Mini Cooper D Shows How It's Done
Trust MINI. With all the talk of miniscule electric cars and hybrid this-and-that, local MINI Cooper D owners will on average spend just $15 per week on fuel and enjoy all of the fun you get driving a MINI.
With average fuel consumption of 3.9l/100kms, until the arrival of Ford's Fiesta ECOnetic (3.7l/100kms), the MINI Cooper D was Australia's most fuel efficient car.
What You Get
Looking at those figures another way, with its 40-litre fuel tank, a MINI Cooper D has a maximum range between refills of 1,025kms - that's comfortably further than Melbourne to Sydney and more like Melbourne to Newcastle.
It's even more impressive after you've driven one - as we just have here at Car Showroom.
This is no stripped-out, lightweight, boring, miserable fuel-miser - this is a MINI with the extensive list of features and glorious driving dynamics you expect from a MINI.
Under The Hood
Power comes from a BMW-sourced 1.6-litre four-cylinder common rail turbo-diesel. The turbocharger was developed specifically for this vehicle and features variable turbine geometry, while the common rail direct injection delivers fuel at 1,600 bar.
Maximum power is 80kW and peak torque of 240Nm is delivered between 1,750rpm and 2,000rpm with 70 per cent available from as low as 1,750rpm. For rapid overtaking, if the driver floors the accelerator, the Cooper D provides an 'Overboost' function which delivers an extra 20Nm of torque.
It's an alloy engine block for reduced weight - tipping the scales at just 123.5 kgs
The Cooper D is also fitted with several MINIMALISM (MINI's version of BMW EfficientDynamics) features to enhance its fuel economy. These include Auto Start Stop (manual transmission only), Brake Energy Regeneration, a Shift Point Display (shows the driver when to change gears for maximum fuel-efficiency), a drag-reducing under-body aero panel and on-demand operation of ancillaries such as Electric Power Assisted Steering, a volume flow regulated oil pump and switchable water pump.
It all adds up to a combined cycle fuel economy of 3.9l/100kms and exhaust emissions of 104g/km - figures comparable to hybrid vehicles.
Our test car drove through a slick six-speed manual transmission. The automatic option is also a six-speed.
The Interior
It's the MINI we all love…the modern take on the original interior with the over-size round central speedometer and round rev-counter mounted on the steering column. As usual, the instruments are beautifully finished with chrome trim and modern graphics.
Adjusting the thick sports steering wheel and drivers seat delivers a snug, sports car-like driving position which is just perfect for enthusiast drivers.
Operation of many functions is via retro-style chrome 'click' switches - just like the original Minis. It does require some familiarization but that's part of the charm of vehicles like this.
And - again just like the original Minis - there are some compromises. Rear seat legroom is restricted and with the rear seats in place, the boot capacity is only 160 litres (680 litres with the seats folded).
Exterior & Styling
MINI enthusiasts can immediately pick the Cooper D derivative by the larger curve on the bonnet - required to accommodate the extra induction plumbing of the turbo-diesel engine. In addition, there is a large air intake below the front bumper which has a unique patterned grille and is necessary to feed fresh air to the heat exchanger.
Otherwise it's the cute, funky new generation MINI we've grown to love.
You can customize your own MINI big-time with a raft of interior and exterior trim and colour options and the full range of factory and dealer-fit accessories are available for the Cooper D.
Like the Volkswagen New Beetle, the MINI is all about a modern interpretation of the 1960s original. At Car Showroom we reckon it's very well done - we like the cutting-edge headlights and more streamlined roof - which give contemporary efficiencies - and we like the wheel-arch flares which are true to the 1960s design.
On The Road
The MINI is a car for enthusiast drivers, even in its diesel form. Runs over our mountain road test route were absolutely astonishing with the Cooper D just as competent and razor-sharp as its petrol-engined siblings.
Ride is sporty and taut, turn-in is precise, mid-corner grip is very high and the slick six-speed and torquey turbo-diesel make for rapid acceleration out of both fast and slow corners. Naturally at the very limit there is some understeer.
It's all tremendous fun and it's quick too - the Cooper D is the fastest 1.6-litre diesel in its class, covering zero to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds.
Back in the city, the MINI was very easy to live with. The turning circle is a handy 10.7 metres and, with excellent all-round visibility, parking in tight carparks is a snack..
Challenges
Like the New Beetle, adherence to retro design does bring some compromises and for the Mini it is the restricted rear legroom and luggage capacity (rear seat in place). The youngest member of the Car Showroom team required the wheels to be removed from his stroller to load into the boot and it was a stretch and a reach to secure him in the back seat..
Verdict
For those who think diesel-powered cars and performance driving are mutually incompatible, we challenge you to take a MINI Cooper D over your favourite road and not emerge with a smile.
But it's more than driving dynamics that make the Cooper D a favourite amongst the Car Showroom team - we love the interior look, the superb trim and glorious colour palette. And while retro cars are not everyone's cup of tea, we actually like both the MINI and the New Beetle.
The Competition
Priced at $33,750 (manual) and $36,100 (auto), the MINI Cooper D is a bit of a segment-straddler (or unique - whichever way you look at it).
Volkswagen's 1.9-litre TDI New Beetle is priced at $29,400 but its driving dynamics and interior cachet are no match for the Cooper D.
If a compact Euro-diesel is your thing, a possibility could be the Peugeot 207 XT HDi - not as hip as the Cooper D but priced at $28,990.
Or, for those chasing quirky style, the Kia Soul is worth a look - the 1.6-litre diesel starts at $26,690 and it has more interior space than the Cooper D…but doesn't match the MINI for performance and refinement.
Likes
Style - wow!; Interior - double-wow!!; driving dynamics - triple wow!!!
Dislikes
Cramped rear seat; Restricted boot space
