R?? Third Generation MINI Cooper: AWD Hybrid Spied

[Joey D]

A slightly interesting development in MINI's next generation. I'm hoping for an AWD normal Cooper too.

Spy Shots: All-wheel-drive Mini Cooper hybrid caught weathering the arctic

Once you've put an all-electric drivetrain into a Mini Cooper, is it that hard to hybridize one? Well, yes, especially since BMW's limited testing program was intended to give the company information about a plug-in architecture. But our spy photographers have discovered what's believed to be the first Mini Cooper prototype fitted with a hybrid drivetrain.

The body certainly looks the same, but – as you can see in our high-resolution gallery – BMW has affixed a sticker in the window that clearly says "hybrid test vehicle." We don't know many details about the powertrain sitting under the bright red paint, but sources indicate that this is a through-the-road hybrid, with the front wheels powered by a normal engine and the rear wheels motivated by an electric motor. Things like displacement, total horsepower and battery size are all as mysterious as they ever were, but rumor has it – no, really this time – that a hybridized Mini will be available when the next-generation arrives in 2013.

Spied: MINI with All Wheel Drive Hybrid System
Autoblog is sharing some spy shots of what at first glance appears to simply be a regular R56 driving around on the snow in Sweden. Looking closer, there’s a tell-tale sign that this is indeed a hybrid electric MINI prototype. It’s literally a yellow sign on the window that reads “HYBRID”. Autoblog is also reporting that the system being tested is actually an AWD system where the front wheels are driven normally using stock drivetrain and electric motors drive the rear wheels for power assist. This approach is not dissimilar to the BMW Efficient Dynamics hybrid system seen in the photo above. If this is the case, it holds some key engineering advantages.

Firstly, it allows the system to complement any existing power plant in the MINI range without modifying the engines. The hybrid system would in essence just be a retrofit. Beyond that, added traction possibilities from AWD are intriguing, as it could mean an electric version of All4 for the smaller cars in the MINI lineup. Lastly, with the main wheels driving the car through conventional power train, the rear wheel motors should be able to easily feature regenerative braking or even use in-motion charging to top off the car’s batteries. No word yet on specs or plug-in functionality, but seeing this system on the hatch (rather than just the Countryman) is certainly interesting. Chances are we won’t see this system until the 2013 hatch refresh. Then again, that’s not really that far away. Have a look at the whole set of underwhelming photos over at Autoblog.

 

[Tornado]

As niky said in some topic forever ago, if you are going to make a hybrid making it AWD is about the best way you can do it.

 

[Dan_]

Looks promising, let's see how the electric motor and battery pack affects the overall weight and performance figures. Not to mention that it would increase the price range quite a bit, but still, a logical approach would be offering the hybrid system only in the top tier models.

 

[YSSMAN]

I believe Nissan does something similar with the Micra over in Japan, so this is an interesting concept to spring from. Although it is hard to believe that they're already working on a Cooper replacement, I'd say its a welcome change. MINI, in my opinion, needs to clean up their lineup a bit. Particularly with BMW's i-line of vehicles coming down the pipe.

Actually, scratch that. Just come up with a more affordable Cooper. That's all I want.

 

[Azuremen]

What I want to see is the Mini Coupe already. I remember them tossing concepts around for it ages ago and it looked fantastic.

Can we have?

 

[Joey D]

MINI Coupe will be out next model year apparently. The pre production ones are running around Germany right now.

 

[E28]

The Hybrid and 4wd drive MINI looks interesting, and I can see them selling (eco people probaly want a hybrid funkier than a prius) My Mum currently has a 58 plate (UK reg) Cooper S and a 4wd version would be good since the UK is getting more and more snow and I live in a Village where the only roads in are lanes barely able to fit 2 cars side by side and are rarely gritted.

I'm glad that 'Core' concept was only some weird idea from an art student. It looked to me as if it was attempting some demented grin...