Detroit 2008: MINI to offer diesel option in the US?
click above for more high-res images of the 2008 MINI Cooper D Clubman
The car you see above is the MINI Cooper D Clubman. That's "D" as in "Diesel". The diminutive brand owned by BMW offers a diesel engine in Europe, but to date has not in the U.S. We believe that MINI may correct this at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week. Our guess is based on a press release issued by MINI today that, while saying very little about its plan for the Detroit show other than the Clubman and Clubman S would be present, included images of a left-hand-drive Cooper D Clubman. The press release also mentions that a talking point at MINI's press conference will be "More Driving Pleasure, Less Fuel Consumption: The new MINI in the 2008 Model Year". Couple that with parent company BMW's announcement of two new models for the U.S. market that will be powered by diesel engines, the X5 xDrive35d and the 335d, and it begins to look like MINI will follow suit with a diesel of its own. Of course, MINI has not confirmed this so it's pure speculation on our part, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a Cooper Clubman D burning oil in Detroit next week.
[Source: MINI]
Gallery: 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman D
Gallery: 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman
PRESS RELEASE:
MINI AT THE 2008 NAIAS IN DETROIT
1. MINI at the 2008 NAIAS in Detroit.
(Short Version) 2
2. At a Glance. 8
3. Unique, Extroverted, Irresistible:
The MINI Clubman. 10
4. More Driving Pleasure, Less Fuel Consumption:
The new MINI in the 2008 Model Year. 19
Everybody loves the new MINI. In its design, its flair and agile handling, the new MINI has been desirable right from the start. And now the technology-oriented aficionado of the MINI will find an even wider range of convincing arguments and selling points contributing to the success of this great car. So even more than before, the world's only small premium car stands out through top-quality finish, exemplary safety, the most advanced drivetrain technology, outstanding efficiency, extreme reliability, and lasting value. Indeed, it is precisely through these and many other qualities that MINI has already written an impressive story of success in the USA.
Now yet another new chapter is being added to this success story:
the MINI Clubman. The public will have the wonderful opportunity to admire this extravagantly designed new addition to the MINI model range at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to be held in Detroit from 19–27 January 2008 – and soon they will be able to enjoy the sight of this unique car also on the road, with the market launch of the MINI Clubman in the States starting on February 16, 2008.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Big Jim Swade 7:59PM (1/23/2008)
I'll order a Clubman D today if they just bring them to the US.
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uhsteck 7:05AM (5/31/2008)
Why can't we get the diesel power plant here? The minute MINI brings it to the USA I am buying one of these toys. I drove the Mini Cooper-S in CA this summer, that was lots of fun but I was not impressed with the gas mileage. I am not running out to buy one yet. Plan on going to Europe next month and hoping to rent one of the diesels. At the projected 60 miles per gallon I would love to own one.
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abundanze 11:40AM (1/02/2009)
Let's see a progressive Mini D Clubman for biodiesel. We would buy 2 of them ASAP. With the American auto industry so far behind in innovation, -- is GWBush/Cheney oil people paying off Mini to keep the D Clubman off the market??
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jrolli1509 10:01AM (4/07/2009)
Mini/BMW have the capacity to be a world leader when they release the ClubmanD and the MiniE. When? When?
Since Minis run premium gas, the Diesel should outsell it 10:1--maybe that's why Mini/BMW are dragging their release of advancements and instead, put so much annual investment in changing the body styles--the BMW hardly has any branding recognition anymore.
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Mirko Reinhardt 12:56PM (1/09/2008)
The Mini Cooper D has a fuel economy rating in the Euro cycle of
67 mpg (US) highway
50 mpg (US) city
60 mpg (US) combined
It still has 110 horsepower, which is plenty for a car that small.
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RMc 1:30PM (1/09/2008)
From my time spent looking over EU fuel economy data and comparing to EPA numbers, I've found that 2008 EPA numbers match up as EU Urban = EPA City and EU Combined = EPA Highway when all are in US gallons. In other words, if EPA 2008 rated, the Mini D would be somewhere around 50 city/60 highway.
Combined that with 192 ft-lbs and I'll sign on the dotted line.
Hey hybrids: eat those numbers.
Quentin 4:59PM (1/09/2008)
RMC - Ok. The honda insight, which is very similarly sized to the MINI, trumps the MINI D in fuel economy. Oh yeah, it was $20k as well, where I'm guessing this MINI will cost as much as or more w/ the diesel powerplant. Then, if you compare to the Prius, which gets very similar mileage and would be very similar as far as fuel costs, you'll notice that the Prius comfortably carries 4 people and their luggage at a starting price just over $21k. Then add in the fact that we are comparing a brand spanking new diesel to 4 to 5 year old hybrid technology. The MINI only really trumps the hybrids in the 'fun to drive' and 'available manual trans' category.
I love my wife's MINI Cooper S, and we never plan on getting rid of it. The back seats are worthless for anyone over 8 years old and we have special luggage that fits in the hatch because normal bags won't fit. When we have children, the MINI will be purely a fun, extra car.
RMc 9:42PM (1/09/2008)
Quentin:
Do some research.
2008 EPA on the Prius is 48 city/45 highway.
2008 EPA on the Civic Hybrid is 40 city/45 highway. The Insight is barely a car. I think Honda sold 3 or 4.
The Cooper Clubman D's projected 60 mpg highway is 33% greater than the comparable size hybrids. Not even close.
Speak with facts, not opinions.
calebe 1:03PM (1/09/2008)
wooooowhoooo
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Guenther 1:06PM (1/09/2008)
Don't toy with my emotions like that, Jeff.
Using numbers from the Fatherland....
Mini D- 60mpg, 0-100kph in 9.8
Mini- 42mpg, 0-100kph in 9.2
The diesel is a little slower with the manual, but actually a tic faster when both have an automatic. Price premium is about $2200.
The tough part are the economics of the thing- given equal price of fuel (I know it isn't, but long term is very close) you need to save about 700gallons, which will take you about 85000 miles to do. There are of course other things to include, like differences in maintenance cost and price of fuel in your area.
Those of us who drive over 30k miles a year can see some really interesting choices coming in the next 2 years.
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Chopper Dave 1:29PM (1/09/2008)
I would add the variable that diesels tend to last forever, and Minis already spank the rest of the auto world with their resale value. Can you imagine the resale of a bullet-proof Mini diesel?
why not the LS2/LS7? 1:38PM (1/09/2008)
I just looked up used prices of Mini Coopers on cars.com, I don't find the resales anything special.
I can get a 2004 Mini Cooper with 40K miles for $19,999. It sold new for about $25K. I can get a 2004 Honda Civic EX (auto) with 41K miles for $15,990. It sold new for about $20K. Seems pretty similar to me.
Also, as the owner of a German car I find the idea of a bullet proof German car to be laughable.
Chopper Dave 1:50PM (1/09/2008)
The Mini in your example retained 80% of its value after 4 years (going by model years). That's amazing. Sure, you can compare it to a Honda, but that's also a perennial favorite in residual value. You're stacking the deck.
Check this out: http://www.forbesautos.com/advice/toptens/resale/01-resale_value.html
#1: Mini
Snark 1:07PM (1/09/2008)
"It still has 110 horsepower, which is plenty for a car that small."
Horsepower is nearly irrelevant when it comes to diesels. I mean, sure, it's great that it has 110hp, but the torque is what really distinguishes diesel cars. A 110hp diesel has as much torque as a small V6, and will feel just about as powerful, horsepower difference notwithstanding. Why? Because the power that high-hp engines provide is mostly in their torque. Horsepower is merely how fast the engine works, not how hard - and at the velocity most people drive, more than 150hp is generally unnecessary. High torque and medium horsepower is just as driveable as high ratings for both.
Translation? The Mini D will feel just as, if not more, powerful and driveable as the standard model.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 1:31PM (1/09/2008)
HP is both how fast and how hard the engine works.
HP determines max performance. Looking at the 0-60, it's similar to the gas car, so even the max performance should be pretty good.
Availability of low-end torque can make drivability higher at regular "just ticking over" revs, which is nice. But given that gas cars can also be configured with long crank throws like a Diesel, which provides high torque at low revs but low HP, I would think that if what people really wanted was torque at low revs, gas cars would be configured that way also.
Dextro 9:20AM (1/10/2008)
I own a 2003 Mini One D.
I also own a BMW 530i. I can assure you not only is the Mini a lot more fun to drive, it'll be first off the line from a standstill. The BMW will catch up pretty quick evidently, but the amount of torque that small 73hp diesel engine gives you is simply awesome.
Punkcrisis 1:23PM (1/09/2008)
I cant wait to take one of those bad boys out, that is if they really do release it, which they should diesels are awesome for doing burnouts something the other mini's are lacking!
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Craig 1:29PM (1/09/2008)
They need to bring the Mini D's AND the Mini One's over to the states.
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Guenther 11:42PM (1/09/2008)
uh-pretty sure the Mini 1's are the gen one Minis
010111 12:00PM (1/10/2008)
no. the mini one was a lower end model that was not sold in the US. with a smaller displacement sub-100hp engine. "uhhh."
read up sailor.