Another 3 cylinder on the market in the Mini Cooper

**Canoehead** · 03-23-2014, 02:33 AM

Apparently the new Mini Cooper will also have a 3 banger. Of course, it costs quite a bit more, and they turboed it to get considerably more torque at 162 Lb/Ft (0-60 in 7.5seconds). Hwy mileage is estimated at 42mpg, but the city is a paltry 30mpg estimate based on this article: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/10/2...w-first-drive/

How does this help the Mirage? It proves that 3 cylinder engines are not just for "cheap" cars, and that a car doesn't need a big engine to be fun/capable (the Mirage being as capable, if not as much fun as the Mini).

**m4v3r1ck** · 03-23-2014, 08:18 PM

True, 3 cylinder cars are getting mature

**Canoehead** · 03-23-2014, 09:52 PM

And GM is making three cylinders, but not here yet: http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...ntroduced.html

**MetroMPG** · 03-23-2014, 11:57 PM

So in North America we now have 3-cylinder engines from...

- Mitsu
- Smart
- Ford (Fiesta & Focus, coming)
- BMW/Mini

Plus...

- a 2-cylinder range extender engine in the BMW i3 electric car.

I've read speculation that GM may bring over their Opel Adam city car with a turbo 3, and also that the next generation Volt may use a 3 as its range extender.

I wonder if Fiat/Chrysler is brave enough to bring over the two-cylinder for the 500.

**Canoehead** · 03-24-2014, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I wonder if Fiat/Chrysler is brave enough to bring over the two-cylinder for the 500.

The Harley Davidson Company has had the wildly popular V twin for some time (and it really isn't any better than many other engines). Marketing will be the key. I'd love to hear a throaty twin in a car!