| How to Save Money by Greener Driving |
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| Green Car
Guide |
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The Top 10 Green Cars
| Superminis |
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Diesel
3. Mini Cooper D
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Model/Engine size:
Cooper D 1.6 litre |
| Fuel: Diesel |
| Fuel economy combined: 72.4 mpg |
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Summary
When BMW relaunched the Mini name in 2001 it was hoping to recapture the spirit of the Issigonis classic without the hassle associated with actually owning one. BMW were partially successful. The Mini has been a massive sales success with over 1 million produced so far, but build quality, electrical and gearbox problems have plagued it, so can the newly revised Mini complete the package?
Apart from the reliability issues, the biggest disappointment with the BMW Mini was the engines. The Chrysler sourced units would have felt more at home in the original but were unacceptably thirsty for a modern supermini leading to embarrassingly high CO2 emissions.
The new 1.6 litre turbo diesel engine is a massive leap forward. Producing 177 lbs/ft of torque between 1750 – 2000 rpm it provides punchy in-gear acceleration and 0-60 mph in under 10 seconds. An overboost function provides extra torque for limited periods when added grunt is required.
Added to the inherent efficiency of the new engine, BMW has applied their EfficientDynamics technology to the Mini with magnificent effect. EfficientDynamics is the name that BMW gives to a group of disarmingly simple technologies which when brought together cut fuel consumption on the Mini by over 10% without affecting drivability or adding weight. In fact it is now slightly lighter than before. The interior and exterior remain virtually unchanged, which is a good thing. The Mini still feels special next to most superminis with its stylish but still useable interior and its unmistakable exterior.
The Mini remains one of the best handling superminis, and is still a style icon, but it now has a modern engine which achieves admirably low CO2 emissions and comes with a diesel particulate filter. If the build gremlins don’t make an appearance the second generation Mini surely is the complete package. |
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| Fuel economy extra urban: 80.7mpg |
| Fuel economy urban: 60.1mpg |
| CO2 emissions: 104 g/km |
| Green rating: VED band B - £35 |
| Weight: 1165 Kg |
| Company car tax liability (2007): 18% |
| Price: £14,190 (From £11,625 to £17,995) |
| Insurance group: 8 |
| Safety: NCAP N/A |
| Max speed: 121 mph |
| 0-60mph: 9.9 seconds |
| DPF: Yes |
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