MINI Powerplants to Become More Efficient

Sections: Efficiency | Official News | R56 (Hatch) May 25th, 2007 40 Comments

72.4mpg. 104 g/km C02. No batteries required.

Official MINI UK Press Release: MINI hatch models are to receive technological revisions later this year, resulting in jaw-dropping performance and efficiency figures. Already BMW Group’s cleanest ever car, the MINI Cooper D will be capable of returning an astonishing 72.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 104 g/km.

When production of the revised models begins in August 2007, there will be no requirement for alternative fuel sources or hybrid technology to achieve these stunning stats. All model variants will instead be supplied as standard with high-tech engine tweaks, providing exceptional economy and minimal emissions without compromising the MINI driving experience.

Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop Function and Switch Point Display complete a package that will come at no extra cost to future MINI customers.

Brake Energy Regeneration works by using an Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy, which saves fuel. The IAC reduces drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery, whereas a traditional alternator is always pulling power from the engine. Additionally, the energy generated by the engine on over-run (under braking or descending a hill) was previously wasted. Now this lost energy is utilised by the IAC to charge the battery.

The Auto Start-Stop Function, available with manual transmission cars, automatically switches the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and the driver puts the car into neutral. To restart the driver only need engage the clutch again before pulling away in the normal manner. The system may be de-activated at the touch of a button when not required.

Switch Point Display aids drivers of manual transmission MINIs in selecting the most economical gear in which to drive. The engine management system analyses speed, road situation and accelerator pedal position and based on this data calculates optimum gearing. The ideal gear is then displayed by number in the cockpit display.

Even without these technology advancements in place, MINI leads the new car market for year-on-year improvements in clean engine manufacturing. C02 output per car has been reduced in the last year by an impressive 14 per cent. Putting that into perspective, the industry average was recorded at a lowly 0.3 per cent.

To put the icing on the cake for customers, MINI Cooper D owners will continue to benefit from the car falling into VED tax band B. So savings are not only made in carbon emissions, but at the fuel pumps and the Post Office when replacing an annual road fund licence too. Little wonder then that MINI UK is again celebrating a month of record car sales!

MF Analysis: It’s unclear at this time whether any or all of this technology will find it’s way to US spec MINIs. When this was first mentioned to us last year we were specifically told to not expect the start-stop feature in the US market. With $4 gas it will be interesting to see if that decision has been altered.

Written By: MF Staff

eager2own

Absolutely amazing/awesome!
http://www.minipeople.ru Dimitri

Cool gizmos. I’m sure they will add to the savinf-the-environment-factor and to the how-cool-is-that factor, though in a slightly geeky way.
http://SuperReview Mark

With the reduced emissions for the MINI D, any rumors that it will be okay’d for sale in the US????
The Blue Canary

Wow, I hope by time I get my next MINI I will be able to get something like this. 72 MPG! OMG! (Is that US MPG or UK MPG?)
Ron Arnold

Unleaded premium today in metro Detroit reached $3.79 a gallon. I know that I’ve said it before, but hey MINIUSA, please consider bringing my Clubman over in a “D”. This just makes so much sense these days, it’s a no brainer. That way we could have the most fun vehicle to drive (probably MCS), an outstanding middle of the road vehicle (MC), and the economy champion (MCD). With each one in a Clubman version you could grab a whole lot of market…think about it! It just seems so obvious to me.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Unleaded premium today in metro Detroit reached $3.79 a gallon.

Premium is currently $4.19 in downtown Chicago & Evanston. I’ll second the Clubman D.
Steve

I guess I should count my lucky stars…. Premium unleaded is on $3.29 in Pittsburgh.
http://www.gominigo.com GoMiniGo

even if that is the Imperial gallon, that mpg is impressive. It would steal a lot of sales from the Hybrid buyers. Just think, a car with great mpg and looks. Something that is definitely lacking from the Toyota camp. Oh, did we mention it would be fun to drive too!

GMG
Dustin in Ohio

I live in Ohio – Flat out – I won’t by a Mini (I want one bad) UNLESS they offer the Diesel here in the US. Specifically the one with these goodies. Even converting to US mpg… this Mini will get 60.3 MPG(US)(1 ImpGal to 1.201 USGal). This is substantially the same as the new Diesel VW Sportwagen is going to deliver on Highway. No word from Mini that this 60mpg is combined cycle or highway only. Plus, the VW diesel will be available in the US in January 2008.

I BEG OF YOU BMW – MAKE MY DECISION DIFFICULT. I WANT THE MINI. But you have to sell it here.
Iain

Given that BMW has yet to introduce any of its brilliant diesel engines in the US and shows little interest in doing so (a 535d Sport would be fabulous…), this article is interesting but meaningless right now. We will probably get a Mini D in about 3 or 4 years.

Of course the manufacturers blame the emissions rules for CA, NY, etc (ironic, eh?) but I think they are missing a MASSIVE opportunity. BMW and co have an opportunity to market fast, efficient diesels and start to steal some thunder from Toyota/Lexus and the hybrid approach. Right now, Toyota is winning the perception war…

A Mini Clubman D would be an interesting car for my family….2015?
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

I’m sure that 72mpg figure is only for highway on a 1.4L diesel, not available in the US. Even if we don’t get the other things, the regenerative/disconnecting alternator system would be nice to have.
http://www.dickdavid.com dickdavid

That’s awesome! I hope it makes it to the States.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Given that BMW has yet to introduce any of its brilliant diesel engines in the US and shows little interest in doing so (a 535d Sport would be fabulousÃ¢â‚¬Â¦), this article is interesting but meaningless right now. We will probably get a Mini D in about 3 or 4 years.

I’d use the term “meaningless” carefully. MotoringFile has a large percentage of it’s page views coming from the UK, Europe and the Pacific – all places you can get the MINI Cooper D.
Iain

Gabe,

Agreed. ‘Meaningless in the US’?

This is just my frustration with the US situation coming through – the industry made all this fuss about low-sulfur diesel in the market last September but no product to use it!

I am looking for a lease replacement for my BMW X3 – would love a performance diesel. Right now I have a choice of one single car (M-B 320 CDI) and even that comes with puny 16 inch wheels and no sport pack. Arrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh! The Lexus 450h is looking pretty good right now.

Iain.
NoleMini

Any news yet on color line for this model?
Z4MINI

The problem with diesel in the US isn’t CO2 emissions, it’s NOx (Smog/acid rain) and there is no indication in the article that the new D will pass California emissions (and like minded states.) NOx isn’t caused by the fuel. It’s caused by the high temps of diesel combustion and can only be scrubbed out by urea injection (Blue-Tech on M-Bs), which it doesn’t look like the D has.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

This is just my frustration with the US situation coming through – the industry made all this fuss about low-sulfur diesel in the market last September but no product to use it!

I totally hear you. I have no desire to own one myself but I do believe there’s an important market there in the US that is untapped.
http://www.myr53.com SB

I’d like to see this become available in the states. Everyone goes on about how the price of gas is ridiculous yet we can’t get decent cars that provide high gas mileage yet still be a good looking car. Only the Prius is available which, as I heard mentioned, looks like the offspring of a Possum and a dust buster.
beken

The Smart cars run on diesel. If they are successful, I suspect other car companies, including MINI would reconsider bringing in their diesel products.

There are other issues with diesel engines not usually mentioned. Such as servicing costs of the higher pressure fuel injectors, specialized parts associated with the diesel engines etc. Be careful what you wish for.
interested_party

Hybrids are silly. Diesel rulez.
http://www.mininyc.com James

“With the reduced emissions for the MINI D, any rumors that it will be okayÃ¢â‚¬â„¢d for sale in the US????”

Emissions no longer are the deciding facotr – with the re-evaluated California standards, Diesel vehicles can now be passed for all 50 states. It is for this reason that BMW is bringing 1 Series Deisels for ’08.

It will purely be a brand strategy decision for MINI as to whether or not to offer them here.

Let’s hope they decide to!

james
http://www.pittstopmini.org Mini2Go

…just chiming in to go on record (again) as an interested buyer if the D comes stateside.
gokartride

Nice to see MINI stake claim to some bragging rights in fuel efficiency arena…an important part of Mini tradition.
Pretzel Logic

Sign me up for that D. As a former Prius owner and a current ’04 MC owner, I can tell you that hybrids aren’t the only answer (and aren’t nearly as much fun to drive).
David

If MB can clean up diesel emissions of NOx, then BMW can do it. For my next car purchases I want a Cooper D and a BMW 335 turbodiesel Xi station wagon. Get to work, BMW and be a leader in both performance and fuel economy!
MillieTheMini

“Quote from Beken:

The Smart cars run on diesel. If they are successful, I suspect other car companies, including MINI would reconsider bringing in their diesel products. “

Beken,

Unfortunately, believe it or not, the Smart cars that Penske Motors will be importing into the US are gasoline powered, not diesel.

Up here in Canada, we get the diesel powered model – which makes more sense for a city car, where the higher torque from the smaller (and lighter)diesel engine makes more sense for stop-and-go urban traffic.

But in the US, they have figured that drivers there prefer more horsepower and ease of filling up – which to me in my opinion is counterproductive, as the fuel economy then will not be much better than that of other econoboxes out there. The Smart may be a great looking and attention grabbing car, but with only two seats, so-so driving dynamics and limited adaptability, the Smart needs really exceptional fuel economy to stand out, which a diesel engine would give it.

Yet once again, while diesel is more than good enough for us in Canada, the powers-that-be figure it’s not good enough for our American brethren – even though it’s you, the American motorist, that’s demanding it! Go figure……….
Larry

Count me in for a Clubman diesel!
OttoMannS

BMW is missing on a huge business opportunity by delaying the availability of the diesel models in the USA and Canada.

This news clip is really wetting my appetite for the 2008 model year. If I were in Gabe’s shoes, I would cancel my ’07 MCS order and wait for the ’08. Its going to be a much better car IMHO.
ninjamini

I wonder what the Auto Start-Stop will do for the AC. In Florida I dont want the AC to stop blowing when the car comes to a stop.
http://www.myr53.com SB

What is the reason for the diesel not being available? We can all speculate but what is the real reason. Can you find that out, Gabe?

My wifes car is set to be turned in next year and she has shown interest in getting a MINI again so the diesel would be perfect for her. Maybe the clubman depending on how it looks in person. Plus I could see it becoming the car of choice for traveling over my 06 MCS.
http://dbmini.us DB

Add me to the increasingly growing list of Clubman -D wanters. With how many miles I drive every week, this car would save me money. I haven’t done the math, but any premium for the diesel engine I would surely make back in short order from overall fuel savings.

And, it’s not that long of a wait for a BMW diesel in the US. The X5 is coming in ’08 in diesel form and possibly a diesel version of the 5 series to follow in ’09.

That doesn’t help us that want a diesel MINI however.
Jon

Would love to add one of these to my collection, hope mini see’s it has a fan club
Franz

Count me in for the Clubman D as well. Please MiniUSA, Please!
JOHN M

well mini have shafted all the people who got the r56 early now thats a surprize
Jon

Wish people would calm down, its almost like everybody forgot 02. I bought a very ealy 02 and fully enjoyed it, not perfect by any means and even by 03 a lot of the cars where more stable than mine, but then again I ran my 02 until 04 when I replaced it with a more refined car altough still not perfect. Hence the reason why I now have a 06 R53 in the garage. The fact is the early R56′s are very nice cars, I would say much better quality than my 02, no doubt it will improve but the small upgrades annouced doesn’t make the early R56 ny less fantastic. imo
Dave S.

Diesel/turbo diesel is the way to go MINI! Wake up and smell the coffee and see the potential for a MINI sport diesel (Clubman and R56) in the US/North American market…be a real market leader and DO IT!!!!
rkw

The UK magazine WhatCar published this article. If the numbers can be believed, the changes make a surprising amount of difference:

The additions will come at no extra cost and have no impact on top speed or acceleration figures. They improve fuel consumption by 6.5% on the Mini One, 6.9% on the Cooper, 10.3% on the Cooper S and 12.8% on the Cooper D. Carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 7.2% on the One and Cooper petrol models, 9.1% on the Cooper S and 11.9% on the Cooper D diesel.
JohnBlueMini

Once again there is a HUGE marketing potential for BMW/Mini to exploit here. Incorporate the Bluetech injection process for your Mini Diesel and with your aforementioned industry leading technological and engineering products you will overwhelm your competition and of course bring in scores of new Mini Cooper motorers stateside.
cj

Well I emailed MINI to let them know I wanted two diesels pronto! This was there response:

“Thanks for writing MINI. I appreciate that you want to motor with lower costs and less emissions!

I am sorry to say MINI Division currently has no plans to bring a diesel version of the MINI to the United States. But, we are looking into many new ideas for the future of MINI. Please stay in touch with us through MINIUSA.com for updates.

If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail. I am happy to lend a hand.”

Looks like they are going to act on the diesel in America like they have been acting on European Pick-up!!
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