Tired of the US market being left behind on new developments in technology.

Mini is the only “cute” car that interests me

Nice to see BMW introduce these features in their cars. I wonder how much gas mileage improves with regenerative braking…

It sounds sort of odd to me how it reduces emissions by making electricity for a petrol engine. Is the electrical components being run off of the engine smaller? Or is it just a greater charge… someone fill me in on the details please.

On the other hand, I’m really tired of the US getting Junk cars too. I hope to see that change in the next few years, with all this planned production in the next 5 years or so.

For the Eco-minded -> Which would you prefer, slick Mini or boring Toyota Prius?

this technology is already here on the Saturn Aura and Vue Green Line. For what it’s worth.

As if the cooper does not already have exeptional mpg, it just adds to Mini’s repetuas.

Regenerative braking is the single most important component in hybrid systems. Combined with start/stop, these Minis will greatly improve their city mileage. Considering they already get 30-40 mpg, this boost should put them just under the Prius and Civic Hybrid.

BUT IS THIS A HYBRID SYSTEM GLOBAL LIGHTNING? NO!!!

Like I asked, someone please give me a brief explanation of the system… I can’t seem to find it on wiki or google.

Tosta Mista, I would’nt pick eather I could walk faster than a Prius and every car has the right to be ugly, but the mini abused the privilege!

BMW uber Alles

Settle down jJayC08.
a google search on ‘BMW Brake Engine Regeneration’ pulled up tons of stuff. Here’s a good overview:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/09/bmw_introduces_.html
Interesting, BMW’s regeneration system isn’t the same as other systems. It uses braking energy to power the auxiliary systems. The system is not used to recycle power back to the wheels like in full hybrids.

Actually, the start/stop system is the biggest contributor to the Prius’s EPA City MPG estimate.

The mileage is acceptable, not exceptional by my standards, but damn it’s a fun car to drive. Looking forward to seeing the start/stop system.

If its Bosch then its gonna be what F1 is going to start using. This is probably a test market to help R&D cost.

A DIESEL WITH THE SAME EMISSIONS AS THE PRIUS AND WE DONT GET IT? WHAT THE HELL? awesome

and jJayC08, if youd read into the article it gives you an explanation of the system when not combined with a hybrid powertrain… “Brake Energy Regeneration recharges the battery with otherwise wasted braking kinetic energy. The system is designed to reduce battery’s strain on the engine and to reduce fuel consumption.”

What will BMW think of next? BMW just raised two things higher with BER going into Minis.
1. Sales
2. Average age of the Mini driver

The MINI is at the TOP of my list of want to have (practical/affordable) cars. [Bugatti tops it for unlimited money/dream]

Great fun to drive.

Needs ONE more seat(belt) for me to buy it, according to my wife.

Damn Ricardo, tell us how you REALLY feel!

Sounds like someone cannot afford a BMW so he compensates with the excuse of a “NOTICE ME! I HAVE A INFERIORITY COMPLEX” LOL delicious. Just admit it, if you had money you would be driving a BMW.

Thank you Global Lightning… I read the article A4, I was just curious how exactly it worked already understanding it charged the battery, being that you usually hear about this on hybrids with motors that well… use electric power. I see it’s pretty different than hybrid systems now.

Just let it all out RicardoHead… I think the Mini’s an alright car, but (yes) alot of the owners are either women who think the vehicles cute, or people with inferiority complexity.

For me, I would still buy a Prius. The Mini looks cool, but even with these improvements (start/stop, regen braking…as much a hybrid as what GM makes) the CO2/mile now breaks even with the Prius. But the Prius is a mid-size car based on passenger space! Add in the higher seating position, more gadgets (shiftless CVT transmission, ‘keyless’ entry, push-button on/off engine start, multi-function display). The Prius might look boring, but it’s interesting inside and much more practical than a Mini.
For the hybrid naysayer’s who apparently don’t have first-hand experience, the Prius can accelerate 0-30 quickly, speed-governed at 105mph (reference Al Gore’s son), but because you can immediately see that how you drive affects your mileage, most people drive the Prius rather tamely compared to the standard car where you’re blissfully unaware.

Agreed with whoever made the Mazda2 statements. If they get 150 hp out of it it’ll be a little demon.

Incidentally, someone explain me what the start-stop feature is actually like. Engine goes off and then cranks over on takeoff? How long is the lag? Sounds like a pain in the ass.

All current hybrids have that start-stop feature. With full hybrids like the Prius it doesn’t really matter how fast it is since it can run on electric-only if it needs to, but with Honda’s system, it starts the engine as soon as you release the brake and they claim you can’t get your foot from the brake to the gas before the engine has already started. So the only thing the driver notices is the car isn’t making noise or wasting gas while they’re sitting at a light. I would expect BMW to do the same.

They are using the clutch as the engine start point according to the article.

HIGHER UP