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Under the hood: Aluminum 170-horsepower, 1.6-liter direct-injection
turbo four, with 10.5:1 compression ratio, more low-down torque, and freer revving
up top, replaces current 168-horse iron lump. The twin-scroll turbo uses alternating
exhaust pulses, the manifold pairing up cylinders one and four, two and three.
BMW expects 15-percent-better fuel economy, which would be nearly 29 mpg and 37
mpg on the U.S. EPA cycles. The standard Cooper motor is a detuned direct-injection
turbo making about 141 horses. Trannys are five- and six-speed manual and conventional
automatic (no more CVT).
Nose: Design chief Gert Hildebrand regards these design cues
as sacred: bug-eye headlamps, grille shape, clamshell hood with a central bulge.
Headlamps fixed to fenders rather than integrated in hood to cut costs.
Tuning potential: John Cooper Works is aiming for 230 horsepower
from its Works kit car.
Wheels: All-wheel drive is added a few years after the 2007 model
release, either as handling aid or for more rugged driving (think "rally").
Profile: "Floating" roof with gloss-black pillars,
rounded shoulder line, faux-chrome bumpers remain. Tiny overhangs and big wheels
reinforce the car's small proportions.
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BMW contract hire
