Automotive

New Mini Cooper SD – the most powerful diesel Mini ever

New Mini Cooper SD – the most powerful diesel Mini ever
The Mini Cooper SD twin-turbo diesel
The Mini Cooper SD twin-turbo diesel
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The Mini Cooper SD twin-turbo diesel
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The Mini Cooper SD twin-turbo diesel
The Mini Cooper SD sports a hood scoop, big fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a set of twin central tailpipes at the rear
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The Mini Cooper SD sports a hood scoop, big fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a set of twin central tailpipes at the rear
The Mini Cooper SD features 17-inch alloy wheels
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The Mini Cooper SD features 17-inch alloy wheels
Note that there is only an "S" badge on the Mini's grille, but a full "SD" badge on its rear
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Note that there is only an "S" badge on the Mini's grille, but a full "SD" badge on its rear
Note that there is only an "S" badge on the Mini's grille, but a full "SD" badge on its rear
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Note that there is only an "S" badge on the Mini's grille, but a full "SD" badge on its rear
The Mini's diesel engine produces a professed 280 lb.ft (360 Nm) of torque at just 1500 rpm
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The Mini's diesel engine produces a professed 280 lb.ft (360 Nm) of torque at just 1500 rpm
Given the Mini's sporty nature, one can only assume that the rear is mostly what the designers expected everyone to see
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Given the Mini's sporty nature, one can only assume that the rear is mostly what the designers expected everyone to see
The Mini Cooper SD sports a hood scoop, big fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a set of twin central tailpipes at the rear
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The Mini Cooper SD sports a hood scoop, big fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a set of twin central tailpipes at the rear
With a 170 hp (125 kW) twin-turbo diesel, the Mini Cooper SD is the most powerful diesel Mini has ever produced
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With a 170 hp (125 kW) twin-turbo diesel, the Mini Cooper SD is the most powerful diesel Mini has ever produced
View gallery - 9 images

The new Mini Cooper SD twin-turbo diesel has just been revealed. With 170 hp (125 kW) and a 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h) time of just 7.2 seconds with the optional 6-speed Steptronic transmission, the SD promises to be the fastest and most powerful diesel-powered Mini ever produced.

Built at the British Mini plant in Oxford, England, the Cooper SD sports a hood scoop, big fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a set of twin central tailpipes at the rear. It also wears the traditional sporting livery associated with Minis of old; twin white stripes on the hood and the option of racing green paint for the body.

With the help of variable turbine geometry and common rail injection with electromagnetic valve injectors, the Mini's 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine produces a professed 280 lb.ft (360 Nm) of torque at just 1,500 rpm. Yet the Cooper SD manages a claimed average fuel consumption of 4.0 - 4.1 L/100 km (57.3 - 58.8 mpg US / 68.9 - 70.6 mpg UK).

Building on an increasingly long heritage of new-era Minis and, in particular, sporting variants of the "S" and "SD" models, the new Mini SD features brake energy regeneration, an auto Start/Stop function, and electric power steering.

Keen-eyed readers will also note that there is only an "S" badge on the Mini's grille, but a full "SD" badge on its rear. Given the Mini's sporty nature, one can only assume that the rear is mostly what the designers expected everyone to see at the local traffic lights grand prix.

Whatever the reason, the new Mini SD promises to be quite a peppy little car with great fuel economy. And, if previous models are anything to go by, a popular one too.

Source: BMW

View gallery - 9 images
9 comments
9 comments
BeWalt
...never to be seen on north american roads, since this place is firmly in the grip of the oil mafia.
Ed Yee
The German Car companies have been bringing in more diesel cars. Mercedes has been bringing in diesel cars all along. Who would have thought Audi, BMW and Porsche have diesel cars in their line up here in the States a few years ago? 57.3 - 58.8 mpg US is great mileage. I think BMW mostly likely would bring this one here.
BigGoofyGuy
I think it is one cool little diesel. I think it being turbor charged makes even cooler.
I am hoping that it will inspire Mercedes to bring a Smart diesel to the USA. It would be neat with a turbor. I read that a turbo charged diesel Smart car won the Cannonball Run in Europe one year. It is like the 'turtle and the hare' story but with cars.
pmshah
I remember those days when diesel engines required heater plugs to even start. Probably no more. Wonder what the rear seat / trunk combo is like. If it is anything like in Italian Job it would come in real handy.
Bob
I've only driven one Mini. I liked everything about the car except the heavy clutch and awkward shifting 6-speed transmission. Even with the turbo it was slow compared to the little Metro turbo I drove a few years ago. People seem to forget that we had some better performing cars 25 years ago. If GM's quadfour and Ford's Escort diesel were more refined we would be much farther ahead than we are now.
Don Duncan
I think I just solved a mystery. It just occurred to me that the reason why we don't have economical cars like other parts of the world is govt. regulation influenced by the oil industry. At least I hope it's greedy oil. Consider the alternative: auto regulatory bureauRATS are incompetent.
In the early '70s my uncle made a good living installing carbs on vehicles that allowed them to run on CG or gas. He converted the entire 7up fleet in the bay area. And the change paid for itself quickly for individuals. One big side benefit was engine longevity. Instead of the engine needing a rebuild or replacement from carbon buildup, it would last 3-4 times longer.
So why didn't the Big 3 (now the Little 3) sell cars that ran on CG? It was cheaper than gas then, less polluting, and caused less engine wear. Now it's replacing coal with half the pollution. And still not in cars? Whatever the reason for the regulation/taxation we lose. I propose we stop govt. from controlling products/services and let the market decide.
viffer
pmshah: Yes, they still need glowplugs, but typically with a common-rail diesel with electronic injection, they are only heated for a half second at most, so for all intents and purposes, startup is the same as a non-diesel vehicle.
Gregg Eshelman
If the 2 door is the SD, is the 4 door the SDHC and the stretch limo version the SDXC? ;-)
nutcase
I would buy a motorcycle powered by this engine ! ! !