Is MINI Cooper to get All-Wheel Drive Option?

On another note, an all-wheel drive MINI Cooper S would be ideal for entry in the World Rally Championship, returning the

An all-wheel drive MINI Cooper S would be ideal for entry in the World Rally Championship. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

fabled marque to a sport that it once excelled in. BMW has long been involved in motorsport, partnering with Williams in its F1 efforts, running 3-Series models in Touring Car series around the world, and M3s at Le Mans and other sports car events, just to name a few. Rallying the MINI brand would give the little coupe a leg up in respectability, and certify its status as a "guys" car, as well as a popular model for women.

Whatever the final decision is, to remain only with front-wheel drive or offer an all-wheel drive alternative, the finished product is unlikely to make its debut until the next generation MINI arrives. Perhaps at that time, the bosses at BMW will have sorted out and finalized other details, including the possibility of new body styles, alternative engines, and a way of establishing a stronger pricing barrier dividing low-end BMW and high-end MINI products.