No word on if the next generation MINI Diesel will come over but at the very least diesel fans have something to be hopeful about (from Autoweek):
“It’s not a question of when to introduce it but how to go forward in the United States,” said Burkhard Goeschel, BMW AG’s board member for r&d. “We can meet 2007 emission standards. Diesel should have a place in the American market. High torque and low fuel consumption make it the most useful engine for an SUV.”
Goeschel told of BMW’s plans here last week at the SAE World Congress.
BMW offers diesel engines in all but two of its models sold in Europe. Nearly one-half of all BMWs sold in Europe are powered by diesels.
In the United States, federal clean air regulations being phased in over the next four model years require low-sulfur diesel fuel and low-emission engines.
[ BMW to bring diesels to U.S. ] Autoweek
MF Analysis: Okay, a diesel powered SUV is probably the most obvious (and safe) choice for the US market. However I would like to think that a small diesel to take on the uber hybrids could be a money maker and a press generator for BMW & MINI. For those that missed the story a few months back, here’s the latest info on the next MINI Diesel: Next Gen MINI Diesel Revealed
The new range of low polluting and high MPG diesels are everything hybrids should be, but with torque. For those that don’t know much about the performance of a modern diesel considering this. The BMW 330d pumps out over 400Nm of torque (peaking power at 1750) yet averages over 40mpg. Naturally, it’s a safe bet that the proposed diesel for the next MINI will be even more fuel efficient.
<p>i totally agree. I don’t know why there aren’t more diesel cars to counter the hybrids. I’m not a fan of hybrids, that’s why I got my MINI, but if i was that focused on fuel conspumption – i would really consider a diesel. I hope to see more compact diesels in the future.</p>
<p>I also think it’s a good move for BMW. Diesels are a good option with respect to a hybrid.</p>
<p>I think one of the reasons many americans are reluctant to go with a diesel though, is the availability of fuel. Not every gas station sells diesel fuel?</p>
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<p>That’s cool and all, but why not spend more attention on becoming energy independent, while you get great GAS mileage in a diesel, I think focus should be elsewhere.</p>
<p>It is. Check out the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.autointell-news.com/News-2001/October-2001/October-2001-1/October-03-01-p9.htm">MINI Hydrogen Concept</a> from 2001.</p>
<p>BMW has long been a leader in the field of hydrogen powered cars. Here’s what they’ve been up to recently: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bmwtransact.com/hydrogen/">BMW CleanEnergy</a>.</p>
<p>The problem actually is related to the lack of low sulfur diesel fuel required by high tech diesel car engines.</p>
<p>Diesel fuel available in the US currently has high levels of sulfur.</p>
<p>I also think that Diesel technology is much better than the overhyped, overpriced and underachieving Hybrid technology.</p>
<p>The focus doesn’t seem to the public to be elsewhere should clarify my point a bit, I know diesels have been around, but I think americans have alot of bias towards them, I think marketing should stray further from the gasoline points, and really make a push to the general public about programs such as BMW’s Clean Energy. I guess i don’t want to be controversial, just putting my limited two cents in, so all those who reply after this, take my limited knowledge into account</p>
<p>Jay – I agree that we need to push ahead with cleaner solutions but the fact of the matter is those really won’t be viable for quite some time. Modern Diesel technology is a great way to “plug the gap” and give us more effecient engines now.</p>
<p>So I wonder what ever happened to the MINI Hydrogen?</p>
<p>I agree Gabe. Based on this statement from the site your provided about BMW’s Hyrdogen advancements:</p>
<p>“When fueled by hydrogen, its 4.4-liter V-8 generates 182 horsepower, which helps it reach 62 mph in 9.9 seconds, and a top speed of 134 mph.”</p>
<p>Diesel is a much more viable, and more cost effective option. If people think they will have a hard time driving around to find Diesel gas pumps, try driving around and looking for a Hydrogen gas pump. Add to that, it is not a cost effective option to get a hydrogen powered car and performance is sacrificed. </p>
<p>Will it be more viable in the future, Hydrogen I mean? Sure. But we need to work with what we’ve got in the interim.</p>
<p>Okay, that was my two cents.</p>
<p>I’d love to see a diesel MINI over here, I am starting to hurt from the ‘poor’ 27mpg I get from my S for my weekly commute. Coming from Europe I’ve always liked diesels though my (American) wife hates them which I think is typical of the opinion of them over here. Not sure I’ll be able to wait until 2007 or later though.</p>
<p>At the Vancouver Autoshow a couple of weeks ago, Transport Canada had a number of cars they were evaluating for the Canadian market. They had MINI One diesel on display. I think it was rated at 58mpg (someone else chime in and correct me if I’m wrong). However, I had an interesting discussion with the rep regarding the diesel in N. America vs the diesel in Europe. Canada is in discussions with the US and Mexico (NAFTA?) to agree to lower the sulfur content in N. American diesel. This would make European diesel engines suitable for our market without any major modifications. Not being an expert on this, does anybody else know what’s going one regarding differing standards for diesel?</p>
<p>I’ve noticed that no one has mentioned BioDiesel. While it’s a fantastic idea to get away from our energy dependance with the Middle East, I read recently that the whole infrastructure needed to support Hydrogen is light-years away. In the mean time, BioDiesel seems to be a great stop-gap solution (though I’m not sure what the sulfur levels are). Anyone want to add their two cents?</p>
<p>Well, James,
I would have mentioned the BioDiesel variable but you beat me to it. 🙂
Imagine the day when diesel engines can run purely on Biodiesel. I’m convinced it will happen. Such a thing would be a boon to the global farming industry. Just like the history of gasoline ic engines got more efficient and powerful with time and technology, so will BD engines get better, more powerful, more efficient, and the only limit we’ll have to fuel is how much corn, wheat, etc. can be planted and harvested in any given year. Farmers everywhere will be back in business, the price of fuel will stay steady and we won’t need to explore for more oil. Hydrogen power will remain a niche technology, unless the hydrogen IC engine makes big strides.
The fact that diesel already has a successful global market helps me put my faith in Biodiesel over hydrogen and gas hybrids.
That’s my utopian rant!</p>
<p>MINI needs to keep the marque interesting. There’s a market for a diesel — how large is uncertain — so put it on the options list for a year or two as a “special edition” and see how it goes. Call it the “MINI Cooper XD” (eXtra distance) to stress an attribute that might be important to Americans. (Just for fun make the armrest and cruise control standard on the XD.)</p>
<p>While we’re speaking of special editions, how about a Type R? The type R would be the lightest U.S. MINI on the market. (For example, air conditioning would be moved to the option list. Although the airbags would have to remain standard.) Make them once every half decade or so for about a two month run.</p>
<p>I’m not a huge fan of the hybrids myself except for the fuel economy. Since we are also a ways off from anything else that would be viable, I think diesel would be the way to go. I could handle getting approx. 600 miles (1K KM) from a tank a fuel that’s for sure!</p>
<p>In the next few years I fully intend to buy a diesel car to run on biodiesel. If that car could be a MINI cabrio I would be so thrilled.</p>
<p>Two comments – one on Hydrogen and one on Biodiesel: </p>
<p>Hydrogen – see this article:
MIT Study: Hydrogen Car No Environmental Panacea
<a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/03/030311074526.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/03/030311074526.htm</a></p>
<p>Biodiesel:
Don’t mean to rain on anyone’s parade (I fully support diesel/biodiesel from a fuel efficiency viewpoint) but it is a well-recognized fact that the high crop yields we derive from modern agriculture are due mostly to the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides that are produced mostly from natural gas, oil, coal and the petrochemicals derived from them. For really large scale application of biodiesel as a petroleum replacement, ways need to be found to produce it that require much less intensive farming.</p>
<p>Does anybody know if the new MINI engines will be authorized to run on E85 (85% ethanol)? Today’s corn-derived ethanol is not particularly viable, but switchgrass (a crop that can grow on currently unfarmable land) along with new, more efficient processing could provide E85 economically, at least if oil prices remain as high as they are (or higher).</p>
<p>BMW would be smart to keep the E85 option open. (Some of the recent Mercedes C240 and C320 models are E85 compatible, for comparison.)</p>
<p>It’d be great to see the new diesels offered here. A MINI diesel is a great option and with the update for the next gen, a no brainer. Plus, the BMW diesels are so powerful and smooth and return great MPG. </p>
<p>They’d be stupid not to offer them here. A I4 diesel for the MINI and the 3.0L I6 diesel for the BMW line…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greasecar.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.greasecar.com</a></p>
<p>considering it works in modern (2005) VW TDI’s, I would love the opportunity to try it in a Mini D.</p>
<p>Yup I have a Mini Diesel in the UK and it is a lot of fun more torque than the mini one. IT comes as a 6 speed mannual and with a cooper side body kit. It is great putting it 6th gear on the moterway and watching the revs drop to about 2500-3000 and you can cruise at 75-80 miles per hour for about 550-600 miles easy. With sport pack on handling like cooper S and with torque pulls out of corners like a cooper. Insurance grade 3 instead of like 16 which is hundreds of pounds a year over here. hundreds pounds can be saved in company car tax. Hundreds of pounds saved in fuel costs per year. We have ours with 17 inch cooper s wheels, sunroof satnav and upgraded HK sterio system and the new look xenon lights.</p>
<p>So no contest in my mind!!!</p>
<p>Oh yeah I forgot.</p>
<p>A TV show here drove a model like mine against a Prius from london to scotland with regular driving conditions Mini D was getting realworld 10-20MPG better than Prius with looks and driving experience light years ahead.</p>
<p>Need to set a few things straight.</p>
<p>The main problem with bringing diesels to the US is NOT high sulfur fuel. In 2007 the sulfur content of US fuel will actually be equal to or better than the European standard.</p>
<p>The problem is that diesel combustion takes place at such high temperatures that atmospheric nitrogen oxidizes and you get NOx…a primary ingredient of smog and acid rain.</p>
<p>This cannot be scrubbed out by filters or catalytic converters. Even the cleanest common rail diesel is about 17 times dirtier than a Prius in this regard.</p>
<p>While for much of rainy northern europe, this may not matter, in the mediterranean countries whre the weather mimics California, it makes a huge difference. The last time I saw smog as thick as the smog I saw in Spain was in 1973 LA.</p>
<p>BTW: I am not suprised that on a road trip from London to Scotland the Prius did not do as well as the diesel. The Prius gets BETTER city mileage than highway because city miles are at low speeds with lots of braking. This allows it to use it’s recuprative brakes and electric motors to their best ability. </p>
<p>Obviously, unless the test was going by secondary, or even tertiary roads, it would be stacked in favor of the diesel.</p>
<p>Hi, I live in the UK where diesel has taken off in a very big way as it is so much cheaper than petrol to run.</p>
<p>Its very interesting to see how enthusiastic you are about the MINI D. Its a good little car, but a little on the sluggish side, but it can do about 60mpg which is pretty amazing. </p>
<p>Companies in Europe are also developing particle filters to remove diesel smog from engines too.</p>
<p>Visit <a href="http://www.whatcar.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.whatcar.com</a> for loads of info on UK cars. On of the best diesels over here is the Accord i-ctdi (in the states you have the acura, your accord is different to ours). We have just bought one and it really is amazing, and is especially good when 1 litre of diesel costs 90p or about $1.60+.</p>
<p>I’ve got a 2000 VW Beetle TDI with a 1.9 L turbo diesel. I get around 43 MPG in town and 48 on the highway. As much as I love the car, it won’t last forever and I’ve got my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to replace it in 2 – 3 yrs with Mini! When I checked with the local Minnesota distributor last Christmas, they weren’t aware of any plans to bring the diesel over to the U.S. If they don’t, BMW is really going to miss an opportunity!</p>
<p>I have been replacing our gas vehicles with diesel for economy and to utilize biodiesel fuel. I have a biodiesel plant near me for supply. I have a 1985 Mercedes 300D that I run on B100 and a 1999 Mercedes E300D. Biodiesel is a great fuel because of its lubricity, emissions, and it is renewable. I do not care to go back to gas engines. Forget hydrogen fuel cell power; biodiesel is the way to go.</p>
<p>Will the Mini D pass california smog?</p>
<p>While in the UK this month, we rented a BMW diesel that gave us 55.3 mpg according to its computer readout. It can be done! We have to battle the oil companies and the politicians that are in their back pockets to do it, however. Why doesn’t someone come up with a diesel powered hybrid is the question that I keep asking. That would truly be the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>Saving gas is not the only reason to drive a diesel. I had the privilege to drive a BMW 535D in Germany a few weeks back. It is a 3.0L Diesel engine twin-turbo intercooled with 272 hp and more than 500 Nm of torque. It goes 0-60 in almost 5 secs flat. It felt quicker than an M5 and the milage. Close to 40MPG. I would buy a diesel if I had the choice.</p>
<p>The US needs to wake up to the fact that fossil fuels will only get more expensive and ultimateley run out. Biodiesel from farmed rape seed etc is the future, if you think diesel cars are slow you are missing out. My five year old BMW 530D has 211 h.p. looks like an M5 and does 0-60mph in 7.8 secs, 140 mph top speed and even full throttle use 23mpg, 37mpg + on the highway. Not bad for a big heavy car, the new BMW range is even quicker! In the UK fuels is now around £1 per litre (approx $8.41 per gall and its coming your way soon…</p>
<p>Mark (September 19th) is quite correct. Many drivers in the US are still charging round in Hummers, big SUV’s and V8 powered tucks. If they continue this way, they will drag us all into the hands of fundamental Islamists, who want nothing more than to bring down the West using oil as a weapon. Now is the time to change from gasoline to biodiesel.</p>
<p>Biodiesel, or better still, straight vegetable oil, powered vehicles are the way to go. It’s “carbon-neutral” (the fuel releases no more carbon dioxide than the plant absorbed when it grew) and contains no sulphur. Nitrogen oxide emissions are higher, but that must be solvable. I’ve read that there is not enough farming land in the USA to supply it’s biodiesel needs and that may be so, but I have also read that certain algaes have a much higher yield of vegetable oil, and who knows what genetically engineered oil-producing crops could do for us in the future. Perhaps large areas of Africa or South America could grow the crops, bringing prosperity to them and fuel for the world. Biodiesel fits perfectly into our existing world – we already have the engines, cars and the fuel outlets. All we need is a massive effort to make the fuel in vast quantities.
I worked on Fuels Cells from 1967-70. At that time, we thought fuel cell powered cars were “just around the corner.” Now 35 years later – they are probably further away still!</p>
<p>There will always be a need for mineral oil in the future as feedstock for the chemical industry. Plastics, paints, adhesives, solvents, drugs etc. are nearly all derived ultimately from mineral (crude) oil. The existing oil industry would throttle back it’s output, the West would be supplied by Canada, Mexico, North Sea, Venezuela, etc. and the Middle East would just have to sell at the prevailing price or lose out. Our first priority therefore is to stop burning the damned stuff – it’s too precious! Once it becomes carbon dioxide, it can only be recaptured by plants, so the obvious thing is to harvest the plants for fuel- biodiesel.</p>
I think it’s time to clear up a few misconceptions concerning diesel emissions. Recent Diesel Engine Emissions Reduction (DEER) Conferences concluded that “the 2007 emission requirements (primarily NOx) will be very difficult to meet given the poor quality of US diesel fuel.” Among the key recommendations were: 1) better fuel quality similar to ECE 2005+, 2) legislative adaptations to take into account the specific diesel advantages like long term emission stability, and markedly lower CO2 emissions. The first point has been addressed; in 2007 the sulphur content of US fuel should be equal to or better than the European standard.
Coupled with the imminent release of promising new technologies like Selective Catalytic Reduction using the additive AdBlue, diesel NOx emissions can be cut by 40% – 90%. Japanese truck makers have introduced this technology to the market, Daimler Chrysler and other European makers are currently doing so.
Interestingly enough, the Japanese auto makes will stick to current hybrid technology rather than move to vastly superior diesel hybrids using the new SCR technology. This decision is allegedly based purely on marketing considerations.