Forget the Prius: MINI Cooper D to get 72.4 mpg

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May 27, 2007 | 03:22 AM

#16

Big Andy

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From: UK

I'd still rather have a MINI to drive than a Prius.

May 27, 2007 | 06:42 AM

#17

geko29

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From: IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nextourer

what he said. Wouldn't this be a MINI hybrid then?

If you read the article, the snippet about regenerating on braking is for the alternator. Instead of a standard model where it's running all the time and sapping power from the engine, the alternator on this Mini only engages when you're slowing down. It's the regenerative braking advantage of a hybrid without any actual drive motors.

May 27, 2007 | 09:45 AM

#18

Nextourer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by geko29

hmm ok.. so it's using the alternator as generator only (unlike the drive motors which can power the car and capture braking energy).

So what benefit does this have again? like, that.. mat battery. What does the stored energy power?

May 27, 2007 | 09:55 AM

#19

GSteg

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Nextourer

Traditionally, the battery in a conventional car is used primarily for start-up. Once the car is running, the ignition system any every other electronics in the car is ran off the alternator. The mini cooper uses the stored power to drive the electrical component in the car. This method allows less reliance on the alternator so you get less parasitic loss, which ultimately leads to slightly better fuel economy and less power wasted to drive the alternator.

Not everyone believes in hybrid. It seems most brands get knocked on for having other methods of saving gas, especially if it doesn't follow toyota's philosophy on hybrids. There is always a trade-off.

May 27, 2007 | 11:14 AM

#20

Stage3

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From: Tampa, FL

Ok... so, the hard part of building it is done... Now, bring it to the States so we can all enjoy it!

May 27, 2007 | 04:48 PM

#21

spwolf

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GSteg

Traditionally, the battery in a conventional car is used primarily for start-up. Once the car is running, the ignition system any every other electronics in the car is ran off the alternator. The mini cooper uses the stored power to drive the electrical component in the car. This method allows less reliance on the alternator so you get less parasitic loss, which ultimately leads to slightly better fuel economy and less power wasted to drive the alternator.

Not everyone believes in hybrid. It seems most brands get knocked on for having other methods of saving gas, especially if it doesn't follow toyota's philosophy on hybrids. There is always a trade-off.

i didnt know hybrids were considered religion.

Start/Stop systems have been used long, long, long before BMW started using them... Yaris Eco sold in Europe from 2001 with such system, and Citroen is using them as well in production cars. Even current Yaris in Japan has such system optional.

Problem is that for the additional cost of the system (€500) you dont gain much real world economy, and jerkyness is an problem in start/stop situations (where you dont have electric power to start you before engine starts).

it actually shows that bmw "believes" in hybrid system since this is one of the major components included in hybrids.

It is really hillarious that they are using "no batteries needed" for PR when one of the main benefits is using brake power to provide power to 12v battery...

And of course, Mini is just 2 sizes smaller than Prius... It is like comparing Camry to Yaris Hatch...

May 27, 2007 | 10:36 PM

#22

Bean

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From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRDFantasy

Exactly. I don't see this as significant. Apples to apples, comparing the estimated economy for the next-gen Prius and this Mini D based on UK standards, the Prius still wins in economy.

and emissions

May 27, 2007 | 11:58 PM

#23

Nextourer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GSteg

Gotcha. Thanks for the explanation!

Heh. No I'm not knocking any other methods. Like you said, each method has its pros and cons. Besides, any other new methods are welcomed. If we don't accept new ideas, hybrids would have never been born in the first place. Our world wouldn't have evolved if we suppressed every new idea.