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We saw this coming. When the EPA required extensive re-testing of the 2015 F56 MINI models we assumed that things we’re going to head in a positive direction for MINI. We exclusively reported the results of that testing early this month and we’re left wondering if 2014 models would deb affected. Wonder no more. Here are the revised figures and as you’d expect, they’ve been downgraded.

Official Release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising estimates for four 2014 BMW Mini Cooper vehicles to ensure consumers are given accurate fuel economy values.

The EPA performed a fuel economy audit on the BMW Mini Cooper and obtained values that differed from those BMW submitted to EPA for certification. With EPA oversight, BMW conducted new emissions and fuel economy testing, and EPA conducted its own testing at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a result of this subsequent testing, EPA is requiring BMW to relabel four of its 2014 Mini Cooper models with lower fuel economy values.

The specific changes to fuel economy stickers are listed in the table below.

2014 BMW Mini Cooper Fuel Economy Value Updates

Old Label Values New Label Values
Model
 Transmission
Combined (mpg)
City
(mpg)
Highway (mpg)
Combined (mpg)
City (mpg)
Highway (mpg)
Cooper 3-door
MT
34
30
42
33
29
40
Cooper 3-door
Semi-Auto
33
29
40
32
28
39
Cooper S 3-door
MT
29
25
38
28
24
34
Cooper S 3-door
Semi-Auto
31
27
38
30
26
35

“Fuel economy values matter to consumers and automakers,” said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. “To provide consumers with the most accurate, reliable and repeatable fuel economy values, we are continuing to strengthen our oversight to ensure fair competition among automakers.”

EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory conducts fuel economy testing on vehicles each year to ensure that their performance matches the mileage and emissions data automakers submit to EPA. These audits are part of the oversight program that helps ensure all carmakers are following the same procedures for calculating mileage estimates. The oversight program also helps the EPA verify that vehicles on the road meet national tailpipe emission standards to protect public health and the environment.

More information on today’s update: www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/updates.htm

2015 MINI Cooper S Figures

Interestingly the figures for 2015 are not identical to those just released for the 2014 models.

The 2015 MINI EPA Figures

model

city

combined

highway

2015 Cooper F56 manual

29

33

40

2015 Cooper F56 auto

28

31

37

2015 Cooper S F56 manual

24

27

34

2015 Cooper S F56 auto

TBD

TBD

TBD

 

Interestingly they’re not identical. But that’s not surprising given that the 2015 Cooper S engine is a new variation of the 2.0L

MINI has had a rough couple of months with the EPA. First MINI USA elected to switch from versions of its 2.0L four cylinder in the Cooper S from the B48 to the B46. But what about the difference between the Cooper models? What has changed in the 2015 models that would have affected this? We hope to uncover that shortly.