MINI pondering BMW-engined diesel models, including JCW?
Two weeks ago, Auto Express reported that MINI would be creating a John Cooper Works edition diesel with more than 160 horsepower and improved torque. Now, fellow UK publication Autocar looks to have the details, which includes speculation that the extra oomph will come from BMW engines now used in the 1 Series cars – and they might not just be for JCW models.
According to the report, the white coats at BMW inserted a detuned 2.0-liter diesel that is longitudinally mounted in the 120d into the transverse engine bay of the MINI. The result was a MINI diesel with 40 hp more than the Cooper D, which currently uses an engine that BMW developed with PSA Peugeot/Citroen.
Autocar also reports that the twin turbo lump from the 123d can be fitted to the MINI, which could be used to create a diesel JCW. If they don't detune the engine, that would mean a 7 hp drop versus the gas-engined version, but 105 more lb-ft. of twist and better than 40 mpg when the drivetrain isn't being stomped on. Autocar says that BMW has begun testing the new diesels with an eye on retail sales in 12 months.
[Source: Autocar | Photo credit: themullett]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tomac 2:04PM (3/31/2009)
Three words: diesels... kick... ass.
Reply
zamafir 2:13PM (3/31/2009)
Well this will be a good test to see if BMW 'gets it'. The only car companies increasing market share and profit right now are those who engage in platform sharing to distribute development costs. Mini has been quite lucratrive for them, it'd be stupid not to drop their diesel engines in 'em.
Reply
Ken 2:41PM (3/31/2009)
I've been begging the people at MINI USA for a Cooper D for years, please, please, please let this happen.
Reply
Iceman 9:16PM (4/02/2009)
Autocar is a British magazine, right? Yawn. Wake me up when BMW decides to actually import a Mini D.
Reply
txdesign 3:14PM (3/31/2009)
Considering how much the price of diesel has come down this is going to be a win-win. Performance with economy. I just wish it was in the Gen1 body (R50/53).
Reply
AZZO45b 3:39PM (3/31/2009)
Fuel prices go UP & they go DOWN... Diesel is a performance & philosophy alternative (s).
1. High torque & better MPG (but when prices spike, not better MPG per $$$)
2. Better environmental, due to your better mileage & lower CO2 levels?
Benoit Cerrina 4:13AM (4/01/2009)
the diesel in the current cooper D was codeveloped by PSA and Ford not by PSA and BMW. BMW is just buying it from them. On the other hand the gas engine was indeed codeveloped by BMW and PSA (mostly BMW).
Reply
Trace 3:35PM (3/31/2009)
We are more likely to see a plutonium ammonium nitrate hydroxidepowered model that any reasonable oil burner. It will be here nextyear, next year, next year....This is America, we are not supposed to make sense.
Reply
StickShift 3:51PM (3/31/2009)
The problem I see with a diesel MINI is cost - they're expensive cars as is. Adding a diesel option would make it worse.
Reply
Tomac 4:09PM (3/31/2009)
Any car that starts at less than $20K cannot be considered "expensive". The average new-car purchase is about $30K these days. I'd pony up for a diesel regardless.
StickShift 4:21PM (3/31/2009)
MINIs certainly start out cheap, but add an automatic and some options and suddenly the price adds up. If you want a Clubman or an S model (or both) $30K doesn't take long to reach.
I suppose I'd rather have a diesel in something more plebeian, such as a Civic, Mazda3 or Jetta.
AZZO45b 8:55PM (3/31/2009)
My '04 Cooper S cost me $23K... that's pricy? (Sold it at a nice price too)
Doogs 4:02PM (3/31/2009)
How do we know this isn't for the forthcoming Crossover (which, correct me if I'm wrong, shares a number of bits with the 1-Series)?
Also, much as I love this news, I'm sick to death of being teased about all the awesome diesels available in Europe. I love the 123d. I love the idea of that engine finding its way into a Mini. But they're not coming over here, and more than likely never will.
Meanwhile BMW brings over the uber-pricey 335d and X5 diesel models. I'm sure in a year or two when they cancel them it'll be because of poor sales.
Small-but-solid engine in a small-but-solid car. The Jetta TDI (and I pray to god the Golf GTD) figured it out. Why can't anyone else?
Reply
Tomac 4:18PM (3/31/2009)
I sympathize, but from all I've read, diesels have a very bleak future in the U.S. I love them conceptually, though all we really have here is the VW Jetta, and after my experiences with my wife's Passat I will never, EVER, buy a VW again unless they somehow take over all other manufacturers and become the only choice. Even then, I may just ride a bike instead. Everything I read and experience suggests VW is the path to frustration and an empty wallet with regards to reliability and maintenance.
I'm also an incurable hater of FWD platforms, and there aren't any budget-priced RWD diesels out there right now. I may just have to restore a Mercedes 240D to get my fix...
sugarbelly 5:58PM (3/31/2009)
it's that easy to go fwd from rwd?
Reply
P.V. 6:33PM (3/31/2009)
Bring ALL the diesels over, BMW/Mini(/Rolls-Royce?)!
Reply
AMcA 9:36PM (3/31/2009)
I want the JCW Diesel NOW!
Reply