Autoblog

Vintage Mini gets 3,500-horsepower engine swap for Goodwood

Noah Joseph — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Mini, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Diesel

Mini diesel by Cummins - Click above to enlarge

Cummins: the largest independent diesel engine manufacturer. The QSK78: the largest engine they make. Mini: one of the smallest cars on the road. Oh dear, this could get messy.

The unfathomably large QSK78 was recently unveiled with 78 liters of displacement, eighteen cylinders (that's 4.3 liters per cylinder!), a dozen turbochargers, 3,500 horsepower and over 10,000 lb-ft of torque. It's used to power those enormous dump trucks seen schlepping heavy loads (try 360 metric tons on for size) around quarries and mines. And now it's been installed in a vintage Austin Mini.

The Frankenstein-ain't-got-nothin'-on-me monstrosity was, according to Cummins, commissioned by a customer, but we can hardly image it being actually drivable, let alone certified for street use anywhere this side of the Persian Gulf. It'll be unveiled this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it's sure to be the most powerful - not to mention the strangest - vehicle on display. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Cummins]

Continue reading Vintage Mini gets 3,500-horsepower engine swap for Goodwood

Vintage Mini gets 3,500-horsepower engine swap for Goodwood originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: No R56-based Mini diesels are bound for U.S.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Mini, Diesel

2008 Mini Cooper D - Click above for high-res image gallery

To repeat one particular bit of news that's been playing over and over like a broken record since the modern Mini first made its appearance Stateside back in 2001 - there's little if any chance that the U.S. market will be blessed with an oil-burning Mini Cooper any time soon.

While Mini USA reportedly wants nothing more than to import the Mini D to America, the financial realities are such that the car will either cost way more than anyone is willing to pay (a ridiculous 40-50% premium is being bandied about) or sell at such a low price that Mini's German parents won't make a dime on the transaction.

That said, according to the Mini-obsessed boys at MotoringFile, it remains a possibility - however much a long-shot as it seems after all these years - that the next-generation R60 Mini could some day hit U.S. shores with an optional diesel. That would be welcome news indeed, but please excuse us for taking that tidbit with an appropriately large grain of salt.

Gallery: ABG Garage: 2008 MINI Cooper D

[Source: MotoringFile]

REPORT: No R56-based Mini diesels are bound for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MINI pondering BMW-engined diesel models, including JCW?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Hatchback, BMW, Mini

Two weeks ago, Auto Express reported that MINI would be creating a John Cooper Works edition diesel with more than 160 horsepower and improved torque. Now, fellow UK publication Autocar looks to have the details, which includes speculation that the extra oomph will come from BMW engines now used in the 1 Series cars - and they might not just be for JCW models.

According to the report, the white coats at BMW inserted a detuned 2.0-liter diesel that is longitudinally mounted in the 120d into the transverse engine bay of the MINI. The result was a MINI diesel with 40 hp more than the Cooper D, which currently uses an engine that BMW developed with PSA Peugeot/Citroen.

Autocar also reports that the twin turbo lump from the 123d can be fitted to the MINI, which could be used to create a diesel JCW. If they don't detune the engine, that would mean a 7 hp drop versus the gas-engined version, but 105 more lb-ft. of twist and better than 40 mpg when the drivetrain isn't being stomped on. Autocar says that BMW has begun testing the new diesels with an eye on retail sales in 12 months.

[Source: Autocar | Photo credit: themullett]

MINI pondering BMW-engined diesel models, including JCW? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2008: MINI to offer diesel option in the US?

John Neff — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Green, Hatchback, Mini

click above for more high-res images of the 2008 MINI Cooper D Clubman

The car you see above is the MINI Cooper D Clubman. That's "D" as in "Diesel". The diminutive brand owned by BMW offers a diesel engine in Europe, but to date has not in the U.S. We believe that MINI may correct this at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week. Our guess is based on a press release issued by MINI today that, while saying very little about its plan for the Detroit show other than the Clubman and Clubman S would be present, included images of a left-hand-drive Cooper D Clubman. The press release also mentions that a talking point at MINI's press conference will be "More Driving Pleasure, Less Fuel Consumption: The new MINI in the 2008 Model Year". Couple that with parent company BMW's announcement of two new models for the U.S. market that will be powered by diesel engines, the X5 xDrive35d and the 335d, and it begins to look like MINI will follow suit with a diesel of its own. Of course, MINI has not confirmed this so it's pure speculation on our part, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a Cooper Clubman D burning oil in Detroit next week.

[Source: MINI]

Gallery: 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman D

Gallery: 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman

Continue reading Detroit 2008: MINI to offer diesel option in the US?

Detroit 2008: MINI to offer diesel option in the US? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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