Is MINI Cooper to get All-Wheel Drive Option?

All-Wheel Drive Could Mean MINI Gets Back into Rally Racing

The original Austin Mini was compact and cute, but most importantly it was front-wheel drive. Though today's BMW-designed

BMW is rumored to be considering the option of an all-wheel drive powertrain for the successful new MINI Cooper. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

machine is a premium product with a sporting pedigree in comparison, the MINI still remains rooted in front-wheel drive tradition.

Looking to the future this may not always remain the case. As preparations for the next-generation Cooper begin, BMW is rumored to be considering the option of an all-wheel drive powertrain.

According to Dutch car magazine AutoWeek, BMW has contracted the job of creating an all-wheel drive system to Driveline Systems, a subsidiary of Getrag. With a reputation for building some of the world's

BMW has contracted the job of creating an all-wheel drive system to Driveline Systems, a subsidiary of Getrag. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

finest transmissions, Getrag has several ongoing partnerships with MINI, the biggest of which is the supply of five- and six-speed manual gearboxes for the new 2005 Cooper and Cooper S.

The all-wheel drive system currently being developed for the MINI will not be a traditional system where power is permanently allocated to both the front and rear wheels. In normal conditions, the majority of the MINI's power would be sent to the rear wheels, in order to improve handling characteristics. Should these wheels begin to slip, power would then be evenly distributed to the front wheels to help restore traction. As such, it is more of an on-demand four-wheel drive system.