2010 MINI Cooper D Road Test Review

2010 MINI Cooper D Road Test Review

IT'S THE MOST ECONOMICAL car sold by parent company BMW, and one of the first in its class to utilise an economy-boosting start-stop system.

It's the MINI Cooper D; a pint-sized hatch that blends a sensible approach to fuel-efficient engineering with a generous dollop of fashionability.

The pre-facelift diesel MINI was never released into the Australian market. So, as the first oil-burning model to join the range here, does the transition to 'truck fuel' lessen or broaden the Cooper’s appeal?

Styling

Outwardly, there’s scarce evidence that the engine beneath the bonnet burns diesel. In fact, save for a black ‘Cooper D’ badge on the tailgate, a unique lower grille mesh design and a more prominent bulge on the bonnet, the diesel MINI is identical to its petrol-powered counterpart.

Styled after the classic BMC Mini, BMW has done well to preserve the original’s proportions and design cues while giving the new car its own distinct flavour.

Chrome-ringed light clusters, cutlines that mimic the classic Mini’s distinctive rain channels and a two-box shape with jellybean curves hark back to the 1960s-era original.

Modern touches include blacked-out pillars, black plastic fender-flares, a hatch (rather than the original Mini’s trapdoor-boot) and substantially larger dimensions.

The wheel-at-each-corner stance pioneered by the first Mini is carried over, and unlike that other famous retro remake, the VW New Beetle, the current-gen MINI does the spirit of its ancestor proud.

For a lower-spectrum model, the Cooper D looks pretty flash. Its basic shape will always turn heads, but the ample application of brightwork on the front grille, lamp clusters, door handles and beltline trim give it a classy air.

A set of 15-inch alloys are the standard rim, but 16 and 17-inch rims can be optioned. As with the rest of the MINI range, the opportunities for personalisation are virtually limitless.

Our tester came with a pair of racy black bonnet stripes, foglights and a chrome exterior trim package.

Wilder graphics packages, roof spoilers, additional headlights or even the national flag of your choice emblazoned on the roof can be found on the MINI’s extensive options list. Want valve caps painted with the Union Jack? They’re on the list.

It may be small, but the Cooper D stands out for all the right reasons. “Retro” isn’t necessarily synonymous with “unimaginative”, and, visually at least, the new MINI is a fitting homage to the much-loved original.

Interior

The retro design cues continue into the cabin. Here, however, the execution is a bit 'hit and miss'.

A large central speedometer is the most obvious throwback to Minis of yore, but its placement is too far from the driver’s field of view to be properly useful. Despite being large and easily readable, checking your speed requires an unnatural movement of the eyes away from the road ahead.

The analogue speedometer also contains the radio display and trip computer controls, a layout that MINI says helps slim down the centre stack and improve legroom. Toggle switches for the power windows, foglights and door locks are arranged below the ventilation controls, and two cupholders sit at the base of the centre stack.

A tachometer is placed atop the steering column and features two inset LCD displays for the trip computer and odometer. Some models feature a digital speed readout within the tachometer, but try as we might we couldn’t get it to display on our tester.

The manually-adjusting cloth seats are comfortable and well-cushioned, but lack lateral support when cornering. Optional sport seats offer a better hold, but cost extra.

The leather-rimmed steering wheel is comfortable to hold though, and adjusts for both reach and rake. A wood-rimmed three-spoke wheel is available, and auto-equipped models can be had with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Unlike the original car, the front occupants sit quite far away from the windscreen. This delivers ample sprawling space up front, but anyone relegated to the back seat will find legroom in short supply.

Rear headroom is fine, at least, and a single cupholder and built-in armrests and storage bins mean the backseats aren’t completely uninhabitable. As the rear bench is situated between the rear wheels you’ll be rubbing shoulders with your neighbour, but they’re good enough for short hops.

Boot space measures in at 160 litres with the rear seats up. Fold the 50-50 split bench down, and that expands to 680 litres. There’s a number of tie-down points in the luggage area, and two sets of ISOFIX child restraint hardpoints are built into the rear seat squab.

Beneath the rear boot floor is an emergency tyre inflation kit – no spare is supplied.

Equipment and Features

The Cooper D ships with power windows, power mirrors, air conditioning and cruise control, along with a trip computer.

A simple single-CD AM/FM tuner is the standard audio system, however a 10-speaker Harmon Kardon premium stereo and a USB input for external music players are available as options.

Satellite navigation is also offered on the Cooper D’s option list, and resides within the centre of the giant analogue speedometer.

Bluetooth phone integration is available and was fitted to our tester, however pairing it with our own handset was a frustrating exercise.

The list of optional equipment is extensive: this includes automatic climate control, rain sensing wipers, auto-on headlamps, a sunroof, TV tuner, heated seats and xenon headlamps.

Safety equipment is good, and incorporates ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control, stability control and BMW’s cornering brake control system.