THE IDEA OF a performance diesel used to be something of a novelty, but these days it has become fairly commonplace. Some of the quickest cars around are wearing diesel badges and 70 per cent of buyers this year have chosen diesel cars.
It is the same story with the Mini range in Ireland. 72 per cent of all new Mini models sold here this year are powered by diesel. And that really isn’t that surprising since the existing diesel engine offered in the Mini is incredibly frugal, while still feeling punchy.
But oh how Mini has fallen from grace in terms of sales here in Ireland. In 2007 Mini sold 1,391 new cars in Ireland and that was with just the hatchback and convertible, nearly 97 per cent of which were petrol powered. Now in 2011, despite the addition of a Clubman estate and the new Countryman SUV/Estate, sales are down 65 per cent compared to the same period in 2007.
On the positive side however, they are up 46 per cent on 2010 and 48 per cent on 2009, which were catastrophic years for Mini. If ever there was a car and a brand that was a bellwether of economic confidence, the Mini is it.
Because you don’t really need any of the Mini range. There are an infinite number of cars that do the job of carrying one to five passengers in comfort and safety just as well for less money, but of course few can do it with such measured character.
Quite how the Germans managed to get an iconic retro-throwback car and brand so right must cause Volkswagen’s marketing men sleepless nights. They could only dream of having the same success with their over-bloated Beetle.
So, while the Mini range isn’t flying out of showrooms, there is a new reason to go in and try one and it is a rather good engine. BMW has transplanted the 2.0-litre diesel engine that you would find in the BMW 118d and this puts out 143bhp at 4,000rpm and that is 28 per cent more power than is in the existing Cooper D.
The new diesel bears a new badge too. It is called the Cooper SD and it features across the Mini range, in the Hatch, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman. With 305Nm of torque, it has the highest torque value of any of the Mini range, and that includes the John Cooper Works versions of the Mini.
The entire arsenal of fuel sipping measures has been added, such as Stop/Start and brake energy regeneration, as well as shift point display and electric power steering. The result is some impressive fuel economy figures and subsequently, CO2 emissions to match the car’s performance. Despite having 143bhp, the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman are all in motor tax band A with emissions of less than 120g/km, and both the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the Countryman are in band B.
We tried all versions of the new SD around the countryside of Somerset in England and they are impressive. For a start, the cars themselves get all the visual adornments of the Cooper S petrol model, with just the discreet SD badge at the rear and a slightly different noise at start-up. The cars are no less enjoyable to drive than a peppy petrol.
They wouldn’t quite convince this writer to give up the talented petrol engine that features in the Cooper S, but in other body styles, especially the Clubman and Countryman, this makes by far the best engine choice and is something of a no-brainer. There is no degradation of the car’s handling talents as a result of the new engine and, if anything, the endless torque on offer in a small package makes for a relaxing drive.
You will pay for the pleasure of these new engines. The SD in a Hatch costs €400 more than the petrol-powered Cooper S. You will save €52 per year in road tax and some on fuel too but the petrol is still better at being a hot hatch.
We are not sure if anyone buys the Clubman these days but that with this engine will cost you €27,390. Better is the Countryman, with proper doors and seats and with the 143bhp SD engine it will cost €31,140. That is probably the best use of this engine and at this price you’d be reasonably pleased with yourself.
As a step-up in performance without an environmental penalty the new SD deserves applause. The range is on sale now.
Factfile
Engine1,995cc four-cylinder petrol putting out 143bhp and 305Nm of torque
Maximum speed215km/h
0-100km/h8.1 secs
Fuel economy4.3 l/100km
CO2 emissions114g/km
Motor tax bandA
Annual road tax€102
On sale now
Price€25,910