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MINI Cooper - READ ONLY
2671 messages, Last post on Mar 31, 2009 at 2:03 PM
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What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, Hatchback
#412 of 2671 details on mini CVT technology? by steelypip
Mar 30, 2002 (4:23 pm)
Does anyone have detailed knowledge of how the CVT was implemented for the Mini?
I'm particularly curious to know whether it's the same as the tech now being used by Audi in the A4 and A6, which reportedly is spectacularly good - rickrover mentioned his Audi test drive experience above, and it's easy to find test drive reports on the web which are similarly glowing.
Here's a link to a Popular Mechanics article in which a few scant details of the Audi CVT are mentioned: http://popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars_trucks/2001/12/new_cars_jan_2002/index4.phtml
The relevant excerpt is:
"
But the real story is the Multitronic continuously variable transmission. Unsatisfied with the van Doorne-licensed CVTs that have been used in some other cars, Audi has reinvented the CVT. Audi uses a pull-style belt made of hundreds of sheetmetal links, rather than the van Doorne pusher belt. Several innovative technologies in the transmission allow the use of lower hydraulic pressures, making for lower pumping losses and increased fuel economy. With a lower low gear and a higher high gear ratio, the Multitronic gives better acceleration (1.5 seconds quicker from 0 to 60) than a conventional automatic, and better highway economy as well. This gearless automatic of the future is lighter in weight, simpler in construction and smaller in volume than the geared automatic it displaces. Available with the V6 engine, the Multitronic delivers the acceleration time noted above and carries a fuel economy rating of 19 city/25 highway. Audi executives predict the Multitronic will be the transmission of choice as supplies increase."
So what's the "van Doorne licensed CVT" that Audi didn't like? Is the CVT in the Mini Cooper a van Doorne, or more advanced, like the Audi?
Has anyone testdrove both the Audi CVT and the Mini Cooper CVT? That would be the true litmus test: does the Mini CVT feel as smooth and perform as well as the Audi version?
#413 of 2671 more info on Audi CVT by steelypip
Mar 30, 2002 (4:38 pm)
A better link for info on the Audi CVT:http://www.roadandtrack.com/technical/articleDisplay.asp?articleID=22
#414 of 2671 not only that by speculative
Mar 30, 2002 (7:03 pm)
In a real CVT the car wont roll forward at idel, so audi had to modify there CVT to do that. In addition Audi made the car change engine rpm (both up and down) much more then optimal because people are used to hearing engine rpm change with the old auto's and manuals. Other then that the CVT in the audi is actually just as fast as the manuel. I hope they offer the cooper S with CVT. Its the only way I would buy the cooper. It would be a perfict city car for when I go back home to philadelphia.#415 of 2671 Test Drives by rmorin2
Mar 31, 2002 (2:04 pm)
Please keep the test drive reports coming. I am anxious to hear from as many different folks on their impressions of the MC's with all sort of tire and wheel combinations, with and without the sport suspension. My car might be here in about 60 days. Can't wait!#416 of 2671 Cooper Impressions by edwardsdd
Apr 01, 2002 (7:13 am)
I'm in the Air Force and stationed in Germany. I own a German spec silver with black roof MINI Cooper, that I've had since November. It is the base model with 15 inch tires. This car is an absolute blast to drive. It handles better than anything I've ever driven. I have driven the car at 200 kilometers/hour (about 120 miles/hour) on the autobahn with no problems. It sticks to the road like glue. It is truly amazing to drive.The interior is very nice and larger than you would think. I'm 6'2" tall and I have plenty of room. I wouldn't want to sit in the back though. The base sound system sounds good, haven't heard the harmon kardon system yet. If anyone has questions about the car please ask.
P.S. I only paid $14,500 for the car.
#417 of 2671 steelypip by someblondeguy
Apr 01, 2002 (7:40 am)
I heard that CVT rumour/fact(?) here:It was only for a Cooper, and not the 'S'.
#418 of 2671 RMorin- 16" Runflats by tetonman
Apr 01, 2002 (9:12 am)
Which I didn't think were all that bad in terms of the impact on the ride...#419 of 2671 someblondeguy by steelypip
Apr 01, 2002 (1:25 pm)
Damn! So there's actually no good evidence that CVT will ever be offered on the S?That's depressing.
Why the hell wouldn't they offer it? If the CVT is good (as good as the Audi implementation) then it will offer equivalent performance to the manual transmission, but also the incredibly attractive option of forgetting all about shifting in stop and go rush hour traffic. You get the best of both worlds.
I can only think of 2 reasons for not offering CVT on the S:
(1) The Mini CVT is not as good as the Audi (hence falls short of equalling manual transmission performance);
(2) BMW doesn't think the S with CVT would sell in significant numbers.
I'll be very interested to see detailed performance comparisons between the Cooper CVT and Cooper manual -- that should settle the issue in (1). But whether (2) is true, I have no idea. Personally I think the S with CVT would sell like hotcakes, unless Mini's CVT implementation falls way short of ideal.
#420 of 2671 speculative by steelypip
Apr 01, 2002 (1:29 pm)
Yes, I noticed that too -- Audi tweaking the behavior of their CVT to make it more like a conventional automatic.
(which I think is stupid, but hey, that's Audi's business) I'm in total agreement about an S with CVT being a perfect city car.
#421 of 2671 edwardsdd by steelypip
Apr 01, 2002 (1:33 pm)
edwardsdd -- do you find yourself wishing for more power than the base Cooper engine can provide?I understand there's not much difference in top speed... I'm more concerned with acceleration.
Good to hear about the spectacular handling, though.
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