Date: 2024-12-21 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00017779
Automobile Design
Austin Mini
What gives MINI its distinct shape and fun-to-drive quality?
When I was in my early 20s I bought an Austin Mininvan ... it was classified as a commercial vehicle and therefore sunbjest to the UK's commercial vehicle speed limit of 30 mph. This was a problem and I recieved ... not surprisingly ... some speeding tickets from the constabulary. When it was becoming apparent that I would soon be losing my license, I sold the minivan and purchased a Jaguar Mark V Sedan ... that had not speed limts, could cruise at over a 100 mph and was rarely used because i could not afford the fuel!. The advantage of buying the minivan rather than the car version was the reality that the van purchase avoided the purchase tax, that at that point in time was almost 100%.
It is also worth remembering that the mini was an exceptional vehicles in many ways. Around this time (the early 1960s) the mini won the Monte Carlo Rally several times. The fact that it has be rebranded more than 50 years later as a BMW performance vehicle is fascinating and well deserved.
Peter Burgess
MINI USA MINI USA Updated Nov 11
The MINI was born out of innovation and necessity. Its creator, Sir Alec Issigonis, had a passion for engineering and he embedded that passion within every aspect of the MINI.
Inspired by the necessity that the British oil crisis in the 1950s created, Issigonis set his mind to creating a car that was small, affordable, fuel-efficient, and capable of carrying four adults.
His solution?
He turned the Mini’s engine sideways, and had it power the car’s two front wheels.
This one, seemingly small innovation changed the game entirely. The transverse engine saved room in the engine compartment, which allowed for more cabin space, and front-wheel drive eliminated the need for a drive shaft to power the rear wheels, opening up leg room in the rear of the car.
Issigonis then placed the wheels on the outside of the frame - allowing for whip-fast cornering and go-kart handling and maneuverability, resulting in a car that was incredibly fun to drive.
The original Mini took the world by storm, drivers instantly took to the car, it was a pleasure to drive and allowed for versatility on the road. Initially designed by Issigonis out of circumstance, it quickly caught on to be a cultural icon.
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Leon Alvarado Leon Alvarado Answered Aug 9
Nice little marketing story by Mini USA but the new Mini (which is what I supposed you’re asking about) has as much to do with the original as the Chinese language has to do with Brazil. In 1994 BMW bought the company and decided to redesign and re-engineer the car form the ground up which it did and the new Mini debuted in the year 2000.
The short story is that the new Mini is fun to drive because in essence it’s a BMW chassis and BMWs are fun to drive. The car has changed plenty since it was introduced as a 2001 model. The first generation of it had a Tritec engine (basically Brazilian Chrysler) that for me was way underpowered (74hp) and not good at all but the car handled great. The second generation used Peugeot engines which were much better (118 hp) than the Tritecs.
The car is currently on its third generation and uses BMW engines and the BMW UKL platform which shares with the BMW 1 and 2 series. The engines are a far cry from the old Chrysler engine. So, the little car is basically a front-wheel drive BMW and as such, it performs like a BMW. And, as well all know, BMW is notorious for creating great performing cars. The whole company culture and philosophy revolves around creating a sporting drive experience. There MINI USA. Some of my marketing talk but with substance.