MotoringFile Most liked posts in thread: MF Analysis: Saab’s Future with MINI Engines

Hmmmm......
So.... If I remember correctly (not always the case), a short time ago Peugeot wanted to extend their agreement with BMW on small engine development. BMW decided not to, and proceeded to announce their own 3 cylinder and 4 cylinder development (with exciting HP figures). The N-14 was a joint PSA / BMW development. So along comes Saab and makes an agreement to buy the Prince engine FROM BMW. I wonder where that leaves Peugeot? It all fits like a puzzle except the PSA piece. Must be in the very fine print on the back of the legal agreement???

Anyway I'm glad the Prince engine has some life in it now that some of the bugs are being resolved.

 

I don't agree with the competition part of the analysis

look at the Pugeot cars that use the Prince engine line. They are small sporty cars. How much of the brand identity of MINI is in the exact powerplant in the car now? Not much, I'm sure.... Put MINI wings on whatever is under the hood, and people will be happy if performance and economy are about where they are or better.

As far as the engine being on it's last legs, I think that is more a choice by BMW than a requirement of what's in the engine. How many variable valve timing turbo DI 4 bangers are out there now? Not a lot, though more are coming. It's got a oil pressure on demand system, variable speed water pumping, and in Europe, start/stop tech. Change the anternator and start/stop system into a light hybrid for more aggressive power regeneration and the tech in the package would be second to none. Continuous improvment could keep the unit going for quite a while, while dropping production costs and amortizing the tooling over a longer usefull lifetime.

What does BMW get? MONEY to pay off what must not be as profitable brand as they would like. What does SAAB get? A new dance partner now that they are weaning themselves from the GM teat.

Matt