Fisker, 2013 Lexus ES, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport...
News
Reviews
Guides
Gas Mileage
Car Types

MINI Cooper Diesels May Be U.S. Bound: Report

 
1,099 views Jan 27, 2012

The MINI Cooper SD diesel

The MINI Cooper SD diesel

Enlarge Photo

Contrary to the myth that U.S. buyers don’t want diesels, MINI head Dr. Kay Segler reports that diesel MINI models are the most common request from its U.S. customers.

Segler told Car and Driver that, “We’re delighted to hear it,” before confirming that the brand is seriously looking into the possibility of importing diesels into the United States.

Don’t expect this to happen with the current, second-generation MINIs, since Segler admits that U.S. diesel models are a “medium term” consideration, not a short term one.

If that sounds vaguely ambiguous, there’s probably a good reason for it. At the moment, emission standards for diesel passenger cars differ between the U.S. and the E.U., but that changes in 2014 when the E.U. adopts the current (stricter) U.S. standard.

The MINI Cooper SD diesel

The MINI Cooper SD diesel

Enlarge Photo

It’s not economical for manufacturers to certify diesels just for the U.S. market, especially when they won’t sell in the same volume as gasoline-powered equivalents. That changes in 2014, which is why we expect to see more diesel options in the future.

The MINI diesel sold in Europe is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbodiesel that produces 143 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. In European cycle testing, which can be up to 20 percent optimistic, the car yields fuel economy of 54.7 mpg.

The MINI Cooper SD diesel

The MINI Cooper SD diesel

Enlarge Photo

That’s a pretty significant gain over the 37 mpg highway achieved by the current MINI fuel economy champs, the base MINI Cooper and the MINI Cooper Coupe.

We’re big fans of diesel motors, and are confident the diesel MINI would sell well in the United States. We don’t expect to see it any sooner than 2014, but it sounds like the car will be worth the wait.

+++++++++++

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.





Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Comments (3)

  1. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 1/27/2012 8:13am PST

    The 54.7 mpg Diesel Euro vs 37 mpg gasoline USA is a really misleading apple and orange comparison.

    Are there Euro numbers for both the Diesel and Gasoline Mini's? that would be a more apples to apples comparison.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

     

  2. Ernst avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 1/27/2012 10:14am PST

    @John, MINI rates the gas-powered Cooper at 6.1 liters per 100km combined in the EU, which translates to 38.6 mpg. The EPA says to expect 32 mpg combined, which is roughly the 20 percent difference cited in the article.

    Obviously, no EPA data on the MINI diesel is available.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

     

  3. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 1/27/2012 12:14pm PST

    Thanks for the added info. These are impressive claims, but it seems like there is more to this than just diesel including the addition of start/stop technology, a detachable alternator, and electronic power steering, for the diesel version. Still impressive.

    Researching the Euro combined numbers I found.

    Mini 43.5 mpg (US) 129 g/km
    Mini D 60.3 mpg (US) 104 g/km
    Prius 54.7 mpg (US) 104 g/km
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Find Green Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
Green Car Reports
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 Green Car Reports. All Rights Reserved. Green Car Reports is published by High Gear Media. Send us feedback.