MINI Cooper D – Diesel and dust

Australian pricing for the MINI Cooper D was announced today, and its entry level figure of $33,750 completes a trifecta of benefits that leave the Hollywood hyped Prius in its dust.

We already know the Cooper D uses less fuel than Toyota’s hybrid. We already know the Cooper D emits less CO2 emissions. Now, we know it will undercut the Prius on price, as well (according to the Toyota website Prius pricing starts at $37,400).

On paper, at least, MINI shows you can have a fuel conscious car, with style, and driving enjoyment. As MINI puts it, yes, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine the MINI Cooper D is fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. A a six-speed auto is available for $2350, if required.

Contributing to the Dooper’s impressive fuel consumption figure of 3.9l/100km is the Auto Start Stop function, where the engine switches itself off when stationary, thereby saving fuel. Other ‘MINIMALISM’ features included are Brake Energy Regeneration and a Shift Point Display that lights at the most optimum time to change gears. There is also a streamlined underbody reducing drag, and many of the car’s ancillaries, such as the power steering, operate only as demand dictates.

The Cooper D engine produces a modest 80kW but, as to be expected with diesel technology, it is the torque on offer—240Nm at a low 1750rpm—that makes cars like this driveable around town. With MINI’s now familiar overboost system torque can peak at 260Nm.

We should see the diesel MINI in showrooms in May this year. Brief discussions with my local MINI Garage indicate this model will generate plenty of interest, and, importantly, solid sales too.

MINI Says Australians Can Have Their Cake and Eat it Too

• MINI celebrates the introduction of MINIMALISM in Australia
• Australia’s most fuel efficient car available: 3.9 litres per 100 km
• Australia’s lowest CO2 emitting car available: 104 g/km CO2
• 240 Nm of torque with 260 Nm available during “Overboost”
• Fastest accelerating diesel in its capacity class in Australia
• Priced from just $33,750

When the new MINI Cooper D goes on sale in May this year it will become Australia’s most fuel efficient car on the market.

Upon its arrival, not only will MINI reset the fuel consumption benchmark with 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres it will set a new benchmark with regard to CO2 emissions, emitting just 104 g/km, the lowest of any vehicle on the road.

Priced from just $33,750 the new MINI Cooper D also comes to market attractively priced compared to some more expensive hybrid models.

“For the first time in Australia, buyers will be able to buy an extremely fuel efficient car, with very low emissions, without having to sacrifice excitement and performance,” says Justin Hocevar, national manager MINI.

“With the MINI Cooper D, Australians can have their cake and eat it too.

“Thanks to MINIMALISM, Australians buyers do not have to forgo typical MINI levels of driving fun, premium quality and safety and a host of personalisation opportunities when they decide to purchase Australia’s most efficient car,” says Hocevar.

The new MINI Cooper D demonstrates the great potential of modern diesel engines more impressively than ever before and will be the first overtly sporty diesel car in this segment. It produces fewer CO2 emissions than hybrid cars on sale in Australia, yet provides very perky performance from its 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine.

The MINI Cooper D comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, and a six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option for $2,350.

The MINI Cooper D is also fitted with several MINIMALISM features (MINI’s version of BMW EfficientDynamics), including the Auto Start Stop function which means the engine switches itself off in traffic jams or at the lights, instead of idling, wasting fuel.

Further MINIMALISM features are Brake Energy Regeneration, previously only available on the BMW M3, and a Shift Point Display that prompts the driver to make upshifts at the most economical time.

In addition, the MINI Cooper D has a streamlined underbody aerodynamic panel for reduced drag, and on-demand functioning ancillaries, such as Electric Power Assisted Steering, a switchable water pump, and volume flow regulated oil pump. All these features serve to reduce fuel consumption.

The 80 kW diesel engine delivers a punchy 240 Nm of torque between 1,750 rpm and 2,000 rpm, 70 percent of which is available at just 1,250 rpm.

This is the third turbocharged MINI engine, joining the petrol-fuelled MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works models, both of which feature twin scroll turbocharging.

Like the MINI Cooper S engines, the lightweight (123.5 kg) MINI Cooper D engine also offers a torque “Overboost” feature. This injection of an extra 20 Nm of grunt punts peak torque to 260 Nm at short notice, for even swifter overtaking.

The MINI Cooper D is the fastest accelerating 1.6-litre diesel powered car in the class in Australia, and the most frugal, by a significant margin.

In addition to incredible fuel economy, the MINI Cooper D delivers very low exhaust emissions of carbon dioxide.

The combined cycle fuel consumption figure is a miserly 3.9-litres per 100 km, with only 104 g/km of CO2 emitted.

Never before has a MINI been so economical and low on emissions – and never before has so much driving fun been available combined with such low fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels.

With a maximum range of 1,025 km from a tank, a MINI Cooper D could comfortably travel from Sydney to Melbourne without refuelling its 40-litre tank.

The 1.6 litre four-cylinder power unit has common rail direct injection (operating at 1,600 bar) and a turbocharger that uses variable turbine geometry which ensures perfectly matched power delivery at all engine speeds, and extremely responsive performance. The turbocharger was developed specifically for the MINI Cooper D.

The degree of turbo-boost is increased at higher speeds for more power and performance, giving the new engine superior torque all the way to the red line, thus enhan­cing its sporty character.

Pre­cisely controlled injectors ensure a super smooth multiple-injection process for each operating cycle, enhancing engine refinement. The six intake ducts in the new injectors are only 0.135 mm in diameter, and the combustion chambers have been optimised in their shape and dimensions to prevent unwanted turbulence and maintain a smooth and consistent combustion pro­cess.

This extremely precise fuel injection process minimises both fuel consumption and emissions from the start.

The exhaust system is fitted with a particulates filter and meets the Euro 4 emissions standard.

The MINI Cooper D Hardtop is identified externally via a more muscular curve to the power dome on the bonnet to accommodate larger induction plumbing-work.

A large intake below the bumper, which feeds air to the heat exchanger, has a unique patterned grille, and is bisected by a slim, body coloured bar.

As with all MINI models, the MINI Cooper D customer will be able to customise their very own vehicle with a multitude of interior and exterior trim and colour options. The full range of MINI factory and dealer fit accessories will also be available.

Recommended Retail Price:
MINI Cooper D from $33,750