MINI considers oil-burning Cooper D for U.S. market
Click above for a high-res gallery of the MINI Cooper D
Although MINI only offers its gasoline-powered models in North American, the diesel-equipped MINI Cooper D is a popular alternative overseas. Tight federal emissions regulations and the high price of diesel have kept MINI from bringing the D over from Europe, but corporate executives have confirmed that they are considering selling a future, cleaner-burning diesel model in the States.
While diesels haven't been a big hit in the North American market until recently, the price difference between diesel and the premium gasoline required for a standard MINI Cooper makes it more feasible. Bosch is currently testing a modified Cooper D in the U.S. and it can supposedly get up to 60 mpg. If MINI can get the emissions in check and prove that demand is high enough, we could see a diesel MINI – in hatch, cabrio, Clubman and potential crossover body-styles – within a couple of years.
Gallery: 2007 MINI One and MINI Cooper D
[Source: USA Today via Kicking Tires]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Carlos 2:08PM (2/10/2009)
*Gasp*
O snap! This would be freaking awesome!
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James 3:13PM (2/10/2009)
If I'd go for a diesel as my next ride...this Mini would be that exact car.
MemphisNET 2:22PM (2/10/2009)
Sign me up!
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1337 3:36PM (2/10/2009)
Me too!
Trace 2:25PM (2/10/2009)
With how long it is taking to get any new diesels on this side of the pond, we are more likely to see hoverboards running off of flux capacitors on the US Interstate system than Mini D's.
This thing should have been here years ago. I'd like to thank the states (you know who you are) and the EPA for making it impossible for manufacturers to sell practical, 50MPG+, small ecofootprint, personal transportations devices on our soil.
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BigMcLargeHuge 2:35PM (2/10/2009)
BMW seems to be better about that than, say VW group.
The 335d and X5d are here, way ahead of the A4 and Q7 diesels.
Buran 2:54PM (2/10/2009)
Huh? The VW Group has had diesel vehicles on sale in the US for years. They were selling TDIs in various parts of the model lineup long before BMW brought out US-market diesels.
BigMcLargeHuge 3:12PM (2/10/2009)
Buran,
BMW has now brought all of their promised clean diesels to the States.
VW has been teasing with the idea of clean diesel Audis for years.
If you don't believe me, please go down to the local Audi dealer and request a clean diesel Audi to test-drive.
Do not eat, sleep, or pee until you get to drive one.
Rich 4:10PM (2/10/2009)
Not all of them: the car in the article is a BMW.
Plus, my TDI is ten years old.
No, it was a pleasure.
krische 4:14PM (2/10/2009)
@BigMcLargeHuge
Actually, the VW Jetta TDI hit the market right around the same time as the 335d here in the US. both were later in 2008 IIRC.
Rocketboy 2:25PM (2/10/2009)
It's about time.
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why not the LS2LS7? 2:32PM (2/10/2009)
If it really makes 60mpg, it'll be rather popular. But even the ABG article doesn't say it can make 60mpg. They in fact got under 50.
Fifth Gear tested the Cooper D and found that in the kind of driving they did (admittedly somewhat spirited) the mpg was barely better than the regular Cooper and in fact given the higher price of Diesel was actually probably more expensive to run.
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BigMcLargeHuge 2:40PM (2/10/2009)
" the MINI still managed to traverse 47 miles for every U.S.-sized gallon of diesel. Considering that most of the driving was around town without any hypermiling techniques, that's exceptional."
47mpg... around town...
montoym 9:02PM (2/10/2009)
and based on that figure, the EPA will likely find it perfectly fine to slap a 35mpg hwy label on it.
Collin 10:55AM (2/11/2009)
If you are comparing spirited driving MPG in the Cooper D versus unspirited driving in the gasoline model. The other thing is people driving out on the road cannot drive WOT [wide open throttle] 24/7. I drive my TDI spirited [non- Top gear version] on the road when the right time permits & I get excellent MPG still. The turbo diesel likes more air for greater power. In a NA gas vehicle you want more power you need exponentially more fuel.
EEL 3:04PM (2/10/2009)
It would be so awesome...if I could get my size 14's to work the pedals!
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Rich 4:12PM (2/10/2009)
Funny. People with the same size feet manage perfectly well in Europe. What is it with Americans that they complain about kneeroom, legroom, headroom, shoulderroom, and everything else* when they see anything smaller than a battleship?
* Not to mention bellyroom and arseroom.
Rocketboy 8:21AM (2/11/2009)
And not to mention that the MINI has more room inside than some bigger cars.
harlanx6 3:18PM (2/10/2009)
Trace: My sentiments exactly! Why the conspiracy against really fuel efficient cars? Is our government really that corrupt to keep efficient vehicles out to protect special interests? Yes they are!
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BigMcLargeHuge 3:34PM (2/10/2009)
The EPA is just still 90% as incompetent as they were before the testing methods were revised.
I'll bet they lug diesels in the laboratory because they don't feel the torque while running lean. How could they? The car is stationary.
On the highway, any sane driver will let off the accelerator as the torque hits down low. No reason to mash it, you won't go any faster by running rich in the near-term.
One would not easily be able to replicate the driving style that low-end torque promotes on rollers.