Comments on: MINI Powerplants to Become More Efficient

By: MotoringFile » Archive » MINI’s 2008 Fuel Saving Technology Not Coming to US Market?

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:00:36 +0000

[...] had a suspicion that MINI’s new fuel saving technologies wouldn’t make it to the US market, and yesterday we got the confirmation that we didn’t want to hear. With this news, it would [...]

By: cj

cj — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:00:08 +0000

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!!

By: JohnBlueMini

JohnBlueMini — Mon, 28 May 2007 14:30:10 +0000

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.

By: rkw

rkw — Sun, 27 May 2007 04:34:40 +0000

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.

By: Dave S.

Dave S. — Sun, 27 May 2007 01:39:50 +0000

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!!!!

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 26 May 2007 22:07:12 +0000

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

By: JOHN M

JOHN M — Sat, 26 May 2007 08:27:05 +0000

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

By: Franz

Franz — Sat, 26 May 2007 02:47:41 +0000

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

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 26 May 2007 02:26:23 +0000

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

By: DB

DB — Fri, 25 May 2007 22:06:16 +0000

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.

By: SB

SB — Fri, 25 May 2007 21:38:39 +0000

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.

By: ninjamini

ninjamini — Fri, 25 May 2007 18:41:03 +0000

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.

By: OttoMannS

OttoMannS — Fri, 25 May 2007 18:21:45 +0000

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.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 25 May 2007 18:08:12 +0000

Count me in for a Clubman diesel!

By: MillieTheMini

MillieTheMini — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:42:50 +0000

"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..........

By: David

David — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:06:33 +0000

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!

By: Pretzel Logic

Pretzel Logic — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:54:42 +0000

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).

By: gokartride

gokartride — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:44:27 +0000

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

By: Mini2Go

Mini2Go — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:31:49 +0000

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

By: James

James — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:30:53 +0000

"With the reduced emissions for the MINI D, any rumors that it will be okayâ€™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