The MINI Coupe for the 2008 Model Year

Official MINI Press Release meant for the European market. The US and other markets will not be getting the fuel saving technology mentioned below.

There can be no doubt about it: the new MINI outdoes itself!

Featuring a wide range of improvements for minimum fuel consumption and emissions, the only small premium car in the world is further increasing its leadership in terms of efficiency in the 2008 model year: Starting in August 2007, all new MINIs with a fixed roof will come as standard with high-tech components in and around the engine ensuring even greater economy in the consumption of fuel combined with further enhancement of driving pleasure.

This complete package of improvements made up of Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start Stop, and the gearshift point indicator gives the MINI Cooper S, the MINI Cooper, the MINI One, and the MINI Cooper D an unparalleled balance of driving pleasure and consumption quite unique in this performance class. The absolute champion in terms of efficiency is of course the MINI Cooper D with its 80 kW/110 hp four-cylinder diesel consuming just 3.9 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 72.4 mpg imp) in the EU test cycle and in the process reducing CO2 emissions to just 104 grams per kilometres, a uniquely low figure in this power and performance class. Perhaps the best news is that this improvement of efficiency in all variants of the new MINI comes at the same sales prices as before, without the slightest increase or adjustment.

Pure fun when giving gas, pure power for the on-board network when applying the brakes.

Brake Energy Regeneration standard on all model variants of the new MINI is a wonderful example of the intelligent interaction of additional driving pleasure and reduced fuel consumption. Intelligent energy management serves in this case to convert engine power primarily into drive power for the wheels, with electric power for the on-board network being generated only when the car is rolling (that is in overrun) or under application of the brakes.

To achieve this effect the alternator is automatically disconnected as long as the engine is pulling the car, the power otherwise going to the alternator on a conventional vehicle now being provided in full for even faster acceleration.

A sufficient supply of power to the electrical on-board system is nevertheless ensured at all times, with the alternator being activated again as soon as the MINI switches over to overrun or when the driver applies the brakes.

Battery charge is permanently monitored by the car’s intelligent energy management. Appropriate regeneration phases, a defined minimum charge capacity, and the use of new AGM (absorbent glass mat) battery technology guarantee a maximum service life of the battery.

Brake Energy Regeneration enables the driver of the new MINI to enjoy a further reduction of fuel consumption and emissions regardless of his style of motoring.

The Auto Start Stop function: zero fuel consumption when idling. The fuel consumption of all manual gearbox versions of the new MINI when idling is now virtually zero – because the engine no longer idles. The new Auto Start Stop function automatically switches off the engine when it comes to a halt, for example at the traffic lights, as soon as the driver moves the gearshift lever to its neutral positon and takes his foot off the clutch. And then, to start the engine again, all the driver has to do is press down the clutch pedal, the engine being automatically re-activated without the slightest delay.

The Auto Start Stop function ensures much greater fuel efficiency above all in city traffic. Every time the car comes to a halt, energy consumption and emissions are reduced to zero in a very simple and uncomplicated process, making the unnecessary consumption of fuel when idling a thing of the past.

The Auto Start Stop function is ready to go every time the driver switches on the engine, with the system being activated once the engine oil has reached its normal operating temperature. Under certain conditions Auto Start Stop intentionally does not switch off the engine for reasons of safety and motoring comfort.

Permanent supervision of the car’s running condition as well as weather conditions enables the intelligent control system to detect situations in which ongoing operation of the engine would be recommendable – for example if the battery is almost flat and in very hot (more than 30o C) or very low (less than 3o C) outside temperatures. A further point is that the engine keeps on running in short intermediate stops as long as the temperature inside the passenger compartment has not yet reached the level pre-set on the air conditioning or if the heating is required to de-ice or de-mist the windscreen.

Yet a further point is that the system is able to distinguish between short stops and the end of a drive, not re-starting the engine automatically once the driver has unlocked his seat belt, opened the door or the engine compartment. And last but not least, the driver is able to deactivate the Auto Start Stop function at any time at the touch of a button.

Always driving in the right gear: the gearshift point indicator.

Thanks to the gearshift point indicator likewise featured as standard, the driver of a manual gearbox MINI may always focus on maximum fuel efficiency in his style of motoring. To make this possible the engine electronics permanently analyses engine speed, driving conditions and the position of the accelerator pedal, then applying this data to determine the best gear for economic motoring. Then, as soon as it is appropriate in the light of the data measured, an appropriate arrow symbol will come on in the cockpit display beneath the rev counter and the ideal gear is shown as a number.

The driver is able to activate and, respectively, de-activate the gearshift point indicator via the menu on the on-board computer A further point is that the system even notes and considers the driver’s particular style of motoring, for example particularly fast acceleration.

MINI Cooper S: even greater efficiency in achieving maximum

performance.The profile of the new MINI is characterised in a particularly appropriate and up-to-date manner by the enhanced efficiency of the power units. Indeed, the MINI symbolises self-confidence through its fascinating and likeable design, just as it embodies a feeling of quality at the highest premium level and, through its great appeal, now also offers further enhancement of environmental care.

The exemplary balance of driving pleasure and economy truly outstanding not only in the small car segment is characteristic of all engine variants – and in the process the new MINI Cooper S offers efficiency of the highest standard. This top performer in the range is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder com-plete with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection. Maximum output is 128 kW/175 hp, and peak torque is 240 Newton-metres/177 lb-ft throughout the broad range of engine speed from 1,600 to 5,000 rpm, the Overboost function adding another 20 Nm whenever required to give the driver a maximum of 260 Nm/192 lb-ft.

Top speed is 225 km/h or 140 mph, and the MINI Cooper S accelerates to 100 km/h in just 7.1 seconds. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 6.2 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 45.6 mpg imp) (previously 6.9 litres/100 kilometres or 40.9 mpg imp) and a CO2 rating of just 149 grams per kilometre (previously 164 g/km) clearly prove that this car offers the most advanced engine technology for a perfect balance of efficiency and top performance.

MINI Cooper: more driving pleasure, less fuel.

The four-cylinder normal-aspiration power unit of the new MINI Cooper develops maximum output of 88 kW/120 hp from 1.6 litres engine capacity, with peak torque of 160 Nm or 118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm. Intake valve control based on the BMW Group’s unique VALVETRONIC technology is fully variable, with valve lift and valve opening times being adjusted infinitely and with electronic precision to current power requirements. Indeed, this innovative valve management not only ensures a particularly direct response and a high level of motoring refinement, but also helps to reduce fuel consumption and optimise the car’s emission management.

The MINI Cooper accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds and has a top speed of 203 km/h or 126 mph. Average fuel consumption of just 5.4 litres/100 kilometres or 52.3 mpg imp (previously 5.8 litres/100 kilometres or 48.7 mpg imp) in the EU test cycle and CO2 emissions reduced to 129 grams per kilometre (previously 139 g/km) enable the MINI Cooper to raise the benchmark for efficient driving pleasure once again in the 2008 model year.

MINI One: the starting point for lasting driving pleasure.

The new MINI One offers a particularly attractive entry into the world of MINI, with a very economic rendition of the thrilling experience this unique small premium car is able to offer. The 1.4-litre four-cylinder power unit features the same high-tech components already giving the power unit of the MINI Cooper its impressive muscle and efficiency. Developing maximum of 70 kW/95 hp and peak torque of 140 Newton-metres/103 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm, the MINI One offers truly sporting performance. Acceleration to 100 km/h comes in just 10.9 seconds and the car’s top speed is 185 km/h or 115 mph. Both average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle as well as emission management have been optimised to a new level, the MINI One in the 2008 model year making do with just 5.3 litres/100 kilometres or 53.3 mpg imp (previously 5.7 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 49.6 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions amounting to just 128 grams per kilometre (previously 138 g/km).

MINI Cooper D: more economical, cleaner and more powerful than ever before.

The new MINI Cooper D demonstrates the potential of a modern diesel engine more impressively than ever before, its 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit boasting direct fuel injection based on the common-rail principle as well as a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry ensuring an optimum surge of power at all engine speeds.

Maximum output of this newly developed diesel engine particularly light through the use of aluminium is 80 kW/110 hp, with peak torque of 240 Newton-metres/177 lb-ft between 1,750 and 2,000 rpm, increasing briefly by means of the Overboost function to 260 Nm or 192 lb-ft.

The MINI Cooper D combines fascinating pulling force with sporting performance on the road, accelerating to 100 km/h in just 9.9 seconds and reaching a top speed of 195 km/h or 121 mph. Fuel economy and emissions management of the new MINI Cooper D are even more impressive, with average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of just 3.9 litres/100 kilometres or 72.4 mpg imp (previously 4.4 litres/100 kilometres or 64.2 mpg imp) setting a new benchmark together with the CO2 rating of 104 grams per kilometre (previously 118 g/km).

Never before, therefore, has a MINI been as efficient in saving fuel and minimising emissions. And nowhere else does a car offer as much fun at the wheel on the same kind of fuel economy and emission management. With its maximum range of 1,025 kilometres or 636 miles, finally, the MINI Cooper D also offers remarkable long-distance driving qualities.

New equipment and features for even greater driving comfort and flair.

Optionally available Cruise Control presenting the speed selected by the driver in a digital cockpit display as of August 2007 enhances driving comfort in the new MINI as of the 2008 model year to an even higher standard.

A further point is that not only the MINI Cooper S, the MINI Cooper and the MINI One, but now also the MINI Cooper D is available in the 2008 model year with six-speed automatic transmission.

The range of entertainment features on board the new MINI is enhanced as of August 2008 by an USB plug including a Bluetooth function serving as an option to integrate external audio sources. This allows the user to integrate USB-compatible storage media as well as an MP3 player such as the Apple iPod via the USB port, making such features part of the MINI’s entertainment system.

Access to the music available is very convenient through the control units on the audio system offering various selection criteria such as the artist or the album. And last but not least, the user is also able to connect a mobile phone through the Bluetooth interface with wireless technology.