MINI Delays Production of the JCW Exterior Pack

This just in from MINI USA. We’ve got news that the JCW Exterior Package will be delayed. Originally scheduled to be part of the various production changes scheduled for July 2014, the exterior package is set to include wheels, badging and most importantly the JCW aero-kit.

MINI is now telling us to expect production to begin in November. Interestingly MINI’s original plan was to release the full JCW model via the internet in December, publicly debut it January and start production in March. There’s no word on whether that will also be delayed.

Read more

MINI Superleggera Vision retro concept car revealed

MINI has unveiled the Superleggera Vision at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como. This sports car concept was produced in conjunction with Italian coachbuilders, Touring Superleggera, and adds weight to our exclusive story that MINI is planning to ditch the Coupe and Roadster models in favour of a sports car with unique styling.
The Superleggera clearly features a design inspired by the latest MINI hatch, including the LED-ringed headlights, gaping grille and short overhangs. Even the bonnet stripes are present and accounted for – though here they’re subtly embossed in to the metal, flowing in to polished aluminium on the nose.
But there are plenty of sports car flourishes to distinguish this as a model that’s separate from the rest of the MINI line-up, such as the raked windscreen, the low-slung body and the flowing ‘Touring’ line that runs from ahead of the front wheels all the way to the rears. The body was handcrafted from sheets of aluminium by stylists at Touring Superleggera, allowing for crisp lines that MINI says would be virtually impossible using machines.
At the rear, the elegant fin is a sports car throwback, while the Union Jack-inspired rear lights have the air of classic MINI quirkiness about them. Despite the retro styling cues the side sills and rear diffuser are built from the same hi-tech carbon fibre-reinforced plastic used in BMW’s all-electric and hybrid i3 and i8 models.

There’s a definite link to those futuristic BMWs, too, thanks to the Superleggera’s all-electric powertrain. MINI has already experimented with battery power, in the MINI E prototype and its return in this concept reveals it’s still on the table for future models. The UKL1 platform that will underpin all members of the MINI family can definitely take plug-in hybrid technology and MINI believes that all-electric tech is also a great fit for the brand.
MINI bosses have previously told Auto Express that there are between eight and ten potential members of the MINI family. That’s the three and five-door hatches, the Convertible, the two SUVs and the Clubman plus up to four more. The sports car – available as a soft-top and a hardtop – is expected to account for two of them as it replaces the slow-selling Coupe and Roadster models. A MINI insider told Auto Express: “If we are only going to sell 15,000 a year of a certain model, we should make more of an effort to ensure it jumps off the road as something different, but still identifiably a MINI.”
As for what will complete the rest of the MINI line-up, a saloon for China is possible along with a practical MPV-style model.
We’re expecting the new sports car to be introduced in late 2015, where it will be looking to take on models like the new Mazda MX-5. Engines will be borrowed from the standard MINI line-up, with the 189bhp 2.0-litre turbo from the Cooper S almost certain to feature. Three-cylinder petrols and diesels could also be offered, along with a flagship JCW variant boasting around 220bhp.

Read more

Bigger and better: BMW reveals all-new Mini

The 2014 Mini has been revealed and is the most high-tech incarnation yet

The all-new Mini has been unveiled on what would have been the 107th birthday of Sir Alec Issigonis, creator of the original Mini. The latest Mini is based on an all-new platform, adopts a range of new technology and, like the current car, will be built at Mini’s Oxford factory. It will go on sale in spring 2014.

At 385cm long, the new Mini is 10cm longer than the current car, and 77cm longer than the original Mini. It’s also 4cm wider and 7mm taller than the existing Mini.

The Mini has an all-new body, but retains many of the design cues of the current car, including large round headlights, contrasting roof colour, hexagonal front grille and upright rear lights. The sides are more sculpted, however, and there’s a wider tailgate and more tapered side window line.

Five new exterior colours are available and roof rails will be offered as an option for the first time on BMW’s Mini.

Mini claims that the car’s increased dimensions make it much more practical. As well as its increased overall size, the wheelbase is 28mm longer than the current car’s, while the front seat bases are also 23mm longer for improved comfort. Boot space has increased by more than 30 per cent to 211 litres.

The all-new interior includes the latest interpretation of Mini’s familiar large central speedo and information display. There are also circular dials behind the steering wheel, while higher-spec cars gain new “controller” devices on the centre console to operate the satnav and entertainment systems.

At launch three models will be available. The Cooper is powered by a new 134bhp three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that replaces the current model’s four-cylinder unit. The Cooper S has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops 189bhp, while the Cooper D has a three-cylinder turbodiesel engine that develops 114bhp.

All versions have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard; a six-speed automatic gearbox is an option for all three. Fuel economy has improved and CO2 emissions have been reduced; EU fuel economy for the Cooper rises from 52.3mpg to 62.8mpg, while CO2 emissions drop from 127g/km to 105g/km.


CO2 emissions for the Cooper S have dropped from 136g/km to 133g/km, while EU Combined fuel consumption for the Cooper D has risen from 74.3mpg to 80.7mpg and CO2 emissions have dropped from 99g/km to 92g/km.
Mini says the car’s new suspension system is aimed at “intensifying the Mini’s handling responses”; Variable Damper Control is a new option that allows the driver to choose between suspension settings biased towards either comfort or sportiness.

New features available for the car include a head-up display, a Driving Assistant option that uses car-mounted cameras to control the distance to the car in front and warn of an imminent collision, a rear-view parking camera and a self-parking function.
Prices start at £15,300 for the Mini Cooper, a 2.61 (£400) per cent increase over the current model. Cheaper models are expected to be introduced later in 2014. A Cooper S Works high-performance model is also likely to join the range.
Mini is also expected to expand the new Mini family. Spy shots suggest that a five-door version of the hatchback is due, along with a longer estate version that will replace the Clubman.

Read more

MINI Art Beat: London’s Brightest Hour

It's been two weeks of glowing laps around central London, and MINI Art Beat has thrown hundreds of MINI devotees directly into the NOT NORMAL spotlight.

Whether they strolled past Waterloo Place or Tower Bridge, sending a Vine video just steps away from the car, or telecommuted using the MINI Art Beat Facebook app an ocean away, fans eager to catch a few rays of MINI fame did so in a couple of clicks. Each and every photo or video, no matter where in the world they came from, helped to make MINI Art Beat the most social car ever to lay tracks.

 To get this project off the drawing board and onto London's streets, a collective of bright minds came together, wielding a wide range of unique skillsets. Beneath MINI Art Beat's glowing exterior was state-of-the-art tech that highlights a signature MINI love of pushing the boundaries of space and design.

Wanna see more behind-the-scenes tech from MINI Art Beat? Read how this MINI Countryman was radically transformed.

But MINI Art Beat could not have been the shining success it was without the dedicated fans who dazzled the 48,000 LEDs of the car's surface through each day and night. Amidst countless entries, we found a few that really stood out for their zeal, unique messages and even some mid-video surprises. Check out these extra-animated MINI Art Beat films below.

Read more

MINI Vision revealed

 

The new MINI is previewed by a new design concept called the MINI Vision

MINI has revealed its vision of how the all-new MINI will look, but unlike most concept cars it's purely a digital model. Unveiled as a 3D hologram at the MINI design centre in Munich, the MINI Vision "gives more than a few hints where the new MINI is going," according to BMW Group design director Adrian Van Hooydonk.
• MINI reviews
We've already brought you completely undisguised spy shots of the new MINI hatch (set to be revealed simultaneously at the Tokyo and LA motor shows in late November), which has somewhat stolen the concept's thunder, but there are still a number of intriguing design details shown here that will make it to production.
The most striking is the new grille which "reverts back to where we came from", according to MINI design boss Anders Warming. With an integrated bumper and fog lights it's a much simpler design, reminiscent of the original Mini. New headlights keep the classic round design, but are surrounded by an LED frame, a cue first seen on the Rocketman concept.
"The Rocketman was the first embodiment of this new design language," Van Hooydonk told us. "It was a research project that got the whole team very excited, this concept is the next step on from that."
In profile, short overhangs and the classic floating roof silhouette are maintained, but striking plastic cladding - referred to as 'spats' by the MINI design team - runs around the base of the windscreen and down to the wheelarches. "It's something we like, but might not be exactly like that on the finished car," Van Hooydonk revealed.
At the rear larger vertical tail lights cut into the boot lid, with sharp lines sprouting out of them - a big contrast to the clean surfaces of the current car. A stepped rear spoiler and twin tailpipes hint at how the sportier models in the range will look.
A number of significant changes are introduced on the inside, too. These include new functionality for the large central speedo, which is now fully digital and capable of showing an analogue style speedometer, or other parameters in a more futuristic 3D layout. With just three dials below that, the interior is much less cluttered than the current car. It has a party-piece too; hit the sport button next to the gearshift and every display switches from blue to red to signify the steering, throttle and exhaust are in their sportiest settings.
As for the interior package, "you will get a little bit more space on the inside," Van Hooydonk explained. "But MINI is all about a minimum footprint on the road with maximum interior space. I still believe it will be the smallest car in its class."
A production version of the three-door hatch, previewed by this virtual concept, will be the first to be revealed this November - just a few days after Alex Issigonis' birthday (the designer of the original 1959 Mini). That will be followed by a flood of new MINIs including, for the first time, a five-door hatch, as well as a new Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Paceman and even a Saloon to target booming markets like China. "At any one time we have five to eight projects on the go, each of these with offshoots like JCW versions and facelifts," Warming revealed.
According to an inside source the Coupe and Roadster's future is less certain due to underwhelming sales. Instead both two-seaters could be replaced with something more aggressive, such as a low-slung sports car.
But Van Hooydonk is in no rush to launch the all-new range: "MINI is no longer under pressure. Now that we share the new front-wheel drive platform with BMW there is no longer the pressure to expand and pay for all the platform development ourselves. That gives MINI more time and space to consider its next step."

Read more

MINI planning sports car to rival MX-5

The new MINI sports car will replace slow-selling Roadster and Coupe

MINI is set to axe its slow-selling Coupe and Roadster and replace them with a more aggressive standalone sports car that will take on the popular Mazda MX-5.

• MINI news and reviews
MINI has plans for an onslaught of new models over the next six years, and sources say the new sports car – which will sit on the next MINI’s front-wheel-drive architecture – will be offered as a soft-top (shown in our images) and a hard-top.
Plus, unlike the current Roadster and Coupe, the new, sleeker sports cars will share virtually no body panels with the rest of the MINI line-up. However, the 2015 MINI will retain key styling cues from the rest of the new range, including round headlights with LED rings, larger tail-lamps and muscular curves along the sides.
The newcomers are believed to be codenamed the MINI F58 (hard-top) and Mini F59 (soft-top) and are due to go on sale in late 2015 or 2016.

Engines

As with the rest of the MINI range, new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines will be offered on entry-level models. However, it’s the range-topping Cooper S and JCW versions, powered by a new 2.0-litre turbo engine, that performance fans will prefer. BMW’s new modular engine family is said to be capable of producing between 40bhp and 74bhp per cylinder for the petrol engines, and between 26bhp and 60bhp for the diesels. Expect the sports car to produce around 220bhp in JCW tune.
Mechanically, the 2015 MINI sports car will be largely similar to the new MINI hatch, running on the same new UKL1 front-wheel-drive platform and with similar suspension, steering and gearboxes, although all models will be tuned to deliver sharper reactions.
The new car spells the end for the Coupe and Roadster, which were pushed into production by the BMW and MINI design departments, rather than product planning, and failed to achieve even the modest targets set for them.
Even though BMW sources say they are happy with the 15-20 per cent of the market each car has achieved in its class, those markets didn’t grow enough to sell more than 15,000 of the Roadsters and Coupés globally, and just over 2,000 a year in the UK (see panel, right).
A source told Auto Express: “If we are only going to sell 15,000 a year of a certain model, we should make more of an effort to ensure it jumps off the road as something different, but still identifiably a MINI.”
However, despite stiff competition from Alfa Romeo, BMW and Mazda, the new MX-5 rival will have to wait until more important versions of the next MINI have been rolled out before it enters production.
These will be led by the three-door hatchback, which will debut at the LA and Tokyo Motor Shows in November with three and four-cylinder turbo engines and diesel or petrol power.
Only Cooper S, JCW and SD cars will use four-cylinder engines, though; the rest of the range will downsize to three cylinders. MINI will follow the hatch with a five-door model – expected to be the most popular car in the range – at the Paris Motor Show in September 2014.
The five-door MINI Clubman will follow that in time for the 2015 Geneva Motor Show – this time without the controversial rear-facing ‘Clubdoor’ – while the four-seat Convertible is due to be unveiled later in 2015.
There’s no date for the Paceman and Countryman replacements, although the current cars are likely to last for seven-year lifecycles – suggesting 2019 and 2017 respectively.
An MPV will also join the two SUV MINIs, with all three larger cars sitting on a stretched version of the front-wheel-drive platform.

Read more

MINI Takes X Games Munich Gold in Rallycross

Official news from MINI Motorsport: Liam Doran was the dominant Rallycross driver at the X Games in Munich. The British MINI driver not only won two medals, but also put on a spectacular show for the fans.
The fans in the packed grandstands held their breath as Liam Doran launched another attack from the outside lane on the starting straight. Fearless and utterly committed, the Brit in the black MINI RX found the ideal line to spectacularly take over at the front of a field full of big-name drivers on Sunday afternoon. Two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom, drift freak Ken Block and seven other competitors were left in his wake on the 800-metre Rallycross circuit, which was made up of a mixture of gravel and asphalt.

The lead may only have lasted until the exit from turn two, when Toomas Heikkinen took revenge with an unintentional shove to move into the lead, but Liam took up the challenge and, in front of thousands of cheering fans, hunted Heikkinen down for eight long laps. Incredibly, Liam’s MINI crossed the finish line pretty much on three wheels. The earlier collision, damaged the rear-left wheel of the MINI to such an extent that it was sticking out at quite an angle. Liam’s MINI was also considerably less powerful than its rivals. While the other Rallycross cars could call on well over 550 hp, Liam needed just 450 hp. “We were, however, almost 100 kilograms lighter and the set-up of the MINI was perfect for the circuit,” said Liam. The MINI as a successful underdog – a classic scenario. And so it proved to be this time too. Silver medal for Liam and MINI – and donuts with screaming tyres in front of the stands for the fans, who thanked him for the show with a standing ovation.

Gold in the MINI RX
One day earlier, Liam had once again put his tyres through their paces after the opening X Games race – his debut in the MINI RX. This time, he had even more reason to celebrate. The Brit grabbed the gold medal in a no less spectacular race, which saw Liam negotiate three laps with a flat rear tyre without any major difficulties. Unfortunately, fans were unable to watch his triumph live. The race, which was due to take place at the X Games in Barcelona but was cancelled due to rain, was held behind closed doors. Furthermore, it was once again bucketing down in Munich, driving any remaining team members out of the stands.
All in all Liam Doran and MINI enjoyed two fantastic X Games races. “It was a magnificent weekend and we achieved more than we initially expected with a brand-new car against the best Rallycross drivers in the world,” said Liam. “The MINI was really good and the team worked hard. I can hardly wait for the next outing in the USA.” Liam’s MINI RX will now travel straight to another two rounds of the Global Rallycross Championship in the USA and the finale to the 2013 X Games in Los Angeles from 1st to 4th August, where it will star in the next episode of the success story: “Liam and MINI take on the Rallycross world”.

 Source: MINI

Read more

MINIs on the Mack: The World Record Attempt

MINIs on the Mackinaw Bridge. A great idea in our minds – pairing a car we all love with the largest suspension bridge in the country and one of the most beautiful spots as well. MINI owners from all across the country are being invited to help make history on Saturday August 3, by taking part in the world’s largest-ever parade of MINIs and establish a new Guinness World Record.
As big fans of this part of the country (look for an article about this area tomorrow on MF) we’d highly recommend this as a great weekend getaway. There are thousands of B&Bs and Cottage rentals all along western and north Michigan that would be perfect for accommodations and plenty of things in the area to make it a perfect long weekend. In short if you’re looking for something to do the weekend of August 3rd you just found it.
Official Site / Facebook Page
Official Release: Michigan dealer MINI of Grand Rapids, together with MINI USA, are hoping that more than 1,451 MINIs will converge on Mackinaw City, MI, to motor northwards in a complete convoy along Interstate 75 and complete a mass crossing of Michigan’s iconic 26,372 feet long, 500 feet high Mackinac Bridge – where the official car count will be made.

‘MINI ON THE MACK’ was conceived as part of MINI’s ‘NOT NORMAL’ global brand campaign and promises to be great fun for all participants, as well as a record-setting event. After the mid-morning bridge crossing, lunch and entertainment will be provided for all MINI motorists at Little Bear East Arena, St. Ignace, followed by a short walk downtown to the Bayside Music Festival which concludes with fireworks at dusk.
“Our ‘NOT NORMAL’ brand campaign conveys MINI’s individual, high-energy attitude toward life and highlights MINI’s strong, independent character. This July we’re rolling out the second phase of our brand campaign in several bold and refreshing ways and MINI ON THE MACK is a perfect example of that philosophy,” said Tom Salkowsky, Department Head, MINI Marketing.
“The Mackinac Bridge was the world’s longest suspension bridge when it first opened in 1957, so it’s an historic and imposing location for attempting to set a new Guinness World Record,” he added.
The current Guinness Record was set in 2009 in the UK by the London & Surrey Mini Owners Club, which brought together 1,450 MINI cars to fill the historic 2-mile auto racing circuit around the famous Crystal Palace park in the UK’s capital city.
To become part of the biggest-ever MINI parade, owners should register at www.minionthemack.com to secure their spot at the event and purchase commemorative t-shirts. The registration fee (Adults $25 – Children 6-12, $10), covers bridge crossing toll, antennae topper, lunch, music, car contests, shuttle service, entrance to the Bayside Music Festival and Fireworks.
“We are grateful to the Mackinac Bridge Authority and the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau for their generous support with this adventure. I’d like to thank in advance everybody who joins us for MINI ON THE MACK, and wish participating MINI owners an enjoyable, fun-filled and history-making weekend,” said George Sharpe Jr., General Sales Manager at MINI of Grand Rapids.

Read more

New Episode of DRIVE Features the MINI Dakar Racing Team

Every wonder what’s behind the Dakar winning MINI? Drive’s DRIVEN program, takes us behind-the-scenes to look at Team X-Raid, the clever chaps behind the two-time Dakar winning MINI off road racing team. Everything from the cars being built to action in the desert. If you’re a MINI or motorsports fan, you won’t want to miss this.

Read more

Spied: The F56 MINI Completely Without Camoflauge

BMW Marketing has a mole. Or at least it would appear that way as yet another marketing photo-shoot as been infiltrated by a spy photographer. This time it’s the F56′s turn to be (almost) completely exposed in a rather unflattering way. The shoot had three cars (two Cooper S’s and one Cooper) and is for initial marketing material to be launched this fall.
Autoblog is the first site to pony-up for the photos but look for them elsewhere on the web eventually. While we won’t take the photos and post them out of respect for the photographer and Autoblog we do ask that you come back here to join the MINI-centric discussion at MotoringFile. Check out all 27 photos in hi-res at Autoblog.
Before we dive into the photos, there’s one important thing to keep in mind here. These are taken using extremely long zoom lenses, so the views we’re seeing here are going to have a lot of telescopic compression, in addition to being from a strange, high angle. So don’t take the exact shape of anything too seriously.
A couple of key things worth pointing out straight away. We’re finally seeing the full extent of the Rocketman Concept’s influence on the F56. As previously reported here on MotoringFile, the LED “halo” headlight surrounds will serve as fulltime running lights on the F56. Also Rocketman bred, the front grille is finally exposed in all its open-mouthed glory. The rear end is finally coming into focus as well.
The tail lights have grown, as we’d seen in the previous spy shots, but now we’re seeing the full trim. Gone are the “island” tail lights seen on the previous two generations of MINIs. The side scuttles, on the other hand, appear to have returned to their R50/R53 island configuration. As with the R56, the headlights pass through the still clamshell bonnet.
.

Read more

Classic Minis Race at Brands Hatch

The 2013 MINI Festival at Brands Hatch presented MINI fans with first-rate racing action. The occasion: 50 years of the MINI Cooper S.
Exciting races, international stars, stunts, and a feast of entertainment at the iconic Brands Hatch Circuit: last weekend, the 2013 MINI Festival in the English county of Kent was the hub of the MINI universe. Brands Hatch was the site of spectacular scenes. The occasion: the 50th anniversary of the MINI Cooper S. And the 2013 MINI Festival also featured a true racing premiere, as the title “Champion of MINI Festival” was awarded for the first time.

 In a thrilling race, James Martin steered his MINI Cooper S to victory on the 4.207-kilometre circuit against impressive competition – including Lee Allen, who recently won two races in the MINI Challenge UK series – from a mixture of classic Minis, specially modified for racing purposes, and MINI Cooper S racing cars. Also out on the track: many cars from the privately organised English ‘Mini Se7en’ clubsport series, as well as the Mini Miglia, in which tuned classic Minis achieve top speeds of up to 200 km/h.

 In the presence of a legend: the MINI ALL4 Racing
And away from the racetrack? A packed fringe programme with modified MINI custom cars, stunt shows and hot show cars, like the MINI ALL4 Racing, with which eleven-time Rally Dakar winner Stéphane Peterhansel won the last two editions of the toughest endurance rally in the world for the Monster Energy X-raid team. And the weekend would not have been complete without Paddy Hopkirk’s classic Mini Cooper S, with which the living rally legend triumphed at the Rally Monte Carlo in 1964.

 The fans were agreed upon one thing at the end of the two-day show: bring on the next 50 years of the MINI Cooper S.

Read more

MINI Celebrates 10 years of Diesel in the UK

In markets outside the USA, MINI diesel power plants have offered buyers additional options when it comes to saving fuel. From the frugal MINI Cooper D, to the more sporting MINI Cooper SD, the oil burning versions of the MINI have been objects of desire for many a state-side MINI fan. Personally, some of the most fun I’ve ever had in a MINI was motoring up the German Autobahn in a MINI Cooper SD Clubman. All that torquey grunt in such a light, small car made for a very fun package.

While we still don’t get the diesels here in the American market, there is hope on the horizon. MINI USA has said repeatedly that they’re working hard to make a business case to bring diesels across the pond. While that case hasn’t been viable on the current generation cars, there’s a good chance we’ll see oil burning MINIs at some point in this next generation, starting with the F56. Although the catch 22 is that from what we understand of the F56, it’s already going to get diesel-like mileage, without all of the diesel foibles like urea injection that are required to make it CA legal here in the US. Meanwhile, a begrudged congrats to our choorts in the UK. We hope you’ve enjoyed your diesels.
Official release from MINI UK: One man, one engine, and no end of anniversaries: it was 120 years ago that Rudolf Diesel started developing the compression-ignition engine that was soon to be named after him. The very first prototype completed its test run in August of that same year. The first diesel engine factory was founded 115 years go. The engine invented by Diesel was used in ships for the first time 110 years ago, and it has been 90 years since the first diesel-powered truck went on the road. The MINI was first fitted with a diesel engine ten years ago. Each of these anniversaries is reason enough to celebrate the qualities of the diesel engine – and to commemorate its inventor, who died exactly 100 years ago.

Maximum efficiency was the driving force that inspired Rudolf Diesel to develop his novel engine. His design was based on heating the air in the combustion chamber by means of compression to such an extent that the fuel around it would ignite and release large amounts of energy. This is why the diesel engine has such a high level of efficiency. The fact that this principle also generates hallmark MINI driving fun was first demonstrated in the summer of 2003, when the MINI One D was presented as the first diesel model of the premium British small car brand. Its 1.4-litre all-aluminium turbodiesel with common rail direct injection had an output of 55 kW/75 bhp. It combined the characteristic MINI go-kart feeling with an average fuel consumption on the EU test cycle of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
But this was just the beginning of the diesel engine’s career in the MINI. Two years later the MINI One D was upgraded to 65 kW/88 bhp, and though its performance figures increased, fuel consumption remained constant. 2007 saw the launch of the next stage of development: the Geneva Motor Show was the setting for the world premiere of the MINI Cooper D. In this model, the new 1.6-litre turbodiesel now delivered 80 kW/110 bhp. The car’s fuel consumption was reduced yet again in spite of a 25 per cent increase in power output, while 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres once again put MINI ahead of the competition in terms of efficiency.

Thanks to MINIMALISM, however, this was still not the last word. The current MINI models with diesel engines are fitted with further refined injection technology, turbochargers with variable turbine geometry, auto start/stop function, shift point display, brake energy regeneration, on-demand operation of ancillary units, electromechanical steering and cutting-edge exhaust gas purification technology. The result: 120 years after Rudolf Diesel made his pioneering invention, the engine of the MINI Cooper D provides an impressive peak output of 82 kW/112 bhp, a maximum torque of 270 Newton metres at 1,750 rpm , a fuel consumption on the EU test cycle of 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 99 grams per kilometre.
As MINI diesel technology was consistently refined, the variety of engines which functioned according to this principle increased. There are now three diesel engines available to choose from for the MINI. Their common design features reflect the outstanding development expertise of the BMW Group in the field of engine technology. An aluminium crankcase, turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, common rail direct injection with solenoid-valve injectors and a powerful engine control system geared towards each specific model guarantee a level of efficiency which impressively confirms Rudolf Diesel’s vision of an “ideal thermal machine”.
The latest generation of the MINI One D is powered by a 1.6-litre engine which delivers 66 kW/90 bhp and a maximum torque of 215 Newton metres that goes on stream at 1,750 rpm. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are the same as those of the 82 kW/112 bhp MINI Cooper D. The entry-level diesel engine is also available in the models MINI Clubman and MINI Countryman, transferring its power via a 6-speed manual transmission in each case. For the MINI Cooper D there is also the option of a 6-speed automatic transmission which is combined with a 2.0-litre version of the 4-cylinder engine in each model version. The choice between the two variants applies to the MINI, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible, MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman.
The latest and most powerful way to experience the kind of pulling power and efficiency so typical of a diesel engine is provided by the MINI Cooper SD. Also operating with a capacity of 2.0 litres, this 4-cylinder power unit generates a peak output of 105 kW/143 bhp and provides a maximum torque of 305 Newton metres between 1,750 and 2,700 rpm. And this engine offers exemplary economy as well as supreme power delivery. The MINI Cooper SD sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.1 seconds, achieving a top speed of 215 km/h. Its average fuel consumption on the EU test cycle is 4.3 litres to 100 kilometres, with CO2 emissions of 114 grams per kilometre.
The most powerful diesel in the MINI engine portfolio is available for all seven models – the MINI, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible, MINI Coupé, MINI Roadster, MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman. In each model it is combined as standard with a 6-speed manual transmission or else an optional 6-speed automatic transmission. Its power can also be optionally transmitted to all four wheels by means of the all-wheel drive system ALL4 in the MINI Cooper SD Countryman and the MINI Cooper SD Paceman.
As the range of variants has expanded, so the popularity of the diesel engine in MINI models has continuously increased. Despite the fact that the market for this engine type is largely focused within Europe, nearly one in four MINIs supplied to customers in 2012 was fitted with a diesel.

Read more