The green car rulebook has just been re-written. This is the new Mini Cooper D. Only recently launched, it returned 64mpg. But it has now had the BMW ‘efficient dynamics’ treatment, and that means that the new model is now capable of an amazing 72.4mpg on the combined cycle.

Only the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion promises the same frugality with fuel, and it also matches the Mini’s CO2 emissions of just 104g/km. But there is NO other car that matches the Mini’s overall combination of amazing fuel economy, fantastic go-kart like handling, great design, refinement on the motorway, and BMW quality.

This is the ultimate sexy green car. This is a car for the city, for country roads, and for motorways. And if you find a go-kart circuit that’s not being used, try it on that too.

So how has BMW managed to transform the old Mini, with very average environmental credentials, into a green machine? Now, in addition to the recently revised engine, the new technology includes Brake Energy Regeneration, which incorporates a system that disconnects the alternator’s drag on the engine when not needed, along with a battery that recycles previously lost energy, an Auto Start-Stop Function, and a display that helps drivers choose the most economical gear.

If you’ve not driven a new Mini, then you probably can’t imagine how fantastically well this car goes round corners. Buy a Mini, and you’ll spend your life looking for routes with hundreds of bends.

If you buy a red Mini with a union jack on the roof, you’ll spend your life smiling every time you look down onto it.

And that interior. It makes you feel great every time you sit in it, and you wonder why every other car interior is so boring.

But what about the performance? Surely a car that can manage 72.4mpg on the combined cycle must be slow and dull...? Wrong again. Drive this car carefully and you CAN achieve 60mpg+. But if you want fun, the Cooper D can deliver this also.

So it’s a small car. It must be rubbish at high speeds on motorways? No again. It’s extremely refined, quiet, and very solid. If you don’t keep any eye on your speed you can find yourself going much faster than you think.

Bad points? Well, because it just begs you to drive energetically round lots of corners, you’re likely to spend at least some of the money that you’ve saved on fuel buying new tyres.

Yes it’s small. Not much spare room with four adults and bags. The forthcoming Mini Traveller should provide a bit more space for weekends away.

There will be no extra cost for the eco-improvements (the Mini Cooper D costs £14,190). However compared to other cars of this size, the Mini is expensive. But how many other cars of this size combine all the qualities of a Mini? And the Mini is one of the least depreciating cars around. With all these plus points, and 72mpg, it should INCREASE in value.

Here at Green-Car-Guide we stand for fun green cars, and we will keep working tirelessly until we have a wide range of great cars on offer that are also environmentally friendly. In our view, the Mini Cooper D, especially with the efficient dynamics treatment, is the first truly fun green car. If you agree with us and think that this Mini Cooper D is the best sexy green car yet, simply just click here to register your vote!