2009 MINI Cooper D Coming To Australia

If you still doubt the amazing efficiency that can be extracted from the modern diesel, then read on, as the MINI Cooper D is coming to Australia and it’s staking out some big claims;

• 3.9-litres per 100 km
• Australia’s cleanest car: 104 g/km CO2
• 240Nm of torque with 260Nm available during 'overboost'
• Fastest accelerating diesel in its capacity class in Australia

Sounds like the best of all worlds.

MINI claims that when the Cooper D arrives in Australia it will “reset the emissions benchmark for a sporting passenger car” . And the story doesn’t stop there.

MINI also claims that the Cooper D “produces fewer CO2 emissions than hybrid cars on sale in Australia, yet provides very perky performance from its 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine” .

The MINI Cooper D achieves these amazingly frugal figures with the assistance of a number of MINIMALISM features (MINI’s version of BMW EfficientDynamics), including an Auto Start-Stop function, that switches the engine off when the Cooper D is stationary, to conserve fuel.

The Cooper D’s MINIMALISM arsenal also includes Brake Energy Regeneration, (previously only available on the BMW M3), and a Shift Point Display that prompts the driver to make upshifts at the most economical time.

The MINI Cooper D also employs a streamlined underbody aerodynamic panel to reduce drag, and on-demand functioning ancillaries, such as Electric Power Assisted Steering, a switchable water pump, and volume-flow regulated oil pump.

The frugal 1.6 litre four-cylinder turbo-charged diesel features common rail direct injection (operating at 1,600 bar) and a turbocharger that uses variable turbine geometry to produce 80kW and a robust 240Nm of torque between 1,750 rpm and 2,000 rpm, 70 percent of which is available at just 1,250 rpm. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, with a six-speed auto available as an option.

In the spirit of the MINI Cooper S engines, the lightweight (123.5 kg) MINI Cooper D engine also offers a torque 'overboost' feature, which momentarily increases the available torque from 240Nm to 260Nm, when the accelerator is fully depressed.

The Cooper D’s diesel multiple-injection system and optimised combustion chambers ensure that combustion turbulence is reduced and a smooth and consistent combustion process is maintained. This extremely precise fuel injection process minimises both fuel consumption and emissions from the start, with the help of a Euro 4 compliant exhaust particulates filter.

Not content with being amazingly frugal and clean, MINI says that the Cooper D, “is the fastest accelerating 1.6-litre diesel powered car in the class in Australia” and that it is capable of travelling from Sydney to Melbourne on a 40 litre tank of fuel.

You’ll be able to pick the MINI Cooper D Hardtop on the street as it sports a more muscular curve to the power dome on the bonnet to accommodate larger induction plumbing-work and features a large intake below the bumper, required to feed air to the heat exchanger. There is also a unique patterned grille that is bisected by a slim, body-coloured bar.

As with all MINI models, MINI Cooper D customers will be able to order their car just how they like it, with a large choice of interior and exterior trim and colour options. The full range of MINI factory and dealer-fit accessories will also be available.

Full specification and pricing information will be announced closer to launch in 2009.