The BMW sub-brand has announced they will be using new MINIengines for the 2014 Cooper and Cooper S, including a three cylinder petrol, which will be equipped with Mini’s TwinPower turbochargers.

New generation of engines

Both the Cooper and Cooper S will be officially unveiled at the Oxford factory in November and later at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new MINI engines will be a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 100kW and in higher-performing models a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine developing 141kW.

This compares to the current generation’s single powerplant unit, 1.6 litre single turbo petrol, which is tuned differently for different models.

The new MINI platform benefits from lightweight technologies shared with BMW’s new i-series. The 1.5-litre engine offers 220Nm although the company says it can be increased to about 230Nm temporarily with an overboost function. The four-cylinder has about 280Nm of torque at the same speed and 300Nm with overboost. Both engines rev up to 6500 rpm, and will be hooked to newly-developed six-speed transmissions.

The manual gearbox is enhanced with the ability to adjust engine speed for optimal shifts, while the new automatic transmission will be able to communicate with the optional navigation system to adapt gear selection to the current route. For instance, if the navigation tells the gearbox an intersection is ahead, the gearbox will prep for a downshift.

MINI TwinPower technology

A common feature of the new drive units is the MINI TwinPower turbo technology, which optimizes both performance and efficiency. In the case of the petrol engines, this technology package includes turbocharging, direct fuel injection, variable camshaft control on the intake and outlet sides (dual VANOS) and, in the more powerful versions, fully variable valve control according to the model of the BMW Group’s patented Valvetronic system.

Also for the first time, new MINI products will come with electrically adjustable dampers, and on top of mechanically improved handling, future models will come with revised electronic power steering.

Chassis technology

The complete redesign of the chassis for future MINI models continues to focus on the tried-and-tested structure of the single-link spring strut axle at the front, and the multi-link rear axle – unique among the brand’s competitors. In combination with features characteristic of any MINI, such as the vehicle’s low centre of gravity, wide track gauge, short overhangs, transverse engine, rigid bodywork and intelligent lightweight design, innovative solutions in the chassis area make for even more precise and sporty handling.

Is this the next Mini

The latest innovations in drivetrain and chassis by MINI will be previewed at the Los Angeles Auto Show taking place in November.