Minis clean up
Mini today announced it will fit many of the Efficient Dynamics tech already seen on the 1-series to all new hatchbacks fitted with the new PSA engines. The result? A Cooper D will now emit just 104g/km of CO2 – matching the signficantly more expensive Toyota Prius. And average fuel consumption on the diesel climbs to 72.4mpg – around eight miles further than before – to beat even the petrol-electric Prius. Click ‘Next’ to read all about the technology that makes such impressive figures possible without resorting to complicated hybrid systems.
The technical lowdown
Mini is fitting the following equipment to every hatchback it sells from August: • Stop-start function to cut the engine at standstill when neutral is selected • Intelligent alternator which charges the battery only under coasting or braking; it no longer drags power for continuous charging • Gearshift indicator to advise when to change up The convertible won’t benefit from the efficiency measures, as it still uses the old Chrysler-derived 1.6, rather than the new BMW-PSA developed 1.6. The new engines are expected in the soft-top in the next couple of years, however – and they’ll probably pop up in PSA and Ford group products, too.
So I guess prices will go up even further?
Apparently not. Mini hasn’t announced firm costs yet, but we’re led to believe that they won’t go up when the first customer cars arrive in September. The full figures for the new cars are as follows: • Mini One, 128g/km (previously 138g/km), 53.3mpg (previously 49.6mpg) • Mini Cooper D, 104g/km (118g/km), 72.4mpg (64.2mpg) • Mini Cooper, 129g/km (139g/km), 52.3mpg (48.7mpg) • Mini Cooper S, 149g/km (164g/km), 45.6mpg (40.9mpg) BMW isn’t the first with stop-start technology; manufacturers have been experimenting with it for years, but we are about to see many more companies offering this technology in the coming years, as firms battle with tough new emissions laws. One analyst told CAR Online that a third of all petrol cars will have stop-start by 2012, so you’d better get used to the idea now.