2011 MINI Cooper SD Spied Testing

Following spy photos late last year that revealed what was believed to be a diesel-powered version of the popular MINI Cooper S, new photos obtained this week have put speculation to bed: the MINI Cooper SD is coming.

Powered by a 1.6 litre in-line four-cylinder diesel, the current Cooper D produces 80kW with the help of a little turbocharging.

With the appropriate Cooper S tweaks, the Cooper D's diesel could conceivably be expected to land with around 110-115kW on tap.

• Click to read TMR's review of the MINI Cooper D
  

As the styling tweaks in these photos show, the Cooper SD would make for an appealing alternative to the Golf GTD, which produces 125kW from its larger 2.0 litre turbodiesel.

MINI has yet to confirm or announce plans for a diesel-powered S, but if these photos prove anything, it's only a matter of time.