MINI succumbs to the green labels trend and introduces MINIMALISM
BMW has announced a new green label for MINI cars. It's called, wait for it, MINIMALISM. Similar to many other eco labels in other European markets, MINIMALISM can be found on cars that would otherwise be the base model with a few additional improvements that reduce fuel consumption. The first MINI MINIMALISM is nothing but a Mini Cooper D with a PSA-sourced 1.6-liter diesel engine good for 110hp. BMW also applied the complete array of techniques - longer gear ratios, a Stop & Start system, a gear change indicator, improved aerodynamics, low-rolling resistance tires and and an electric oil pump - to lower fuel consumption down to 3.9 l/100 km and get this MINI to emit jsut 104 g/km of CO2, just 3 above the new Honda Insight. The brand has been just released in France, a place where most of the MINI models already qualify for the Government's premium for cleaner cars.
[Source: MINI France]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
realistic_idealist 6:09PM (1/24/2009)
can't wait for the MINIVAN
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Red 6:32PM (1/24/2009)
That got a genuine chuckle out of me. Thank you. lol
Mirko 11:23AM (1/25/2009)
"to lower fuel consumption down to 3.9 l/100 km"
The Cooper D has been rated at 3.9 l/100km since it's introduction. Where's the news?
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noz 2:12PM (1/25/2009)
I have to say when I test drove one of these Coopers, it had one of the raunchiest, most potent smelling exhaust fumes at start up of any car I've come across.
Don't get me wrong, I don't stick my nose in a car's exhaust and smell its exhaust when starting it up, but man...I had to back up the car after starting up the Mini and it smelled like completely unburned fuel.
I don't know how it gets such low emissions...but I guess it does. I wonder what its other particulate emissions are like...
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Oli4k 7:49AM (1/26/2009)
@noz I drive a Mini Cooper – and although I never stick my nose in my own exhaust with the engine running – I never get complaints about the fumes. Maybe something was wrong with the specific model you drove.
"BMW also applied the complete array of techniques - longer gear ratios, a Stop & Start system, a gear change indicator, improved aerodynamics, low-rolling resistance tires and and an electric oil pump"
That's standard on all 2nd gen Mini's since BMW introduced them 2 1/2 years ago. And don't forget the 6 gear manual gearbox btw.
noz 1:14PM (1/26/2009)
Don't there was...it was brand new. Ran well. Just the startup..