MINIUSA Responds to the Lowering of MPG Figures by the EPA
When the EPA re-released 2014 MINI MPG figures we reached out to MINI for an official response on the matter. What you see below is that response. While it doesn’t give us insight into why, we can certainly assume that spot checking the original figures proved uncovered discrepancies that led to this re-test. The big question however is what this does to consumer expectations of the new MINI and its efficiency.
Read on for the official statement.
Official statement: MINI is adjusting the stated fuel economy ratings for the 2014 MINI Hardtop. The restated ratings will be one MPG lower in the combined cycle for four models including the MINI Cooper Hardtop Manual and Automatic, and the MINI Cooper S Hardtop Manual and Automatic.
This adjustment was made as the result of retesting models following notification by the EPA that road load testing for one model had delivered different results. Engineers worked closely with the EPA to incorporate these findings into MINI’s computer simulation testing.
While this necessitates change, the 2014 MINI Hardtop still delivers outstanding fuel efficiency. We have sent new labels for 2014 models in stock to our dealers.
<p>Assuming all these updated figures are using the ‘normal’ mode…even for the highway, one could get someway better mileage by going to the ‘green’ mode. Driving 70MPH in cruise control in the ‘green’ mode would be the best way to go. See no need to use the ‘normal’ & especially not the ‘sport’ mode at a steady highway speed. But for that stop/go city driving, the more responsive ‘normal’ would be preferred.</p>
<p>The modes are all about shift points and throttle response, yeah? I think a steady highway speed (not quite what the “highway” EPA test) would be about the same across all three modes as long as you’re in the same gear and going the same speed, wouldn’t it?</p>
<p>The 07 R56 also had its mpg downgraded (most cars did). When I bought it, it had a 40 mpg hgwy sticker, and was downgraded to 37. The reality was I was able to siginficantly beat 40 mpg on the highway without really trying. I suspect the 3 cylinder f56 to be able to do the same. I told a guy at mini one time that I was corresponding with that ‘you guys got the shaft when the EPA readjusted in 07’.</p>
<p>I had a 2008 MCS manual & I consistently got better mileage than the EPA rating. Forgot what the EPA was for that car, but I would easily get 37-38 MPG on the highway even if driven at 80 MPH. If I ‘worked’ at getting the best hwy mileage (ie within 5 miles of the 70 MPH speed limit, ) I was able to get upward of 41MPG which I recall doing on one all highway round trip between Tampa & the DC area.</p>
<p>I don’t know how you were getting that… my ’09 MCS has always hovered around 28 mpg. I might crack 30 if I’m on the freeway (80-85 mph) for pretty much the whole tank with cruise control set.</p>
<p>My 2011 JCW got in the 42 mpg on several occasions. Granted, I wasn’t driving 85-90 mph, but I was keeping up with traffic. Even in town, I was always in the 27-30 area. I couldn’t see much difference in mileage on the in Sport or off when in cruise on the highway. In active city driving, a 2-3 mile drop was noticed.</p>
<p>Now with the dugongs tic in my roadster, yes slot if difference. 21-25 in town in Sport add 2 mpg for off Sport. Highway, even more difference as the stupid transmission wants to keep dropping gears unless it’s over 75 mph. Even in manual. Did mention that I hate this automatic transmission?</p>
<p>I had deleted this comment because for some reason the image wouldn’t attach. Not sure why it’s still here as “Guest”.</p>
<p>I don’t know how you were getting that. My ’09 MCS has always hovered around 28 mpg. I might crack 30 if I’m on the freeway (80-85 mph) for pretty much the whole tank with cruise control set.</p>
<p>That’s interesting re your much lower mileage on your ’09 MCS than my ’08 MCS manual. Even on my current ’12 JCWCoupe manual trans, I tend to get about 29 MPG mixed driving & about 34-35 on a highway trip as long as I set the cruise control no higher than 75 MPH. Of course if those hwy trips were up around 80+ which I’ve also done, then 33MPG would be my best on the JCW.</p>
<p>Are you getting the mpg figures from the car computer, or from the odometer + gas pump? I’ve never trusted the car computer, but I’ve never seen it to be off by as much as we are, either.</p>
<p>All my mileage figures have been from the odometer & gas pump, not the computer…just like I’ve been doing all my driving life.</p>
<p>Drop your cruise control about 10-15 mph and you will have a 4mpg boost. This is exactly what I get in my Clubman S, same model year as yours and manual trans.</p>
<p>He was saying he gets 34-35mpg doing as much as 75mph… and 33mpg if he was up past 80mph.</p>
<p>Fish, what app are you using?</p>
<p>gas cubby</p>
<p>Cool. Thanks</p>
<p>The last two s models I’ve GSD (09 & 11) have both averaged well over 30 mpg in mixed driving each tank. I’d say about 60% Hiway although usually during rush hour. Usually about 32-34 each tank manually calculated</p>