the exhaust, making climb the power from 34 to 55 horses. It replaces the dead losses brakes drums by discs with front, getting for the small box of 620 kg serious assets.

In 1962, new attempt, with new promising pilots: Rauno Aaltonen and Timo Mäkinen. Aaltonen failed to leave there its skin during a hooding at the conclusion from which its Mini Cooper disappears in smoke. One year later, BMC registers four Mini Cooper and this time, the Minis controlled by Aaltonen gains the honors of the category and is classified third with general classification, follow-up of the Irishman Patrick (Paddy) Hopkirk, second of category and sixth with the general. The Minis had just made the demonstration of its potential.

Crowned “S”

Encouraged by these results, BMC is addressed again to Cooper: the cubic capacity passes at 1071 DC, the power with 70 horses and top speed to 160 km/h. It is Mini Cooper S.

January 17th, 1964, it is the departure of the Rally of Monte Carlo and as every year, the registered cars take the departure of various cities (Minsk, Glasgow, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Warsaw, Lisbon and Monaco) to meet, 4 000 km further with Rheims. It is there that the true rally starts.

At the conclusion of the first stage of 597 km which connects Rheims to Saint-Claude and which counts several “special” (time trials on public roads closed with circulation), frightening the Ford Falcon in V8 of 4,7 liters Bo Ljungfeldt dominates by its power, followed small Mini Cooper S red to white roof controlled by Paddy Hopkirk, of imposing the Mercedes 300, robust the Volvo 544 and, in fifth place, of another Mini Cooper S, that of Timo Mäkinen.

The “special ones” continue and, to fallen the night, Falcon carries its advance at 65 seconds. Then, it is frightening the Col of Turini, perched with more 1 600 meters of altitude. Snow is interfered, giving to nimble Mini an undeniable advantage. The variation narrows then disappears with the profit from the Minis. “Large” Erik Carlsson is second at the wheel of its Saab, followed Minis of Mäkinen, right in front of Falcon.

Arrive the last stage of Assembles-Carlo : the final race on the circuit of the Grand Prix, in the streets of Monaco. Powerful Falcon de Ljungfeldt gives the maximum but nimble Mini counts sufficiently in advance at the points to gain the Rally of Monte Carlo. To supplement the triumph of the Minis, Mäkinen is fourth and Rauno Aaltonen, seventh. The “three musketeers” insert the Minis in the history of the automobile sport.

Dedication

In 1965, it is with the turn of Timo Mäkinen and its copilot Paul Easter, on board Cooper S raising the new engine of 1 275 DC and 90 horses, to register their name with the prize list of “Monti”, a particularly difficult edition at the conclusion which, on the 237 teams having taken the departure, hardly 35 cars are presented on arrival.

In 1966, it is the Mini triplet;! Mäkinen, Aaltonen and Hopkirk triumph, but are disqualified after the arrival because of an obscure question of headlights nonin conformity with the payment, just like the classified Lotus Cortina fourth, allocating the victory “official”, but very disputed, with Citroen.

One year later, the Minis treat to a masterly revenge. Rauno Aaltonen, the “Finn flying” carries it, the five other Minis registered also finishing the race.

Three victories, and almost a fourth, in four years. The domination is total, as well on the ground beaten as on the sinuous roads of winter and the circuits where the memory of the small British chips treating to the head of large V8 American remains still alive among followers.

Public

The historical model (Mini1) allured in majority a women and more particularly of the town ones. Popularized at the 20th century by various films, the Minis are become again today a vehicle with the mode. According to the countries, the Minis are rather a vehicle for man or woman. France is a country very clearly positioned: the Minis are " a car for fille". It is exactly the reverse in the USA where this vehicle is regarded as rather demanding and ellitist to lead… " a true car of mec".

See too

External bonds

official site the U.K. Mini BMW (the U.K.)
French-speaking Club of New the Minis
Technical documentations on new the Minis

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