MINI to offer a common-rail Cooper
If you live in the States, the thought of a diesel-powered Mini may come as a bit of a surprise, but they've been available for a few years in Europe in the form of the Mini One D. You'll find that most reviewers are pleased with the mileage of the 1.4-liter Toyota-built diesel, but none are particularly excited about the scant 74bhp.
Enter PSA. Car Magazine is reporting that Mini will unveil a dieselized version of the more sporty Cooper powered by PSA's proven 1.6-liter HDi engine. The sparkless powerplant produces 110 horses and 180 lb-ft of torque. Car says that should be good enough for a sub-10 second run from 0-62 mph which should come in at about two seconds quicker than the current Mini One D.
The car is scheduled to make its debut at the Geneva auto show in February, though we doubt the diesel Cooper will make its way to American shores anytime soon. Maybe if we make enough noise, Mini will listen. It seemed to work with getting BMW to put a stick-shift back in the M5?
[Source: Car Magazine]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jimmy 1:27PM (11/08/2006)
Customer petitions have worked with Mini before.. recall that US Minis didn't have a rear fog lamp until customers petitioned.
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Ron Fischer 5:22PM (11/08/2006)
Add sufficient pollution controls and start-stop micro-hybrid and this could be really efficient, fun city car. A "micro" hybrid would also fit with the "mini" ethos.
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russell geister 6:19PM (11/08/2006)
wont take auto manufactures seriously until we see a biodisel hybrid,until then these b@$*@#ds are just smoke screening us
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PDXBiodiesel 7:09PM (11/08/2006)
MOTHER OF GOD I WANT ONE OF THESE!!!!
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ME 10:45AM (11/09/2006)
4. MOTHER OF GOD I WANT ONE OF THESE!!!!
Ditto!
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