F55/F56 Launch of the 2014 Mini Cooper (F56)
#177
I found a thread about the F56 on a Russian forum: http://translate.google.com/translat...Fpage__st__360
That has an interesting comparison of the dimensions of the R56 and F56:
It looks like there's more information in one of the posts, but you need a login to get to it.
That has an interesting comparison of the dimensions of the R56 and F56:
It looks like there's more information in one of the posts, but you need a login to get to it.
#178
http://www.motortrendautoshows.com/sanjose/
#179
New Mini
There are some interesting options......
I think three settings for driving comfort. Rear collision detector, helps you park too. I Drive.
I would have to drive it too see what I think. But it is change no question.
Will be interested to see what they do to the convertibles and R58 two seater.
I think three settings for driving comfort. Rear collision detector, helps you park too. I Drive.
I would have to drive it too see what I think. But it is change no question.
Will be interested to see what they do to the convertibles and R58 two seater.
#180
Good catch.
There is a LOT of confusion new engines' naming conventions out there.
The only thing for sure is that all engines will conform to BMW's 0.5L/cylinder philosophy.
B37 is the 3-cylinder 1.5L diesel engine that is rumored to be coming to the us for MINI and BMW 1-series.
B38 is the gasoline powered derivative of B37, and is the new 3-cylinder 1.5L turbo that will go in F56 Justa's. The best I can gather, F56 Justa will be the guinea pig for this engine's mass production.
F56 MCS will get a derivative of 2.0L turbo N20, but there are important differences between B48 (frequently also referred to as B38?) and N20. B48 will have vertically positioned injectors (similar to N54 engine) on top of combustion chamber, and should be lighter and more fuel efficient than N20 !!!
Though MINIs and 1-series will share the same transversely mounted engines, MINIs are due to only get 6-speed gearboxes vs. 8-speeds for 1-series.
http://www.autoevolution.com/bmw-blo...els-67891.html
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/b...-drive-review/
http://blog.caranddriver.com/first-l...engine-family/
a
There is a LOT of confusion new engines' naming conventions out there.
The only thing for sure is that all engines will conform to BMW's 0.5L/cylinder philosophy.
B37 is the 3-cylinder 1.5L diesel engine that is rumored to be coming to the us for MINI and BMW 1-series.
B38 is the gasoline powered derivative of B37, and is the new 3-cylinder 1.5L turbo that will go in F56 Justa's. The best I can gather, F56 Justa will be the guinea pig for this engine's mass production.
F56 MCS will get a derivative of 2.0L turbo N20, but there are important differences between B48 (frequently also referred to as B38?) and N20. B48 will have vertically positioned injectors (similar to N54 engine) on top of combustion chamber, and should be lighter and more fuel efficient than N20 !!!
Though MINIs and 1-series will share the same transversely mounted engines, MINIs are due to only get 6-speed gearboxes vs. 8-speeds for 1-series.
http://www.autoevolution.com/bmw-blo...els-67891.html
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/b...-drive-review/
http://blog.caranddriver.com/first-l...engine-family/
a
http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/10/...matic-in-2015/
#182
The new MINI Cooper S will not have a variant of the N20. It is a totally new engine derived from the N54 / N55. these have been very solid engines for BMW - other than the HPFP issue on early N54 models (not engine related)
#183
From what I've read from various insider sources, the B48 and N20 both are developed from the N55. They follow the .5L/cylinder displacement, and have similar head designs. The B48 is supposed to be an evolution of the N20.
#184
You do realize the new transmission will be upgraded by 100x with 8 speeds? Which means, MINI is going to try and compete with the DSG that VW uses(VW still wins in that department). I would love a manual but they'll eventually be extinct in the U.S.
#185
I couldn't EVER OWN an automatic MINI. I can't even imagine owning an automatic 7-series lol. Manuals FTW
#186
I'm right there with you. Even if the automatics and DSG's are faster, I still think the 3 pedal is the only way to own any car. Why do I want to pay $1250 bucks more for something that takes away from the overall driving experience?
#187
I honestly could care less about if my car is an automatic or manual. They both have their own advantages depending on the car. I don't know why so many people hate on MINIs automatics, I've seen worse automatics perform when owning two Chryslers and a Ford. But each to their own.
#188
I honestly could care less about if my car is an automatic or manual. They both have their own advantages depending on the car. I don't know why so many people hate on MINIs automatics, I've seen worse automatics perform when owning two Chryslers and a Ford. But each to their own.
#189
I don't just hate MINI Automatics, I hate ALL automatics. The only advantage of an automatic is that some of the new ones can shift slightly faster than manuals; the catch is that sometimes they choose to shift on their own, get stumbled when asked to down or up shift multiple gears at once. You also usually have to pay extra for them too. It takes away the pure connection with the car, and I love being in control of as many aspects of driving as I can be. On a side note, I heard the new "GPS" shifting is a huge dud. Read about how it can't predict elevation changes, etc...on a C&D review of the RR Wraith.
#190
I sat in the new orange/black F56S making the auto show circuit at the San Diego auto show. They didn't have the non-S.
I think it will be fine.
I recall when I ordered my R56 back in early 2007 there were lots of negative forum comments about that new body style and engine.
The sky didn't fall. Life continued. The R56 series was accepted by the MINI community. So it will be with the F56.
I will seriously look into getting one in about a year and half or so. Probably a non-S version similar to what what I have now.
If anybody happens to see the non-S F56 making the auto show circuit maybe you could fill in a couple things I haven't found in my research:
1. I was very pleasantly surprised that when I got my 2007 R56 that the US Spec version came with a larger 13.8 gal fuel tank instead of the 10 gal tank (European spec) that was being advertised. I'd be interested in knowing the US spec tank size on the non-S F56.
2. Does the the non-S F56 has a spare tire?
I think it will be fine.
I recall when I ordered my R56 back in early 2007 there were lots of negative forum comments about that new body style and engine.
The sky didn't fall. Life continued. The R56 series was accepted by the MINI community. So it will be with the F56.
I will seriously look into getting one in about a year and half or so. Probably a non-S version similar to what what I have now.
If anybody happens to see the non-S F56 making the auto show circuit maybe you could fill in a couple things I haven't found in my research:
1. I was very pleasantly surprised that when I got my 2007 R56 that the US Spec version came with a larger 13.8 gal fuel tank instead of the 10 gal tank (European spec) that was being advertised. I'd be interested in knowing the US spec tank size on the non-S F56.
2. Does the the non-S F56 has a spare tire?
#191
I don't just hate MINI Automatics, I hate ALL automatics. The only advantage of an automatic is that some of the new ones can shift slightly faster than manuals; the catch is that sometimes they choose to shift on their own, get stumbled when asked to down or up shift multiple gears at once. You also usually have to pay extra for them too. It takes away the pure connection with the car, and I love being in control of as many aspects of driving as I can be. On a side note, I heard the new "GPS" shifting is a huge dud. Read about how it can't predict elevation changes, etc...on a C&D review of the RR Wraith.
Once the Ferrari California is phased out, there will no longer be a Ferrari with a manual transmission. Also, the Porsche GT3 has seen the option of a manual being removed from it's option list.
Reason: Automatic transmission offers better performance (faster 0-60), provides improved fuel efficiency and better emmissions.
I know that the end of the manual transmission is coming, but we all need to have an open mind and adapt to the changes. Read reviews on the GT3 or Ferrari 458, there is very few comments made about the lack of driver feel and involvement with the lack of physical gear changes.
#192
Everyone can have their own opinion on whether an automatic is better than a manual transmission. BUT, you cannot argue with the truth of the sports car industry - specifically Porsche and Ferrari. These are 2 brands which are moving away from a manual transmission and investing heavily in their DCT versions. Once the Ferrari California is phased out, there will no longer be a Ferrari with a manual transmission. Also, the Porsche GT3 has seen the option of a manual being removed from it's option list. Reason: Automatic transmission offers better performance (faster 0-60), provides improved fuel efficiency and better emmissions. I know that the end of the manual transmission is coming, but we all need to have an open mind and adapt to the changes. Read reviews on the GT3 or Ferrari 458, there is very few comments made about the lack of driver feel and involvement with the lack of physical gear changes.
#193
You also have to realize that the average Ferrari and Porsche owner is pushing the later end of life. 99% of owners never use their car for anything more than going to get their groceries, riding around their mail-order brides to the country club, and taking their car to weekend exotic car shows to impress the locals. You hardly ever see anyone really pushing these kinds of cars. They are built for the 60-75 age bracket that could care less about having a true connection to their car, and just care about having a Ferrari sitting in their garage.
#194
That is true for the North American population. The Porsche and Ferrari ownership is very much a car for taking to the country club....but when you see the car bought in Europe, they are taken to the track regularly and are driven in a spirited manner.
Maybe that is why we will never see a car like the Noble or Caterham in North America
Maybe that is why we will never see a car like the Noble or Caterham in North America
#195
That is true for the North American population. The Porsche and Ferrari ownership is very much a car for taking to the country club....but when you see the car bought in Europe, they are taken to the track regularly and are driven in a spirited manner.
Maybe that is why we will never see a car like the Noble or Caterham in North America
Maybe that is why we will never see a car like the Noble or Caterham in North America
Just published yesterday
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/ca...united-states/
#196
That is true for the North American population. The Porsche and Ferrari ownership is very much a car for taking to the country club....but when you see the car bought in Europe, they are taken to the track regularly and are driven in a spirited manner. Maybe that is why we will never see a car like the Noble or Caterham in North America
#197
...
I know that the end of the manual transmission is coming, but we all need to have an open mind and adapt to the changes. Read reviews on the GT3 or Ferrari 458, there is very few comments made about the lack of driver feel and involvement with the lack of physical gear changes.
I know that the end of the manual transmission is coming, but we all need to have an open mind and adapt to the changes. Read reviews on the GT3 or Ferrari 458, there is very few comments made about the lack of driver feel and involvement with the lack of physical gear changes.
I wonder how often the paddle shifters get used, even in the Ferraris and Porsches. My bet is not very often.
#198
No matter what the reviewers say i just can't agree with this. They can rationalize it however they want, try to convince us by using much revered supercars as their examples, still driving a manual transmission is a totally different experience from driving an automatic, including paddle shifters. I wonder how often the paddle shifters get used, even in the Ferraris and Porsches. My bet is not very often.
EXACTLY!! 98.9% of buyers of those super cars probably don't even know what paddle shifters are, even when included on their cars. A couple of my friends in Beverly Hills had ridiculous cars like 599X and MP4-12C's but they just got the cars to say they had one. We had more fun in MINI's on Mulholland than in their super cars.
#199
I've been fortunate enough to drive a 911, 458, R8 and Gallardo with automatic-manual trannies on the track. After being a manual guy for many years I can tell you that the new auto-manuals are far better than any manual. On the track the tranny was always in the gear I wanted and shifted far faster than any human is capable of. Saying you will never drive an auto of any sort is kind of like those people that said they would never own a cell phone, or a computer, or an iPad, or an iPod, etc..... Technology moves forward. Not sure how a stick in your hand makes you more connected to the car....it's simply a gear selector.
#200
I've been fortunate enough to drive a 911, 458, R8 and Gallardo with automatic-manual trannies on the track. After being a manual guy for many years I can tell you that the new auto-manuals are far better than any manual. On the track the tranny was always in the gear I wanted and shifted far faster than any human is capable of. Saying you will never drive an auto of any sort is kind of like those people that said they would never own a cell phone, or a computer, or an iPad, or an iPod, etc..... Technology moves forward. Not sure how a stick in your hand makes you more connected to the car....it's simply a gear selector.