MotoringFile Why MINI’s New 8 Speed Transmission is a Huge Step Forward

Discussion in 'MINIs in Other Media' started by JoeClubman, Dec 8, 2015.

  1. JoeClubman

    JoeClubman New Member

    Mar 31, 2009
    3,074
    197
    0
    Ratings:
    +197 / 0 / -0
    When BMW announced that it was sticking with the Aisin 6 speed transmission for the F56 MINI a couple of years ago, more than...The post Why MINI’s New 8 Speed Transmission is a Huge Step Forward appeared first on MotoringFile.

    (visit MotoringFile for the full article)[​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    More...
     
  2. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    3,532
    2,896
    113
    Professional Facilitator and Alignment Consultant
    Holly Springs, NC
    Ratings:
    +2,896 / 0 / -0
    Interesting.
     
  3. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Sep 30, 2011
    5,083
    1,762
    113
    Male
    Sales and Marketing manager
    Hilliard, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +1,763 / 0 / -0
    While new automatics may get better mileage and shift faster, I prefer to shift it for myself.
     
  4. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    semi-autonomous shifting vs shiftless shifting...
     
  5. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Dec 22, 2009
    5,641
    4,596
    113
    Male
    Overland Park, Ks
    Ratings:
    +5,188 / 1 / -0
    I'm not that impressed with 2.5% better fuel economy although every little bit helps from the mfr's point of view, but I am surprised that it's in a smaller package - and of course the price went up another $500+ bux.....mine was $1000, the new ones are $1500......
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    I'm thinking the BMW dual clutch unit wasn't used because it would need a $ignificant redesign to change from a longitudinal to a transverse setup.
     
  7. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    Coulda stayed longitudinal.... Gots a Longer Bonnet....

    Itsa BMW, draped with a MINI on the outside..
     
  8. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
    4,048
    2,246
    113
    Male
    Retired
    Piqua, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +2,810 / 10 / -0
    Gee..an 8-speed auto? Hell, why not just put a semi tranny in it? :ihih:
     
  9. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    Or a CVT.... :wink:
     
  10. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

    Jan 4, 2015
    5,652
    912
    113
    Male
    physician
    York, Pa
    Ratings:
    +1,146 / 0 / -1
    The CVT has one MILLION speeds

    [​IMG]
     
  11. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 5, 2009
    3,378
    3,368
    113
    Ratings:
    +3,369 / 0 / -0
    To take a step forward requires feet. Or at least prosthetics of some sort. This totally takes the foot out of the equation. It's not a step forward at all. It's a hand forward, using a gesture familiar to many of us in a different context, yet representing the same thing.
     
  12. Motoring Magic

    Motoring Magic New Member
    Motoring Alliance Sponsor

    Dec 13, 2009
    397
    266
    0
    Motoring Magic Owner, Ventura County's ONLY MINI s
    Thousand Oaks, Vta cty, socal
    Ratings:
    +266 / 0 / -0
    we are going to charge you DSG prices but give you the same old same old...we made the car HUGE but made the transmission smaller! Excellence in engineering once again! But hey don't forget the important stuff-we do provide you with heavier and more complex electric seats! :mad2:
     
  13. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
    4,048
    2,246
    113
    Male
    Retired
    Piqua, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +2,810 / 10 / -0
    Then, it would appear that BMW is about to court new round of tranny woes.:frown2::yikes:
     
  14. JackMac

    JackMac Well-Known Member

    Jan 1, 2010
    399
    251
    63
    PA
    Ratings:
    +256 / 0 / -0
    An 8-speed auto in this larger/heavier MINI actually makes sense. No doubt that the F54 lacks acceleration and fuel economy when compared to the rest of the lineup, and that's where the 8-speed can help, even marginally.

    However, I prefer my MINIs to be smaller, lighter, manual, and engaging to drive. So no F54 plans for me. Too many other options if shopping for a 5 door car.
     
  15. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

    May 13, 2015
    984
    769
    93
    Madison, WI
    Ratings:
    +895 / 0 / -0
    Mercedes just announced a 9-speed :)


    My bike has 24 gears and I use about 4 of them but then my legs have more torque than a Mini engine.
     
  16. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    2 speed "Slip-N-Slide Powerglide".... FTW
     
  17. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    Heck that was good enough for Jim Hall & his Chaparrals. :D

    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page