Mini to get reworked BMW oilburner 17 | 08 | 2010
IF MINI is to fit BMW's forthcoming three-cylinder motor into its hatchback, Cabriolet and Clubman, the company will have to rework a number of the engine's ancillary components. While Mini insiders are confident — and comfortable — that the new engine will, eventually appear in the new Mini line-up, they acknowledge additional work will be required.
When the new-look, facelifted Mini gets BMW’s own 1.6-litre diesel engine this autumn, it will dip below the psychological 100g/km of CO2 emissions figure as it rises to the increasing challenge set by the Audi A1, Fiat 500 and Alfa Mito. The newcomer sees the ditching of the old PSA-sourced diesel powerplant to a smaller-capacity version of the engine already used in the BMW 116d.
Available in two specs — the 89bhp Mini One D and 110bhp Cooper D — it returns slightly improved economy of 72.4mpg and cuts CO2 emissions from 104g/km to 99g/km, making the car road tax-free under current VED rules. The Cooper D has 199lb ft between 1750rpm and 2250rpm, can reach 62mph in 9.7sec and will accelerate on to a maximum of 122mph. And for the first time, the oil-burner will be available in the drop-top model. Its CO2 performance is blunted slightly in both cars, though; it emits 103g/km in the Clubman and 104g/km in the Convertible.
The latest facelift for the Mini introduces more chrome around the front grille area, a revised front bumper designed to improve the Mini’s performance in pedestrian impact tests, and LED tail-lights on all models. The cabin also gets tweaks, including revised controls for the audio systems and air-con, new colours for seat upholstery and trim elements, and a revised stereo for all cars that offers MP3 compatibility and an aux-in connection.
Not surprisingly, the new option list for the Mini will offer customers more choice than ever. The manufacturer though but it has also put together three “design worlds”, packs of paint and roof colours, wheel design, upholstery, trim elements and other features chosen for what the firm calls “their coherent character”.