MiniCooper SD gets 54.7 mpg (US) and goes 134 mph..

[Fumesucker]

Mini clearly demonstrates that you don't have to give up driving fun and even the creature comforts to have an efficient car, this thing actually gets slightly better mileage and is faster than my motorcycle.

http://www.gizmag.com/the-new-mini-cooper-sd-d-for-diesel/17773/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=ec26a28975-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

The MINI Cooper S name first graced the classic Mini back in 1963 and during the ensuing half century it has represented the ultimate performance Mini, having won the Monte Carlo rally three times plus countless other races and rallies around the globe. Now for the first time there’s a diesel version too – though not as fire-breathing as the petrol Cooper S, the SD’s 2.0-litre turbodiesel four produces 143 bhp at 4,000 rpm, and an almighty torque figure of 305 Nm (225 lb-ft) from 1,750 to 2,700 rpm endowing it with rapid acceleration all the way to its top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). It’s the ecologically balanced nature of the pocket rocket which appeals most though, as despite this performance, it’ll return EU test cycle figures of 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres (65.7 mpg imp) with CO2 emissions of 114 grams per kilometre. The Cooper SD will debut in Geneva in March and hit showrooms in Q2.

The new 2.0-litre diesel fits the same template as the 1.6-litre units fitted in the MINI One D and MINI Cooper D. Its all-aluminium crankcase helps to keep the weight of the engine as low as possible, while the turbocharger with variable intake geometry develops the right level of power at all engine speeds. The engine in the MINI Cooper SD has a model-specific and extremely powerful turbocharger controlled by the engine management system, while common-rail direct injection with solenoid-valve injectors positioned centrally in the cylinder head ensure that the fuel is fed in extremely precisely and efficiently. The injection system works with maximum pressure of 1,600 bar and ensures optimum mixture preparation in the combustion chamber.

The new MINI Cooper SD is also fitted as standard with an extensive range of MINIMALISM technology. In addition to the engine’s efficiency, features such as Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start/Stop function, Shift Point Display, Electric Power Steering and the need-based operation of ancillary components help to produce outstanding fuel economy for this output class.

<...>

The new diesel powerplant come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox with short travel gear lever and what Mini claims is an impressively precise action, with ratios tuned carefully to the engine’s performance characteristics to enable powerful and silky smooth acceleration. A six-speed automatic gearbox will also be available from launch as an option. Its exceptionally short shift times and direct “target gear” finding capability on downshifts also allow the automatic to enhance the sporting character of the MINI Cooper SD.



More at the link.

[SidDithers]

1. But not at the same time...

:)

Sid

[Fumesucker]

3. Probably get better mileage than an F150 EPA # even if you went 134 mph..

The F150 being the most popular vehicle in America.

:evilgrin:

[SidDithers]

7. North America needs more diesel options...

I've got a friend who has a Jetta TDI, and gets great gas mileage. It's a fun little car to drive too.

Sid

[CreekDog]

4. !

:rofl:

[LibertyLover]

2. I loved my Mini Cooper S, but damn

that car looks like a winner too.

[csziggy]

5. Some thoughts on Mini Coopers

First, I could park one in the back of my Suburban. A Mini Cooper could not pull my horse trailer empty, much less with four horses in it. My mental image is something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Xygo2054Q

When I saw "MiniCooper SD" my first thought was it was a memory card and it took a minute for the "54.7 mpg (US) and goes 134 mph." to make sense. :rofl:


Last, if hubby would be comfortable driving one, it would be a great second car for us that would save us a lot for his commuting.

[Fumesucker]

6. Not all that many people actually have a horse trailer..

And those who do don't generally pull them with a MiniCooper, SD or otherwise..

Problem solved. ;)

Some people like driving a small, agile and powerful car while others hate it, a lot of people who enjoy sporting motorcycles like small fast cars too..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TshFWSsrn8

[csziggy]

9. I know, and Mini Coopers are great for commuting

I'm not sure I could get up out of one, though. My knees prefer getting down out of the truck. But it would be lovely to have a vehicle that gets better than 20 mpg. The Suburban has it uses, but economic mileage is not one of them - I think at best it gets 14 mpg.

I just can't help looking at cars and trucks through the lens of the needs I have had for so many years - hauling horses and farm work.

[Fumesucker]

11. I was driving an Expedition with a 5.4 and a towing package when gas was $4.00 a gallon or more..

I learned how to eke out the very best gas mileage from that thing, drive it carelessly and it got 11 mpg, careful made it over 18 mpg and sometimes over 20.

We all see the world through the lens of our experiences and needs..

[Dappleganger]

20. How do you do that?

My husband's daily driver is a F150XT 2001 (and he swears he'll never go back to a tiny car because of the leg room, he's 6'5").

[Fumesucker]

29. It's called hypermiling..

There's a lot of different techniques but the biggest thing is to conserve forward momentum, drive in such a manner that you hardly ever use the brake pedal is the easiest way to put it, every time you hit the brakes you're wasting energy that has to come from your fuel..

The Expedition I was driving had a real-time mpg gauge in it and I read up on how to conserve fuel and then practiced and learned how to do it, the real-time gauge is a major help in this because it shows you instantly when you're driving inefficiently.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypermiling

http://www.hypermiling.com/

http://www.gasolinecreditcards.com/ecotrekker/2008/03/04/the-ultimate-guide-to-hypermiling-100-driving-and-car-tips-and-resources/

[Dappleganger]

42. Thanks for the explanation.

Will forward those links to my husband. :)

[csziggy]

55. Yeah - my Surburban is OK for its purpose

But it spends most of the time sitting in the driveway these days. The horse business is badly depressed so we're not hauling much and since I am basically retired, I simply don't go very many places. It's not worth getting rid of it, since we do sometimes need to haul the horses places - to the vet, etc. It's ten years old with 143,000 miles on it. I expect by the time it quits, I will no longer need a truck.

[Submariner]

13. Switch to Mobil 1 oil

FYI: My Tahoe (5.7L) on an all highway drive went from a high of 17.1 to 19.4 mpg. All city driving went from a low of 13.5 to 15.5 mpg.

[leveymg]

14. I used to tow a 900 lb. tubeframe VW-powered autocross car with a '73 BMW 2002 tii.

Of course, you're more likely to see them on a trailer than pulling one these days.

[mikeytherat]

17. I had a '73 tii - Malaga over Saddle

with a factory sunroof and Behr A/C. Damn, I miss that car.

mikey_the_rat

[leveymg]

24. Mine was a rusty banger when I bought it. Cheap thrills, very grassroots.

Maisegelb yellow - never really crazy about the color. But, I learned a lot as I cut and welded and primered.

It was a very fast 4 cylinder car for its day, and on the twisties few cars could stay with it. Gutsy and loved to rev. I wish I still had it.

Used to get a lot of astonished looks when I would show up pulling a vintage D-Sports Racer behind it. Very similar to this one:

[mikeytherat]

41. Mine was in fine shape, but I sold it someone who did a total restore on her.

We called her Mags.

mikey_the_rat

[leveymg]

46. That's a nice one. I also had a Y series plate.

Did you live in Arlington or Fairfax Co.? What do you drive now?

[TeeYiYi]

50. Yay... a tii appreciation sub-thread...

http://image.motortrend.com/f/classic/roadtests/9235100+p+w472+st0/c12_0612_01l+1972_bmw_2002_tii+front_view.jpg
http://www.motortrend.com/classic/roadtests/c12_0612_1972_bmw_2002_tii/index.html

... Mine (not pictured) is a 1972, 2002 tii,... first year of the BMW fuel injected original touring car. Hence, the moniker TeeYiYi... :)

TYY

[leveymg]

51. There are all types here at DU. Like the tii, eh? Try this one:

IMHO, this is what Colorado Orange is supposed to look like. And what a pretty set of stacks, too.

[BlackHoleSon]

27. Probably my favorite

car of all time!
Last year of the round taillights right?
Had an unfortunate sudden lack of oil in my '68 - boy that was a sad day.

[leveymg]

32. No, mine had the rectangular tail lamps (damn), but that was part of the reason

it was so cheap. That car originally started life as a '74 2002 standard (I believe) and received donor parts from an earlier Tii.

Loss of oil pressure is a sudden, merciful death. Some "customizers" inflect far greater cruelty:



(Wouldn't mind the horsepower increase, but I doubt this improved the cornering). But, you've gotta love the nerf bars.

[BlackHoleSon]

34. G-damn

that is some demented genius there!

[TheMightyFavog]

35. Why? WHY???

:cry::grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :cry:

That... Is an abomination unto the car gods. Moreso than the Porsche Cayenne. Moreso than any Porsche with an automatic transmission.

[sofa king]

54. In Ireland, they're among the biggest cars on the road.

Along with Mazda Miatas. This one is among the smaller ones. It could park in the back of a Mini.

[Initech]

8. I'm still thinking of getting the Lincoln MKZ hybrid as my next vehicle.

Or Ford Fusion depending on which one I could afford.

[AlabamaLibrul]

43. I had its predecessor - the Lincoln LS.

It was horrible, I'd fix something and something else would break on it.

I don't pretend to know anything about the MKZ hybrid - so I won't comment on it.

[Initech]

44. I've heard nothing but good things about the Fusion hybrid - which the MKZ is based on.

[cherokeeprogressive]

53. I had an LS. Smoothest car I've ever owned. One breakdown.

One of the ignition coils went out. The dealer replaced all eight. Never had another issue after that.

I was sad when the model went away. I was going to buy another one.

[n2doc]

10. But will we see it for sale in the USA?

No mention of that in the article. Lots of fun, efficient cars in Europe, not many get here. And what's the price? I suspect well north of 40K. So another rich person's plaything.

[Fumesucker]

12. I've had a number of rich person's plaything when the rich person got rid of it..

The cars will eventually show up on the used market and then they'll be more accessible to the less well off person, it's foolish to buy a new car anyway.

My post really was more about pointing out that high efficiency is possible even without hybrid technology than touting this particular car.

[AngryAmish]

18. Mini's really keep their value

[Gold Metal Flake]

15. "Mini rates the Cooper SD coupe at 8.1 seconds for the sprint from 0-60 mph"

Per Motor Trend: http://wot.motortrend.com/mini-cooper-sd-big-torque-little-car-27989.html#ixzz1D0uquzzY

Not bad. I'd like to shove that 2.0 TD into my MG Midget.

[MineralMan]

16. I owned a 1959 British Mini for a couple of years.

It's 850cc engine would neither do 134 mph, nor get that kind of gas mileage. It was, however, a fun car. After a year, I wedged an 1100cc engine with twin SU carbs into it from an MG1100, added some Abarth pipes to it, and got even poorer mileage, but lots more fun. Those Minis were very minimal in creature comforts and lacked any luxury appointments like today's Mini Coopers, but what a blast they were to drive.

Another of the cars I miss, now that I'm an old fart. I created a page on my website listing all the cars I have owned, along with motorcycles and boats, each with it's own story. If you're interested:

http://www.osomin.com/mycars.htm

[Skidmore]

19. Why does any one need to go 134 mph?

Or even 90 mph for that matter? What's wrong with vehicles that go no more than 75 or 80 mph?

[LibertyLover]

21. Because on the highways I drive on

if I only did 75 or 80, even in the far right lane, I'd get run over or run off the road.

[Dappleganger]

23. Why go 90?

In some areas if you don't go at least that you'll have someone on your tail the entire ride.

[Fumesucker]

25. Because a car that will only go 75 or 80 is going to be stressed to the max on the highway..

If you had ever driven such I car I suspect you wouldn't have posted what you did. I've driven a number of large trucks that would top out at about 75 mph or so and it can be damn stressful, if the truck will only go 75 on the flat you'll be down to 35 or 40 going up steep hills.

[Skidmore]

28. This is not a truck but a small passenger car.

[Fumesucker]

31. The same concept applies..

If you only have enough power to go 75 mph on the flat you're going to be crawling up the hills, the steeper the hill the slower you go.

It's a damn stressful way to drive and it would be much worse in a small car in which you're worried about getting hit from behind.

[Marr]

33. It's about having power throughout your likely driving range.

I used to ride a motorcycle that topped out around 85. Sounds fine, until you're on the freeway doing 65 and suddenly need to get out of the way of a truck, only to find you've got next to nothing left.

[leveymg]

47. If you can't be with the one you love (that does 170+), love the one you're with.

Like these, which I got to drive at the exotic car dealership where I worked in High School, but couldn't ever afford to own:

'67 Ferrari 275 GTB - $Price then: $25,000. Price now: $1 million, plus.



And, if that's not enough to convince you, watch the movie, "Rendezvous" (French, 1979, no subtitles needed - someone strapped a stabilized Panaflex camera to the front bumper of one, and drove it through the nearly deserted streets of Paris at dawn one Sunday morning). You need to know why someone needs a car that goes 134 mph (or much faster)? Words can't explain. Watch this video with stereo headphones on, cranked up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlPfilnRDuI

[Book Lover]

48. Yeah, and why bother with garlic or salt for food?

Eat your mush; it's got vitamins enough for the likes of you.

What wrong with vehicles that only go 80 mph? Set aside all the other reasons wise-minded folks here will give you; here's mine. Because it is fun. And it is OK to have fun. You don't want to go over 80? Fantastic - don't. Me, I want to, and so I shall when it is safe to do so.

Cue wailing in 3...2...1

[Codeine]

49. I don't need to, but I sure as hell want to.

And I'll gladly pay the ticket when I get busted for it.

[Fleshdancer]

22. I love love love my MINI

I was never one to love a car before, but after getting my cooper, I'm hooked. Not having to fill up the gas tank every week is a huge plus, it's fun to drive, and it's cute. The backseat is getting a little tight for my kid though so I'm thinking about getting the four door at some point.

[Shagbark Hickory]

26. 50mpg+ is fairly commonplace in euro cars with small diesels. No need to buy a BeeMini

The regulations we have in the us, however make diesels cost prohibitive here.
They end up costing around $7000 more than they should. Case in point Jetta tdi.

[Fumesucker]

30. Regulations can (and sometimes should) be changed..

I suspect this is one of those situations where the regulations should be changed.

[Shagbark Hickory]

45. Well lots of regulations are put in place by special interests. Cough Cough .. big oil ..cough cough

[TheMightyFavog]

36. This is the one I want...

40+ MPG

Built in Illinois.

If I had the money, I'd like one in Yellow, with Wisconsin vanity plate "R-33"

[hootinholler]

37. Hmmmm, 30 Grand? That's a guess.

I would love to own a Cooper.

-Hoot

[cynatnite]

38. I'd love a minicooper...

Husband couldn't fit in it. He's a large framed guy. Ford Explorers are uncomfortable for him.

[K8-EEE]

39. I WANT ONE!!!

Everyone I know who has had one of these loves it. One great thing is that the BMW type service/warranty that comes with the car makes it very economical to maintain, according to my friend Sue.

If you make a good product you shouldn't be shy of offering a good warranty!

[grahamhgreen]

40. Now that's more like it!

[nolabear]

52. I just bought a Mini Cooper. I really, really, REALLY like it.

It only gets 37 mpg but makes up for it by being a wonderfully fun drive and taking up half the space of lots of cars. It's also quirky enough in design to appeal to me, though I do have one or two little issues. Love the technology though, and it's cute as hell.