We've written before about the diesel-engined Mini Cooper D that's sold in Europe, but not in the U.S. We really like the idea of a clean-diesel Mini.
And now for something completely different.
How about a 3500-horsepower V-18 diesel Mini?
Ummmm, yes.
At this week's Goodwood Festival of Speed, the annual English event for fans of cars, engines, racing, and sheer automotive velocity, diesel engine-maker Cummins Ltd. unveiled this rather unusual conversion.
It's an old-style Mini Pickup fitted with a 78-liter, 3500-horsepower Cummins QSK78, a 12-turbocharger diesel engine built for use in mining industry dump trucks that carry 400 tons of rock.
The engine produces 10,320 pound-feet of torque, and weighs in at a mere 24,250 pounds.
At a previous show, a smart-mouthed attendee had asked Cummins if the engine could be fitted into this Mini. The company's Steve Nendick said Cummins "never like to let a challenge go by unanswered."
He noted that the engine "proved to be a bit tricky to fit under the bonnet" (hood), but you can see how they managed it in the photo. Left unclear is whether the engine actually powers the Mini--though we rather doubt it.
Photo of Mini Coooper D model sold in Europe by Flickr user TheMullett.
[Veloce]
