Topic: First Drive: 2015 Mini 5 Door

[Autos_Editor]

Mini ramps up the utility in this slightly stretched five door
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[northsparrow]

It's about time somebody other than VW offered Tartan upholstery in their cars

Hopefully this new trend will catch on with other manufacturers.

[Rupert]

How does one read the car speed on the central juke box. I think cars have become entertainment centres. Not for me...the Micra is far better than this at a better price IMO.  I liked the big dial speedo when it was an analogue dial.

[mixmanmash]

If fitted with the auto tranny it enables a coasting function wherein the engine will decouple from the engine and drop to idle at speeds between 50 and 160 km/h.

A self decoupling engine?  I think you mean transmission will decouple from the engine.

With the available adaptive damping (my advice: pony up for this), the Mini now has an acceptable ride. ven in the firmest Sport mode it doesn’t crash over the rough stuff like the previous model.

I think you're missing an E.

I kind of like that they are offering a 5 door version.  Much more appealing than the Clubman.

[Noto]

you beat me to being the editing

Honestly, I used to love Minis, but somehow they just don't seem as desirable to me any more - I really don't know why.  I love the fuel economy, love the power, love the weight/size...maybe I've just grown up?  Maybe arthritis has set in?

The one thing I will always love:

[JohnnyMac]

How does one read the car speed on the central juke box. I think cars have become entertainment centres. Not for me...the Micra is far getter than this at a better price IMO.  I liked the big dial speedo when it was an analogue dial.

I'm pretty sure the new Mini and this 4 door version no longer displays speed in the central display screen.  They've moved it to a more conventional place back in the instrument cluster in front of the driver.

[tortoise]

the Micra is far better than this at a better price IMO.

Que?

[aquadorhj]

finally, a guilt free MINI!!!


i wonder how it would stack up against the new Golf 1.8T.

[hemusbull]

So Mini is as big as a Porsche at the rear. If they squeeze 7 dwarfs it will be a formal 7-seater. that' s it. The biggest

[OliverD]

Not for me...the Micra is far getter than this at a better price IMO.

[HeliDriver]

If fitted with the auto tranny it enables a coasting function wherein the engine will decouple from the engine and drop to idle at speeds between 50 and 160 km/h.

A self decoupling engine?  I think you mean transmission will decouple from the engine.

I wonder why Mini would do that?

I thought that most engines these days were actually more efficient coasting in gear. The fuel injection cuts off completely, leaving gravity/kinetic energy to spin the engine and power all the accessories without using any fuel at all.

If the engine decouples from the transmission (effectively like coasting in neutral), then you are using fuel just to keep it running.

Or maybe I'm missing the point of what this "decoupling" actually does.

[mixmanmash]

Not for me...the Micra is far getter than this at a better price IMO.

Yeah.  My thoughts exactly.  Totally different class of car.  The Micra being basic transport with the Mini being more focused on performance/handling/go-kartness.

[nlm]

The Countryman ALL4 S went down by $4k?

I never knew: this vehicle is the only new model in Canada that offers awd, turbo, hatch, WITH stick!!! For under $30k!

It cheeses me that you have to buy the $2000k options package to get an armrest. Other than that, I'm intrigued.....

[walk0080]

you beat me to being the editing

Honestly, I used to love Minis, but somehow they just don't seem as desirable to me any more - I really don't know why.  I love the fuel economy, love the power, love the weight/size...maybe I've just grown up?  Maybe arthritis has set in?

As a MINI owner I agree - purely personal opinion, but no current model of MINI appeals to me (and even then, I only like the 1st and 2nd gen hardtop/convertible/clubman - I never liked the Coupe/Roadster/Countryman). Maybe the 3rd generation JCW hardtop/3-door will be something I like. I would consider keeping my MINI for a very long time, but if I were looking for a replacement or a second car, it would not be something from MINI (perhaps a BMW m235i or even the 435 Gran Coupe....)

[mnztr]

If fitted with the auto tranny it enables a coasting function wherein the engine will decouple from the engine and drop to idle at speeds between 50 and 160 km/h.

A self decoupling engine?  I think you mean transmission will decouple from the engine.

I wonder why Mini would do that?

I thought that most engines these days were actually more efficient coasting in gear. The fuel injection cuts off completely, leaving gravity/kinetic energy to spin the engine and power all the accessories without using any fuel at all.

If the engine decouples from the transmission (effectively like coasting in neutral), then you are using fuel just to keep it running.

Or maybe I'm missing the point of what this "decoupling" actually does.

Nope, coasting is more efficient, when the fuel injection cuts of there is still engine braking which slows the car down quite a bit. I like this feature. While I prefer manual I would consider auto just for this feature. Nice car, high on my list as a future used car.

[EV-Light]

I'd consider this to replace my Jetta...

[HeliDriver]

If fitted with the auto tranny it enables a coasting function wherein the engine will decouple from the engine and drop to idle at speeds between 50 and 160 km/h.

A self decoupling engine?  I think you mean transmission will decouple from the engine.

I wonder why Mini would do that?

I thought that most engines these days were actually more efficient coasting in gear. The fuel injection cuts off completely, leaving gravity/kinetic energy to spin the engine and power all the accessories without using any fuel at all.

If the engine decouples from the transmission (effectively like coasting in neutral), then you are using fuel just to keep it running.

Or maybe I'm missing the point of what this "decoupling" actually does.

Nope, coasting is more efficient, when the fuel injection cuts of there is still engine braking which slows the car down quite a bit. I like this feature. While I prefer manual I would consider auto just for this feature. Nice car, high on my list as a future used car.

Not according to Popular Mechanics: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/news/coasting-in-neutral-fuel-economy .

And Car and Driver talked to engineers from Toyota and GM who said the same thing: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/gas-pains-mileage-myths-and-misconceptions-when-coasting-to-a-stop-do-not-shift-into-neutral-page-3

And who says engine braking is a bad thing? It's what you want on a long or steep hill, or if you're coming to a stop.

[Fobroader]

Countryman anyone?!?!?!?

[HeliDriver]

Did some poking around, and it seems that the engine only decouples from the transmission at rest. That makes sense: the engine can stay running while stopped (to power a/c and accessories and whatnot), but without the parasitic drag of spinning the torque converter.

http://drivelinenews.com/transmission-insight/bmw-and-mini-transmission-strategy-revealed/

[pi314]

so that would be like shifting the car yourself into neutral?