All posts tagged mini cooper sd

Mini Rocketman Concept pics from 2011 Geneva Motor Show

By Alison

The new Mini Rocketman Concept is live at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, displaying Mini’s latest concept car - manifesto on a lightweight, citycar model with some technological advancements. Getting a closer look, many of the design features make a lot of sense, especially with the doors for example, but overall its aesthetic hasn’t really grown on us.

The Mini Rocketman is 3.419 metres long, 1.907 metres wide and is 1.398 metres high. It’s built on a spaceframe architecture to keep weight down and which is also designed to aim for fuel consumption figures of three litres per 100 km. The Rocketman was joined at the Mini stand by the new Mini Cooper SD.

It’s equipped with a two-litre diesel engine with 143 hp and 305 Nm of torque. It also has a minimal amount of fuel consumption at 4.3 l/100 km. The Cooper SD is available across all the models, including the Countryman, Cabrio and Clubman models. See what you think of the Rocketman Concept but we’ve got a doubts about this making production, although we’ll probably see some features on future models.

Mini Rocketman Concept live from 2011 Geneva Motor Show

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Mini diesel to get BMW 1 Series engine?

By Alison

The new Mini diesel model is undergoing testing in preparation for its market debut but initial reports that the Cooper SD would appear with a BMW 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine are changing. It’s now being said that the Mini Cooper diesel will appear with a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre engine used in the BMW 1 Series range.

This alternative is said to be nearly as efficient, but offers smooth power deliver and better drive feel. It has more torque which, for a diesel model, could be important in keeping that sporty feel to the Mini. Power should be around the 143 hp mark and fuel consumption is said to be about 4.5 litres per 100 km.

The use of an existing BMW diesel engine also makes sense from a spending point of view, meaning Mini won’t have to over-invest is developing its own, dedicated powerplant. Available from September 2011, the new Mini diesel might also eventually appear on the US market, not traditionally a big consumer of diesel models.