Minis

[SNH]

What the view on the new Mini then?
I quite like the look of it, but what's the engine in it?
(please no political shyte comments)

[Peter Mallett]

Well, I think that BMW should provide a new mini for every person in the world so that we could all get to our 100 hour/week jobs in exploitative factories.

OTOH I haven't seen a pic yet.

[SNH]

but what engine is in it?

[Sparky]

Right. This is a personal hobby-horse of mine...
But then you knew it would be me or Graham jumping up and down, didn't you!

Tomorrow (Oct 4) is black arm-band day. The LAST ever real Mini rolls off the Longbridge, Birmingham assembly lines.

To be replaced with this...



As I understand it, the original 3 cylinder engine has been kept for the lowest models, in favour of 1400 and 1600 Chrysler units for the Cooper.

And there's talk of a 180 bhp supercharged version; A new Mini Miglia Challenge?

I just don't know what to make of the styling.

Should Mini have continued for ever as it was, suitably updated, or pensioned off?
Or completely redesigned, as has happened?

This is the problem.

I draw a parallel between original Mini and the 1st Playstation. The original was such a leap forward in technology and style, that when the replacement comes along, the punters are disappointed with the 'leap' forward.

Mini was a revolution when it first appeared in 1959; 10 inch wheels, unitary (monocoque) construction, fully independant suspension, maximum interior space for minimum interior dimensions because of the clever use of a combined engine/gearbox assembly, The amount of storage space within the car was unheard of for the day...

Unfortunately, it seems the new car is nothing but another so-called 'SuperMini'. Not a revolution, more an evolution

Are there any motoring revolutions left to discover?