DieselDrive - Mini Cooper special and diesel editions

MINI gets new diesel, special editions The popular MINI brand has been drawing mixed emotions over the past year or so with a flurry of new models, variants, shapes, sizes and doors on offer from a brand which prides itself on representing individuality. MINI’s plans for 2011 expands on this precept by offering some new performance and style options and a completely revamped diesel range.

Overseas, a diesel MINI is nothing new, with both the MINI One D (which developed a rather small 66kW) and the MINI Cooper D (with a more useful 82kW) on sale for a number of years already. However, MINIs with their new “Cooper SD” badge will sport a new 2.0-litre engine with a much more useful 105kW and 305Nm. This is a good 15kW more than a petrol Cooper and, while 30kW down against the petrol Cooper S, that torque is going to make it as much a MINI as any other. Efficiency and economy will not be sacrificed on the Cooper SD and neither will MINI’s legendary sporty handling characteristics. The new engine will be implanted into a wide variety of the range, including the baseline MINI, the Clubman, the Convertible and their most recent offspring, the MINI Countryman.

In its basic construction, the new 2.0-litre diesel fits the same template as the 1.6-litre units fitted in the MINI One D and 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 SD also has a particulate filter and an oxidation catalytic converter and, as with all current MINI models, meet the EU5 exhaust emissions standard. Comfort levels have been given attention as well and the SD is delivers low engine vibrations with a smooth, harmonious sound, rather than any diesel chatter, especially sonorous when pushing on through higher revs.

The Cooper SD will go from 0 to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 215km/h, but the real magic is that it still achieves an outstanding 4.3-litres/100km and carbon emissions of just 114g/km. The Cooper SD Clubman reaches the same top speed but will take half a second longer to reach 100km/h and needs 4.4litres/100km (115g/km). The Cooper SD Convertible will get you to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds on to 210km/h, at 4.5litres/100km and 118g/km.

In the MINI Countryman, the SD engine is mated to either a front-wheel drive or ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. In 2WD guise, the Countryman will do the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.3 seconds while adding ALL4 to your specification will also add 0.1 seconds to that time. Both hover around the 198km/h top-end mark. The front-wheel-drive Cooper SD Countryman has fuel economy of 4.6-litres/100km, with the ALL4 variant at 4.9-litres/100km. Carbon emissions are 122g/km and 130g/km respectively.

The models fitted with the new diesel powerplant come as standard with a six-speed manual short-shift gearbox (redesigned specifically for the SD and weighing under 49kg) with ratios tuned to the engine’s performance and torque characteristics to deliver usable power and smooth acceleration. A six-speed automatic gearbox will also be available as an option, with exceptionally short shift times and direct “target gear” finding capability on downshifts which should see the auto box not dulling the widely appreciated MINI sporty driving experience on the Cooper SD. The same auto ‘box will also be available for all the MINI Cooper D variants from the launch of the Cooper SD around April 2011. More interestingly than that however, is that these “older” diesel variants will be outfitted with the same SD 2.0-litre engine, but in detuned format (presumably delivering even better fuel economy) which will match the output and torque of the original 1.6-litre engine. It’s an interesting path, but MINI have stated that the form factor of the new 2.0-litre SD engine is very similar to the 1.6-litre’s, so the transition and extended options it presents makes sense on many counts.

The MINI Cooper SD also uses model-specific design features to show off its sporting credentials, and the fact that it uses the new powerplant. It will feature an extra-large air intake in the front apron and an air scoop on the bonnet. Like the MINI Cooper S, it also displays its model identity in its side indicator surrounds (in its case with “SD” lettering), has twin tailpipes positioned in the centre of the rear apron, and all SD variants will also come with a roof spoiler. According to Edward Makwana, manager of automotive communications at BMW South Africa, the SD powerplant has not yet been confirmed for the South African market, which – in our opinion – is sad news.

The John Cooper Works Pack has now been developed for the MINI and MINI Convertible, offering components that give the cars a boost in both the power and style departments. The black border around the lower part of the body has a centrally positioned indentation in front and rear, the inner section of the surrounds for the positioning lights or foglamps on the outer edges of the front apron feature horizontal slats, and the radiator grille has the same honeycomb structure as the lower air intake. The familiar side skirts curve inwards and have the neat little styled opening at the rear, and the rear apron includes prominent cut-outs at its outer edges which mimic the appearance of the positioning light and foglamp surrounds integrated into the front apron. The special door entry strips, red manual-shift gearknob lettering, cross stitched red leather gear/handbrake gaiter and leather sports steering wheel also with red contrast stitching brings the JCW flavour inside leather gaiter with red contrast stitching.

JCW MINIs also feature 17-inch light-alloy wheels in bespoke JCW design (an 18-inch black version with red pin striping is also on its way), along with DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) added to the standard DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control), to keep traction and handling top-notch. DTC raises the intervention thresholds of the stability control technology, making it easier to pull away on loose sand or snow, as well as attempt enthusiastic cornering techniques, with a degree of controllable wheel spin. In tight corners, the red-painted JCW brake callipers act on a spinning driven wheel as required to enhance the car’s traction without adversely affecting its self-steering properties, i.e. hooligan apex fun for all.

However, to really get the most of all this, you want the optional bolt-on JCW Tuning Kit, which fiddles with the ECU and turbo, adds a sporty tuned exhaust, and tweaks the intake components to raise output to 147kW and 250Nm (270Nm with the overboost function), making it good for a 6.8 second 0-100km/h dash and 234km/h top speed – without affecting your MINI warranty.

The John Cooper Works options are available for all engine variants of the MINI and MINI Convertible and can be combined with eight body colours. The aerodynamics package (exterior components only) included as part of the John Cooper Works Pack can also be ordered on its own for the MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Convertible.

Lastly, MINI have broadened their personalisation sweep with their “MINI Yours” range of customisation choices.

While we are familiar with custom paint finishes, contrasting roof colours, funky wing mirror caps and similar expressions of individuality by MINI owners on our roads, MINI Yours extends the options list with some unusual paint finishes, contrasting upholstery and interior colours, and some restyled equipment packages.

Mini have handpicked some of these options and applied them to a Clubman to create a version they will make available as the “MINI Clubman Hampton Edition” (I can see UK buyers shuddering at the thought…). The body is painted in Reef Blue metallic paint (bespoke to the Hampton), while the roof and surrounds are silver, as are the wheels and colour accents. Pepper White, Midnight Black and Eclipse Grey are also available as exterior colour options, with Black or Reef Blue as contrast colours for the roof and C-pillars. The alloy wheels can also be ordered in black with a dark red trim ring. The headlights come with black reflectors if the optional xenon units are specified, and “MINI 50 Hampton” lettering on the door entry strips references the emergence of the original reworked Mini Clubman some 50 years ago. “Hampton” lettering on the front grille and indicator surrounds, and a logo on the B-pillars, further let everyone know that you own a horse and don’t mingle with the proletariat.

Inside, the Hampton features the letter “H” on the seat tags, red edging and orange contrast stitching on the black leather seats, and an anthracite-coloured roof liner which matches the likewise anthracite dials of the rev counter, as well as the centrally- mounted speedometer with matt dark red surrounding ring. You can even add MINI’s Chilli Pack for a sports leather steering wheel, foglamps, automatic climate control, on-board computer, light and storage package, and styled velour floor mats.

The Hampton will only be produced as a special-edition option across the range for one year, so rush out and order your (deep breath) MINI Cooper Clubman SD Hampton Edition Chilli Pack” today, because it will be available to South Africa from March 2011, except it will be called the “Sandton Edition”. No not really, but wouldn’t that be great?

- Kevin Willemse