Report: BMW to offer all-wheel-drive Mini in 2008

BMW will offer all-wheel-drive as an option on all of its 2008 Mini models, according to a report by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. The magazine said the system was developed for the extended-wheelbase Clubman, but would find its way into the rest of the 2008/2009 lineup.





In late 2004, a Dutch media report indicated Germany's Getrag auto parts maker was testing an AWD system for the compact car. The prototype was created on Getrag's own initiative, but BMW officials were said to be following the design study closely. Getrag supplies BMW with transmissions.

BMW product boss Burkhard Goschel reportedly took a ride in the prototype, and was very positive about its performance. The AWD system tested by Getrag featured a heavy rear-wheel bias, with the front wheels engaging as needed. It's not known if the production AWD system is the same as the one tested by Getrag.