Exclusive: MINI’s Surprising 2015 US EPA Figures Revealed

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. The B46 is a variation of the 2.0L which is a classified as a super ultra-low emissions vehicle by the EPA (SULEV). From there we don’t know what happened but we do know that the EPA decided to re-test the entire line-up of F56 models from the Cooper to the Cooper S. This means that the 2015 car couldn’t be sold until certification was finished – something the EPA said would take until October 1. While the results of this testing hasn’t been published yet, we’ve obtained MPG figures for the 2015 model range that are a little surprising.

The numbers are…. down. Really down. Why? We’re still awaiting word back from MINI explaining what we’re seeing but suffice to say the EPA has decided to downgrade MPG in the 2015 F56 in a noticeable way. Has anything really changed or was the MPG simply off in their original assessment? And if so, how is it that MINI created an entirely new family of engines with more tech (and on the Cooper one less cylinder) while actually becoming no more efficient and in some ways less? We expect some type of statement from MINI shortly.

The 2015 MINI EPA Figures

Now lets look at the bigger picture of how these updated F56 models fit into the previous family of MINIs.

The 2015 Cooper and How it Compares to the R53, R56 and 2014 F56

The 2015 Cooper S and How it Compares to the R53, R56 and 2014 F56