MINI to Release “S” and/or JCW Diesel Models

Sections: 2011 LCI | Diesel | R55 (Clubman) | R56 (Hatch) Nov 26th, 2009 21 Comments

Last spring (April 1st no less) we told you about MINI’s plans for using BMW’s 2.0L diesel powerplant in some models. In BMW trim the 2 liter makes as much as 200 bhp and an astonishing 295 ft lb. of torque. While we’d expect MINI to tune down those numbers, the engine mated with MINI’s relatively low weight would create one of the quickest small diesels in the world. In fact we had one of our inside sources confirm the first pre-production date (April 30th) when BMW first mated the engine with a prototype Clubman.

Fast forward seven months and just yesterday we saw our first glimpse of a mysterious diesel prototype R56 on the roads around Munich. It seems obvious to us that what we’re seeing are the first road worthy prototypes of MINI’s first performance diesel model. What remains to be seen is if this is an uprated version of the current 1.6L diesel or the 2.0L BMW diesel we reported on last spring. It’s conceivable that we could see both an “S” and a JCW model based on the 2.0L should BMW decided to go that route. It’s easily tunable to “S” and JCW performance levels awhile being surprisingly efficient (in BMW 123d trim it gets 45 mpg combined). However leveraging the existing 1.6L diesel may be a smarter move for the short term with the 2.0L being saved for the Countryman and a more potent JCW D.

Look for the Cooper S D to go on-sale sometime in late 2010 as a 2011 model. Expected to be released along side the newly refreshed R55, R56, R57 models, the Cooper S D will feature a slightly revised front valance with additional integrated cooling ducts.

Don’t look for this model (or the rumored JCW D) to make it to the US market in the foreseeable future.

Pictures courtesy Diablomotor.com

Written By: Gabe

DUDE!

That’s funny AutoBlog is taking credit for the same pics?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1543687642 Greg Stasko

I would love either of these! “S” or a “JCW” with diesel engines!

For that matter, I’d love ANY flavor of a Mini with a diesel! Especially one of the new Countryman. Wonder if the US will ever see any Mini Diesels?

If my diesel lust continues, I’ll likely be looking at either a new VW (Golf or Jetta) or a used Mercedes (E class or maybe even an ML).

Glad I’m not buying right now!
http://www.fes-auto.com Dr Obnxs

The photographer sells the photos to everyone they can, and the outlets watermark the photos with thier particular branding. That’s why you see the same photos everywhere with different watermarks.

Cool cars. too bad the US will never see them.

Matt
Axel

WTF!! not again the DIESEL BS, please STOP torturing me with this I want one and we here in NA wont get the damn thing so PLEASE stop advertising it LOL
JonPD

Very cool development, it will be fun watching its development. Now only if Mini would ever bring a D to the US market, then again I don’t believe in fairy tails. If we ever see the Mini D in any form I would bet on it being in the R60 though I chuckle to myself about a ~40k base model Mini lol.
Mark

I’m sure this car is (or will be) perfect. I think a MINI with 150HP+, incredibly fun to drive, and 50+ MPG would be one of the worlds greatest machines. However, I live in the United States and I will never get to see such a vehicle. I’m so glad I live in the greatest country in the world. Happy Thanksgiving.
r.burns

No Diesel is NOT the perfect way…

1Â° Diesel motors weight a lot more, the Mini is already weighty on the front wheels…

2Â° Awful noise

3Â° Porsche says pleasure begins above 4000, and Diesels sleep at this level…

Diesels are only made for drivers who drive lots and lots of miles
James Irmiger

r.burns, …or at least lots and lots of city miles! I would trade my S in in a heartbeat if we got any of the diesels here in the States. 90% of my driving is within 40 miles of my house and almost all of that is stop and go city driving, perfect for the diesel!

Maybe I missed something, but weren’t the EU emission standards and the California standards nearly inline with each other? If the diesel is ok for their market, why not here?
Steve

When I first saw the pics, I thought these were Gabe’s last MINI! HA.

All car manufactures must begin and perfect a viable electric vehicle. It is the only answer to many of the world problems. I realize this task is difficult, but it should be the main focus for the future. Petrol (all forms)is limited.

In the short term, I am most intrested in the Refresh of the R56. I am planning to buy a MINI soon and need to know dates. I really don’t want to wait another year. But, if the planned changes are minor, I’l go ahead and order. I’m looking at a JCW in the Black/Cream scheme like Gabe’s. What do you think?
ACohen

@r.burns: Maybe take another look at diesels my friend. Modern diesels are every bit as quiet as modern gas engines and have a negligible amount of added weight mostly due to beefier rotating assembly to deal with the high compression ratios.

As for Porsche’s comment, coming from a manufacturer that makes their money from high revving flat sixes, it should probably be taken as more subjective marketing than a motoring declaration that obviously doesn’t hold true across all engines. Maybe ask Porsche where the ‘pleasure’ begins in a Cayenne. Or why a rotary is such a slug at 4000.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=157700491 Ronald Campbell

I’d buy one. Oh wait, I live in the US so I guess I wont be buying one.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1003965445 Harry Dill

It would make a heck of a lot more sense to see BMW focus on bringing the diesel to North America than spending resources developing and marketing the ridiculous Rolls-Royce edition … what’s next, a MINI Phantom with a twin-turbo W4? This is beyond bizarre, it is unadulterated nonsense. North American consumers need, want, and deserve the diesel. What are you waiting for Munich?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1134606899 Dean Cory

First off they can’t be Gabes because there is a MINI in the pix. Gabe sold his soul to the BMW Baddies!

Tease Tease Tease. This is worse than going to a strip bar. Go there and get ripped off. Just like when ever MINI says something about the diesel.

Face it folks. The USA is the largest market for MINIs in the known universe, and we ain’t ever gonna get a MINI diesel. DB will find a way to get an iPhone on Verizon before MINI USA guives us a diesel.

Sure parts of the US get the MINI E… But I hear those aren’t working out that well either.
r.burns

@ACohen : I understand, I am not saying Diesel is evil, not at all. I am driving diesel as for my daily car, and in Europe we know modern diesels very well… But I am a little scared about the Emerican fascination for these motors, of course they are efficient, but in realty it is just not made for the cars to be driven for Pleasure. That is all I say. With our European experience.
illegalhunter

This would be a huge seller in the UK
-=gRaY rAvEn=-

r.burns above seems to think Diesel engines of today are noisy, heavy, slow……

IN fact today they are just as quiet as gasoline powered engines, fast, torquey and have a lot lower maintenance than gasoline engines….

Not only is he mis-informed but he apparently he needs to be brought up to speed on the development of Diesel engines in the 21st century….they are kicking ass in Le Mans so much so they have to re-write their regulations………..

http://www.leftlanenews.com/audis-diesel-race-car-too-fast-for-its-own-good.html

Go MINI ! Great idea and progressive thinking
r.burns

You don’t understand… I drive modern Diesels everyday for my work, so I know a little about these motors. There is still rattle at cold, and yes you discover that an aesthetic sound is part of Pleasure. Modern diesels below 180hp are not very funny, 200hp and more, are very astonishing BUT still not sporty. It is incredible American people need to do their own experience than trust other.
r.burns

(concerning the maintenance, it is about one third more expensive)
James Irmiger

I think I see where r.burns is coming from (especially after watching years of Top Gear), but the situation here in the States is a bit different. We’re not even allowed the choice for a diesel. It doesn’t matter if the car’s a little heavier, or slower in a straight line, we want the option to choose just like the rest of the world!

Frankly, I don’t think it matters one bit whether it’s sporting or not. I vividly remember a Velvet Red R50 stuck to my R56S’s bumper on one of the Las Vegas AMVIV group drives. Sure, I left it behind in the straights, but she caught up pretty quickly! I, for one, would much rather have fun driving a slow car fast, than a fast car slow!!!

Besides, my R56S clatters so much anyways, I don’t think I’d notice the change ;)
hank chinaski

we don’t need no stinkin’ diesels & “I don’t wanna talk to you no more, you empty-headed animal, food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction…”

let’s skip diesels & go straight to pond-scum fuels.
r.burns

Well……. how can I say it ??? I LIKE Diesels

Yes !

But, not in the Mini, that just don’t agree with MINI way of driving, that requires light-weight motors and a good sound

Can you figure out that diesel motors are heavier and so ! Understeer is the consequence, do you think the Mini isn’t quite heavy on its front wheels ?

You are lucky to know only Cooper and Cooper S, can you imagine that the Cooper D is a lot louder, and more annoying, much more noisy than other modern TDI, because of the poor soundproofing ?

It is Reality, go, go read the many european reviews (translate.google.com)

it’s always the same conclusion, Diesel just don’t match Mini

I repeat I like modern diesel on other cars…

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