MINI's Forward Thinking Adds More Fun With 2 Speeds in Reverse
http://www.mwerks.com/artman/publish...icle_479.shtml
MINI Introduces 8-speed Gearbox
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 1, 2004... Hot on the heels of the announcement of the new MINI Convertible, MINI has announced the world's first 8-speed gearbox, complete with 2 reverse gears.
Research has shown that MINI owners have the highest 'FGF' score (Fun Going Forward) on the road and so MINI engineers have developed a 2-speed reverse gear to increase the 'FGB' (Fun Going Backward) score to a similar level.
Called Double Back Shifting (or Double B.S.), the new system adds a second reverse gear and thereby allows MINI owners to reverse faster than the competition to speeds of up to 40 mph.
As well as increasing the FGB score, The new system, along with MINI's unique size, gives owners an almost unfair advantage when finding those elusive on-street parking spaces: If the driver overshoots the space, they can simply reverse in double quick time using B.S. to zip neatly into the space.
MINI gearbox engineer, Geary Duckshann said: "We worked hard to add this extra gear into the transmission. We are delighted with the results, the only disadvantage being the new larger box now takes up much of the passenger foot well, but it's a price worth paying."
The system has further advantages. Competitive minded drivers are clearly excited by this news and the SCCA is now looking at a reverse autocross challenge where MINI owners can enjoy B.S. to the max.
Pricing has yet to be announced, however, a MINI spokesman, said "this development is perfectly timed as there is no better day than April 1st to announce B.S."
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