gas pedal and overall power

Hi Patch,


My MCS is now technically run-in so I've been testing the car in a variety of situations. A couple of observations:


It is a very quick car for a FWD. Because of the high levels of torque the grip is often overcome in anything but very dry conditions. Normally you don't notice the electronics reducing power/using the brakes, but I think the electronics provide assistance nearly all the time. What I've found is that acceleration between 2000rpm and 4000rpm in grippy conditions is fantastic, if the electronics play their part and feed the power in more progressively then the car isn't much slower but it doesn't give you same kick in the back.


Like any single-turbocharged car, the turbo won't be fully effective at all engine speeds. The MCS gives it best from little over tickover to 5000rpm (max power is between 4700-6000rpm). Whilst power doesn't build beyond this point and therefore can feel a little flat, it doesn't feel like it's tailing off before the rev limiter like the R56 MCS did. A friend of mine has a Civic Type R and we're agreed that in a drag race they would be neck and neck with the MINI taking off in each gear and then being caught up by the Type R.


In certain situations I think the car is very quick (20-50mph in 2nd, 30-70mph in 3rd etc.), in fact at times it feels like it can be quicker from 40mph to 60mph in 3rd than in 2nd. Yesterday I timed the car from 30 to 50mph in 3rd gear in 2.7s.


The only disappointment for me is that first gear feels far too short (little over 30mph). Unless you're on a perfect flat road in dry conditions then the DSC will cut in....


It's also worth noting that it doesn't produce any more power (torque) in sport mode than it does in mid or green mode. The car will overboost in green mode (if you have the driving excitement analyser specified it will show you).


It's all subjective of course and depends on what you're used to, but this is a genuine 6.5s to 60mph car, quick not rapid.

patch said:

Thank you very much for your feedback!

I am looking forward finishing the break-in period and see what its gives above 4000 RPM (I know they say to not go above 4500 RPM but I stayed safe limiting myself to 4000)

Also, maybe driving in normal mode will help having a feeling of "longer throw" on the gas pedal. I'll also try that ..

Click to expand...

Hi Patch,
you are quite right when you are in sport mode the throttle mapping is basically giving you more fuel for a smaller movement on the throttle pedal to quote from the Mini UK site ;

MINI Driving Modes allow the driver to adjust the nature of the new MINI at any time. Using the rotary control on the gear selector lever in the centre console, three different driving styles and modes are available for selection: SPORT, MID and GREEN. MID Mode is the default setting when the engine is started, and delivers classic MINI handling. In SPORT Mode, the vehicle response is more direct, letting the driver adopt a more dynamic and ambitious driving style. The engine responds more directly to input from the throttle, while the steering and the damper (where applicable) characteristics become stiffer. If the vehicle features automatic transmission, the gearbox system is also adjusted holding onto gears further up in the rev range and making faster shifts when changing gear. In GREEN Mode, fuel efficiency is maximized. This is achieved by adapting and fine-tuning the characteristics of the throttle and transmission and by modifying the Shift Point Display.

for this reason I personally would be careful NOT to use medium to large throttle openings in sport mode when running in the car , because you are giving alot more fuel to the engine than you make think - basically as you have said you are nearly flat out , in fact you are probably better running in green mode while running in . the advantage of that is once she is run in you can engage the warp drive

I just tried different options and here is what I've experienced:

Green mode: I suggest you don't do spirited driving in green mode. It looks like green mode tries to reduce the power of the engine for most of the pedal throw. On the other hand, if you really press hard on the pedal, it will give you full power. The problem is that it does it abruptly! It's like going from 75% power to 100% in a snap. Found it hard to predict...

Sport mode: I really want to activate the sport mode to have the stiffer suspension so I tried to configure it to affect only the chassis (stiffer suspension and sterring wheel) and not modify the "gas mapping". I had a good feeling about the drive. The only thing that I'm missing with that setup are the engine pops when downshifting. They are so fun I'll have problems living without!

The most noticeable improvement was to disable DTC (traction control). That made a big difference! I really fell I was more connected with car road and, even though tires squeak a little bit, it fell like I got more power to the wheels Thanks for the tip lawrothegreat!