CAR News

2011 MINI Cooper SD

Just a few months after the market launch of the new MINIfamily and the MINI Countryman, the start of 2011 has brought anotherwave of driving fun and individuality in the premium brand’shallmark style. The MINI Cooper SD, due for launch in spring2011, will be the most powerful diesel variant yet in the MINIline-up. The new 2.0-litre engine developing 105 kW/143 hp– available for the MINI, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible andMINI Countryman – will drum up even more power yet burnextremely small amounts of fuel. Motor sport enthusiasts will welcomethe new John Cooper Works Pack option also on offer for the MINI andMINI Convertible.

Furthermore, the customary selection of personalisation optionsavailable for drivers to configure their MINI in their own image hastaken on even greater proportions. The newly developed MINI Yoursproduct range offers a host of extremely attractive customisationoptions. The first ambassador of the exclusive and innovative MINIYours style will be the MINI Clubman Hampton special edition.

MINI Cooper SD: Impressive on the power, frugal at the pumps.

The new MINI Cooper SD slots into the range above the MINIOne D with 66 kW/90 hp and MINI Cooper Ddeveloping 82 kW/112 hp as the most powerful diesel MINI.Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel unit produces maximum outputof 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm. A stand-outcharacteristic of the new diesel is its mighty pulling power, whichremains on tap even under heavy loads; maximum torque of305 Newton metres (225 lb-ft) is available between 1,750 and2,700 rpm. Add this to the excellent balance between output andfuel consumption familiar from the other models in the MINI familyplus extraordinary power development for a four-cylinder engine, andthe MINI Cooper SD has all the tools the sporty driver could ever need.

In its basic construction, the new 2.0-litre diesel fits the sametemplate as the 1.6-litre units fitted in the MINI One D and MINICooper D. Its all-aluminium crankcase helps to keep the weight ofthe engine as low as possible, while the turbocharger with variableintake geometry develops the right level of power at all enginespeeds. The engine in the MINI Cooper SD has a model-specific andextremely powerful turbocharger controlled by the engine managementsystem, while common-rail direct injection with solenoid-valveinjectors positioned centrally in the cylinder head ensure that thefuel is fed in extremely precisely and efficiently. The injectionsystem works with maximum pressure of 1,600 bar and ensuresoptimum mixture preparation in the combustion chamber.

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

To ensure that its emissions are as clean as possible, the MINICooper SD is fitted with a diesel particulate filter and anoxidation catalytic converter. No extra injections of fuel arerequired to clean the particulate filter. And, as with all currentMINI models, the new diesel variants meet the EU5 exhaust emissionsstandard. Comfort levels on the move, meanwhile, are aided by thefour-cylinder engine’s low vibrations and harmonious acousticproperties; here, the particularly sonorous soundtrack of the MINICooper SD unit when pushing on through higher revs lifts it aboveits two diesel stablemates.

The 2.0-litre powerplant demonstrates its sporting credentials in theMINI Cooper SD with acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph)in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). Thisoutstanding level of efficiency is reflected in average fuelconsumption in the EU test cycle of 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres(65.7 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions of 114 grams per kilometre. Thenew MINI Cooper SD Clubman reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from astandstill in 8.6 seconds and also has a top speed of215 km/h (134 mph). The average fuel economy of the MINICooper SD Clubman is 4.4 litres per 100 km (64.2 mpg imp), whileCO2 emissions stand at 115 g/km. The MINI Cooper SDConvertible, meanwhile, highlights its sporting potential with a 0 to100 km/h (62 mph) time of 8.7 seconds and a maximum speed of210 km/h (130 mph). Its extra dose of driving fun combines withaverage fuel consumption of 4.5 litres per 100 km (62.8 mpg imp)and CO2 emissions of 118 g/km.

In the MINI Countryman this extra-sporty diesel engine teams up witheither front-wheel drive or the all-wheel-drive system MINI ALL4. TheMINI Cooper SD Countryman sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.3seconds, the MINI Cooper SD Countryman ALL4 in 9.4 seconds,on the way to top speeds of 198 and 195 km/h (123/121 mph)respectively. The front-wheel-drive MINI Cooper SD Countryman has fueleconomy of 4.6 litres per 100 km, the all-wheel-drive variantachieves 4.9 litres per 100 km. CO2 emissions are 122 and130 grams per kilometre respectively.

The models fitted with the new diesel powerplant come as standardwith a six-speed manual gearbox, whose ratios are tuned carefully tothe engine’s performance characteristics to enable powerful andsilky smooth acceleration. A ready-to-drive weight of44.8 kilograms (98.7 lb) makes this the lightest gearbox of itskind. Added to which, it sets a new benchmark in the MINI segment withits short shift travel and impressively precise action. A six-speedautomatic gearbox will also be available from launch as an option. Itsexceptionally short shift times and direct “target gear”finding capability on downshifts also allow the automatic to enhancethe sporting character of the MINI Cooper SD. The six-speed automaticwill also be available for the MINI Cooper D, MINI Cooper DClubman, MINI Cooper D Convertible and MINI Cooper DCountryman from spring 2011. In the interests of delivering theoptimum combination of engine and gearbox, these models will also bepowered by a 2.0-litre diesel unit. This variant matches the outputand torque of the 1.6-litre engine in the model variants with manual gearbox.

The MINI Cooper SD also uses model-specific design features toshow off its sporting credentials. The most powerful diesel model inthe range stands out – like the flagship petrol model, the MINICooper S – with its extra-large air intake in the frontapron and an air scoop on the bonnet. Like the MINI Cooper S, italso displays its model identity in its side indicator surrounds (inits case with “SD” lettering) and has twin tailpipespositioned in the centre of the rear apron. The MINI Cooper SD,MINI Cooper SD Clubman and MINI Cooper SD Countryman alsocome with an eye-catching roof spoiler.