The PSA engines are much complimented in the press. There will be no problem with them in the Mini. BMW engines are also excellent, and have won the international engine award more than once in the past few years, and always have nominations for different catergories.
Every recent BM engined car I have driven has been very very impressive. Even the 1.8 petrol in the 3 series produces 150 bhp, (naturally aspirated) and with innovations like valvetronic, they beat other rival engines hands down. The M3 is truly amazing, and the 330 D is also brill, and that was the older one I drove, not the new one with over 200bhp.
I have yet to drive a new 535 d, but apparently it really is mega, 0-60 in 6.5, 160mph, or something silly like that, and this is the same twin stage turbocharging that will go into the mini. By the time it gets to the mini the tech will be even better and well refined.
I agree it will be a shame to lose the supercharger whine, but Mini wil think of something else for us to listen to.
Everyone was worried about how the mini was going to turn out, and it ended up great. I am sure the new one will be the same as well.
One more boring point. (Sorry Paul, please don't pull this!!) Merc are likely to drop superchargers and go for turbos for the next generation of engines....
Nev. |