MINI Performance????

Discussion in 'MINI' started by Green Flash, Apr 13, 2015.

  1. Green Flash

    Green Flash Member

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    MINI is beginning to fall far behind in the power category. Will the new performance models from other manufacturers encourage MINI to develop versions of the engine with more power, or will they continue to keep power low so that a MINI will not outperform cars with the BMW badge?

    Car Engine Size Horsepower

    MINI JCW 2.0 231
    Ford Focus ST 2.0 252
    VW Golf R 2.0 292
    Honda Civic R 2.0 306
    Ford Focus RS 2.3 320
     
  2. Zillon

    Zillon Well-Known Member

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    Meh, it's not all about power.

    I'd rather lighter weight and handling over sheer brute force.
     
  3. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Power to weight is the best determination for a cars performance. All of those cars weigh a lot more than the current MINI 2 door.
     
  4. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    No MINI will ever have more power then the lowest BMW. You can take that to the bank.
     
  5. Green Flash

    Green Flash Member

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    More than HP

    Yes, those of us here all believe there are more important attributes to cars than horsepower - or we would all be on the Dodge Hellcat Forum. It takes more than HP to make a great, fun car.

    Thought it would be interesting to see weight/hp relationships for these cars, but the importance of HP in the public's mind was reinforced by the fact that all the sources checked for specs listed HP, but none listed weight.
     
  6. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    Here is a chart I found here: Top performance car power-to-weight ratios under $100k, $50k and $25k

    Under $25,000 – pounds per horsepower
    2014 Ford Mustang V6 ($22,510) – 11.479
    2014 Chevrolet Camaro V6 ($23,555) – 11.514
    2014 Ford Focus ST ($23,625) – 12.790
    2014 Ford Fiesta ST ($21,400) – 13.807
    2014 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec ($21,300) – 13.930
    2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI 4-Door ($24,995) – 14.152
    2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop ($24,100) – 14.603
    2014 Honda Civic Si ($22,790) – 14.644
    2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata ($23,790) – 14.850
    2015 Volkswagen Jetta GLI ($24,535) – 14.910
     
  7. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    Interesting to note the chart shows only two other cars of choice more expensive than the MINI... Looks like they could stand to lighten the load some too!
     
  8. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #8 cct1, Apr 13, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2015
    Also some of the cars in this thread are AWD and RWD, which also makes a difference.

    Yes, but if you look at the the first post in this thread, the VW Golf R, Civic and Ford Focus RS are all going to be 40kish. A better comparison would be with the GP when it comes out. The second list are cars all a notch lower than what the OP started the thread with.
     
  9. Green Flash

    Green Flash Member

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    A Recalculation

    As ccti points out, the listing of weight/hp ratios are on cars with lesser hp than the new upcoming models, even the MINI which lists an S rather than a JCW. And, I hope his belief that a new, more powerful GP is close on the horizon proves true.

    Doing a bit of calculation to determine weights, and checking most in some sources on the internet - then assuming that the weight of the R class cars will be the same - some of the ratios using the announced horse power numbers are impressive.

    Honda Civic R 9.81
    Ford Focus RS 10.07
    VW Golf R 10.66
    MINI JCW 11.94

    In the first generation GP, MINI found ways to reduce weight. If the 2759 lb MINI hardtop could be reduced by 159 pounds, a 10.0 pounds/hp could be achieved at 260 hp. A reasonable task.

    Awaiting the GP announcement.
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    I have a 260 HP Gen 1, No need to buy a GP III.

    If you want more power you need to look at RMW, not BMW Ooops MINI.
     
  11. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    With the gen 3 MINI the same 2 liter motor puts out more power in a BMW. Dave has it when he said they won't let it have more power than a BMW.

    I had an '89 SHO rated 220 hp it actually had 230-235 and was purposely restricted to that by the exhaust. Why, the Mustang had 225 hp.
     
  12. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I have noticed as I get older my power to weight ratio has gotten worse! :D
     
  13. Eric@Helix

    Eric@Helix New Member
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    :biggrin5:

    I'm in the 'engaging driving experience beats raw HP' camp. I'd rather own and drive a well-sorted R53 than a GTR. Really. I would. A GTR has mind-bending performance, but only a droid could love it. Gimme a S4lt box with some soul and I'm happy, like my current daily S4lt box:

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Clown shoe sighting! ^^^^
     
  15. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Damn......I love that car!
     
  16. Zillon

    Zillon Well-Known Member

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    I love me some clownshoe.
     
  17. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Eric has a pair of clown shoes, the other one is Silver.
     
  18. narvarr

    narvarr Active Member

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    We have a BMW/MINI performance shop here in Dallas call Clownshoe performance...here's one of their cars.
    [​IMG]
     
  19. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    There's no car I've owned that's been any more fun than my old Z3M roadster. I might just get an M coupe one'a these days.
     
  20. Eric@Helix

    Eric@Helix New Member
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    I've heard of them. Love the name!:Thumbsup:
     

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