Control technology normally used to give rally cars a critical performance boost has been applied by automotive technology specialist Prodrive to the high-performance BMW Mini Cooper S Works.
The Prodrive controller is used to manage combustion airflow, ensuring the engine produces maximum power across the full rev range.
Made by John Cooper Works, to demanding OEM specifications, the Mini Cooper S Works builds on the popular Mini Cooper S with a number of performance enhancements, including a new cylinder head, exhaust system and supercharger, which improve power output to 210 ps (154 kW)and 245 Nm (180 lb ft).
The Prodrive team was asked to develop an electronic control system for the new John Cooper Works air filter. The ingenious air filter designed and developed by John Cooper Works reduces intake system losses and improves airflow through the use of a secondary intake, operated using electronic control. It was in the design and development of this controller that the Prodrive Team was able to apply its expertise.
Prodrive designed a custom electronic control unit (ECU) for the application. The ECU is a robust, highly simplified device that reads a single input - engine speed - and delivers a single output - control of the solenoid that opens the secondary intake. Mounted in the engine bay, the unit was required to be resistant to heat, vibration and moisture.
The electronic control unit designed by Prodrive for the Mini Cooper S Works |
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"This is the type of unit we have developed in the past for our rally cars," explains Peter James, technical specialist at Prodrive. "Rally engines often use these kinds of subtle refinements to squeeze out extra performance. To control them you need simple, but extremely robust and reliable controllers."
The ECU project was delivered as a turnkey solution to John Cooper Garages, with Prodrive managing all the testing and validation of the unit in a project that lasted just four months in total. Prodrive is now managing the manufacture of the low cost devices by a local subcontractor. Up to 5000 of the new units are expected to be required every year to meet demand for the new Cooper S Works. |
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