Posted 16 August 2009 - 10:52 PM
SPi is Single Pont injection, MPi Multi Point Injection.
SPi Coopers were launched in September 1991 followed by the rest of the range going injection only in 1994. MPi was introduced for the 1997 model year and wee available from later summer 2006. You may also see reference to Twin Point cars, this is just another name for the MPi.
The range also changed when the MPi's were launched, with only two models Mini and Mini Cooper, both with the same 63bhp engine whereas previously the non-cooper models had a lower output.
Mechanically, the SPi was pretty much just a carb engine with a revised camshaft and the injection system added on, but the MPi was more advanced and featured a front radiator, distributerless ignition and a different block based on the A series used in the Maestro.
