MINI Gets Cummins V-18 Turbocharged Engine

By Jonathan McGrew

Jonathan McGrew

Contributing Writer BIO

Jonathan McGrew has had a steering wheel in his hands since before he could walk. It was inevitable that he would start racing, earning recognition... More

LATEST ARTICLE
MPG Ratings More Important To Car Buyers: For Cost, Or Green Living?
The new car buying process can be quite the task in today’s market. This is especially true... Read More

• N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
• 873ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 0COMMENTS POSTED

1,612 views Jun 30, 2010

Mega Mini: Cummins Mini Project Vehicle

Enlarge Photo

Sometimes a challenge is all that is need to get people’s wheels turning. For Cummins, this includes installing a 78-liter V-18 Turbocharged diesel motor in a original Austin Mini. The results, well they kind of speak for themselves, especially when the motor is bigger than the entire car, both in height and width. I know what you are asking yourself, “Who came up with this wacky idea?”

According to Cummins, the idea was born when a onlooker saw the massive QSK78 diesel engine and told the Cummins folks that he would like on put under the hood of his MINI Cooper. "We never like to let a challenge go by unanswered, so we got to thinking maybe we could fit the QSK78 engine into an original Austin Mini.” said Cummins spokesman Steve Nendick. I am not sure saying that they fit it “in” the Austin Mini is quite accurate, but we applauded their creativity.

For those of you who are wondering what a QSK78 is used for (obviously not normally for powering minicars), its an engine that is generally used in mining dump trucks. If you haven’t ever seen one they are HUGE and they would have to be to utilize the 11-ton 3500 horsepower diesel engine. Now, the horsepower number is significant, but it pails in comparison to the torque rating of 10,300 pound-feet. No matter how you slice it, the fact that Cummins mounted one in the back of an original Austin Mini is quite something, even if it isn't actually hooked up. So for now, this is a static display only.

We were thinking though, if all it takes is a challenge…Hey Cummins, bet you can’t fit a QSK78 in an original Austin Mini and power it by that engine as well.

[Source: Automobile & Leftlane]