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Here's a press release from MINI regarding the new MINI One D. There is no word on whether or not it will ever be available in the US.
“The MINI One D will travel to Geneva to make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4 2003. It will be the fourth model to join the MINI range and is the first series production MINI ever to feature a diesel engine. Combining the fuel economy of a modern diesel engine, whilst maintaining the agile driving characteristics so typical of MINI, the MINI One D will go on sale in the UK on June 7 2003. Pricing will be confirmed nearer to launch.
The 'heart' of the MINI One D is a 1.4 litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine, developed in co-operation with Toyota Motor Corporation. During a two-year development period this engine was specially modified for use in MINI. The MINI One D engine produces 75bhp and maximum torque of 180Nm at just 2000rpm. This high-performance direct injection diesel engine combines second generation Common Rail technology with a turbocharger featuring an intercooler. To save weight the cylinder head and crankcase are made from aluminium giving the MINI One D an unladen weight of 1,175Kg.
Fuel consumption in the combined cycle averages 58.9 mpg, and on 50 litres of diesel the MINI One D has a range of up to 625 miles. This means that frugal minded drivers will be able to drive from the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Wight on just one tank of fuel. The CO2 emission figure of 129g/km, ensures that the MINI One D falls into the lowest company car tax bracket.
The six-speed manual transmission, which is fitted as standard on the MINI One D (and also the MINI Cooper S), has been specially adapted to the diesel engine's characteristics in order to make the most effective use of the car's power. The 0-62mph sprint is reached in 13.8 seconds, whilst in fourth gear 50 to 75 mph is achieved in just12.3 seconds. The sixth gear ratio has been reduced in order to lower the engine's speed and fuel consumption on long distance journeys.
The MINI One D has been differentiated from the MINI One by a MINI One D logo on the rear boot lid and MINI Cooper S side sills. In addition, the MINI One D has bigger front-end air intakes for extra engine cooling and a closed off rear bumper skirt concealing the exhaust pipe.”(MINI PR)
While it would be very cool to see this come to the states but I can't see it happening until we require lower sulfer content in our diesel fuel. I think that's still 3-4 years away at best.
Otherwise it looks impressive in terms of economy but a bit disappointing in regards to performance – even for a diesel.
<p>With gas prices these days, seems like the perfect drive.</p>
<p>I'd love to test drive one to see how the drivability is. It probably makes less sense over here than it does in the Uk where gas is (I believe) $6-7 a gallon. But still it would be a heck of a commuting car.</p>
<p>I would love to try out the MINI ONE D, but I am afraid we will not see this model sold in North America anytime soon.</p>
<p>Reasons? Well for once the MINI ONE model is not sold in North America so a Diesel version would have to be sold as the "MINI D" or the "MINI Cooper D".</p>
<p>Second and most important of all, the lack of low sulfur diesel in North America will keep these high tech passenger car diesel engines out of our reach.</p>
<p>Third, Diesel cars still have a pretty bad stigma due to all the junk that Detroit and some Euro makers sold here in the 70's and 80's.</p>
<p>Europe has excellent diesel engine technology but it will be a long time before it catches on here.</p>
<p>Totally agree Frank.</p>
<p>As a previous owner of an original Mini, and 2 diesel M.B.,I would love to see the Mini One D brought to the states, I would postpone the purchase of a MiniCooper,if I hear of plans to sell the One D stateside. It would be good competition for the VW Golf-TDI.</p>
<p>1/16/04: I heard a rumor, given to me as "surprising" from the source they got it from, that the One may come into America in 2004.</p>
<p>If the mini One D can run on bio-diesel, it may not have to wait for lower sulfer diesel – for it to catch on in the US.</p>
<p>We're all looking for ways to convert to diesel engine, so we can go bio</p>
<p>i second the bio-d. i'm also thinking of converting one to run on veggie oil. my friend, mike, converted his vw golf and it's saving him a lot of money and reducing pollution. i wonder if these are in the states yet.</p>
<p>I'd love to buy a diesel Mini! Please bring it to the states.</p>
I second the last opinion. I would love to see the ONEd in the U.S. I need to reduce the money spent on running errands.
Anything made after 1986, should not a have a problem running biodiesel. Especially the mixtures that exist out there like the 5 and 20 % Its only older cars that need to be converted. Diesel needs to have the bad image shaken from it, and diesel engines only run dirty, because of the fuel put into them.
By the way…everyones talking about having to convert cars to run on Vegetable oil. Bio diesel is already converted vegetable oil, so it will run in any diesel engine. And its sold in a few stations around the country. Very clean. 🙂
Dear Sam
Thank you for your email to MINI Customer Information.
We can confirm that none of the present models of diesel engine will run on 100% bio diesel, therefore it cannot be used as an alternative.
We can confirm that the properties of a diesel fuel with a bio-content of up to 5% are the same as those of conventional diesel fuel, which means that there is no effect on their suitability for use in diesel vehicles. This is not to be confused with Ultra Low Sulphur or City Diesel, which are now commonly seen on most fuel station forecourts and can be used. These fuels have no detrimental effect at all on the fuel system or engine.
We would advise that customers proceed with caution when looking at bio diesel as a primary source of fuel though. Diesel fuel in accordance with EN 590 with a bio-content of up to 5% must not be confused with pure bio diesel. Vehicles must be specially designed to run on 100% bio-diesel (rape methyl ester), unlike vehicles that are able to run on diesel conforming to standard EN 590.
This in effect means that the bio-content of diesel fuels available from fuel suppliers should be problem free provided it is under 5% of the total volume (normal diesel supply complying with EN 590). Pure bio-diesel, or blends containing more than 5% bio-diesel, may not be used, as this will lead to detrimental effects on the fuel system or engine. 100% biodiesel cannot be used in our normal diesel engines.
If this type of fuel is used, any resultant damage will not be covered by the Manufacturer’s Vehicle Warranty. Should bio-diesel be added accidentally, do not start the engine as this can cause serious damage, please contact MINI Emergency Service to assist you further.
Please accept our apologies that we are currently unable to offer you a more definitive response but hope that this information is of some help to you.
Yours sincerely
MINI UK
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