MINI Cooper D 2009 Review

Local Launch
Yarra Valley, Victoria

What we liked
>>Real world fuel economy that lives up to the claims
>>Midrange torque packs a punch
>>Still as fun as a petrol MINI

Not so much
>>Tyre roar
>>Stop/start takes some getting used to
>>No visual differentiation over petrol version

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 2.5/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 5.0/5.0

OVERVIEW

The initial Hardtop was followed by the Cabrio and then the Clubman and finally the John Cooper Works and each was born of that same ‘fun' philosophy.

But the introduction of the Cooper D represents a fundamental change in the MINI brand. The frugal turbodiesel will take the brand up against a new list of competitors and ask buyers to look at MINI in an entirely different way.

It says a lot about the Cooper D that for the first time in the brand's history the marketing department has opted not to use a clever tagline for the advertising. Instead of something cheeky the Cooper D ads will simply read: "Australia's Most Fuel Efficient Car." A straightforward statement that is bound to cause a stir and attract attention, especially among a new breed of potential MINI buyers.

More than being a simple and straightforward advertising line the claim is actually true with the Cooper D expected to take the top spot on the Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide besting the current leader the Smart fortwo. It will do so with the best combined fuel consumption figure (3.9L/100km) and lowest CO2 emissions (104g/km). This may be a short lived reign at the top, given Toyota's petrol Prius will match the MINI in fuel economy and better its CO2 number.

What the Prius won't compete on is F-U-N. Frugality is not the only virtue of the new Cooper D -- more than just being fuel-efficient, MINI has made sure the car has retained the brand's key elements of fun, dynamics and style.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
-- a small price to pay
MINI Australia has been very aggressive with its pricing on the Cooper D, positioning it just above the entry-level petrol Cooper on price and matching the two cars on specification. At $33,750 the diesel is an unrestrictive $2650 more than the naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre Cooper.

The standard Cooper D comes fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, 15-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, central locking, air-conditioning, six-speaker CD stereo with AUX-in jack, cloth seats and a range of safety features. The only extras the D gets over the petrol Cooper are its MINImalism features: stop-start, brake energy regeneration system and shift-point display (more on those in MECHANICAL).

MINI hasn't been shy about pointing out the Cooper D represents a saving of $3650 over the Toyota Prius. Although in fairness to Toyota that difference is reduced to $1300 when comparing the automatic Cooper D.

Like all MINIs though ,the problem with trying to pin down a price is the almost infinite amount of options to choose from but that starting price should make it a competitive and appealing option.

MECHANICAL
-- minimalism means a lot
Before looking at the much-talked about Minimalism features, the more important element in the Cooper D efficiency is the engine. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is sourced from French firm PSA and is also found in Citroen and Peugeot models.

Although with 80kW at 4000revs the diesel is 8kW down on the petrol Cooper, it makes up with 240Nm of torque at 1750revs -- an 80Nm advantage. In addition to that the Cooper D borrows the Overboost function from the Cooper S to increase torque to 260Nm momentarily on full throttle.

MINI is eager to point out too that although the engine is shared with the likes of the Peugeot 207 XT HDI, the Cooper D is the fastest accelerating diesel in its capacity class with 0-100km/h coming up in 9.9secs. In comparison, the petrol Cooper manages the same feat in 9.1secs while the Prius takes 11.6secs. [Ed: we've been told the ‘new' Prius will match the 0-100km/h sprint of the Cooper D, but that's yet to be tested independently.]

Working together with the engine are the Minimalism features; the little brand's take on BMW Efficient Dynamics. The key elements are automatic stop/start, brake regeneration, shift point display and underbody aerodynamics, although they are only part of the program.

Automatic stop/start is featured on the Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid but because of the electric motor set-up on those particular cars the technology is a very different proposition on the Cooper D. Only available with the manual transmission, the system works when the car comes to a stop, placed into neutral and the clutch is disengaged. As soon as the clutch is re-engaged the engine starts back up again.

The concept is the same as its hybrid rivals – if you're not using the engine, shut it off and stop using fuel and producing emissions. Where is differs from the hybrid is just how noticeable the feature is. Toyota hybrids use the electric motor to get the car moving again before the petrol engine takes over with an almost seamless transition between the two. Whereas the Cooper D (like the Honda) sounds and feels like it is being shut down and fired up every time.

Shift point display is a simple concept that plays a major role in helping keep the Cooper D economy in check. A small addition to the dashboard it tells the driver when to shift up or down a gear to maintain in the ideal operating band for the engine.

The Cooper D is only the second model from the Bavarian-based group to feature BMW’s Brake Energy Regeneration system; the first was the M3. Although it sounds similar in name to the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems used in Formula One this year the BMW system is actually quite different.

Strictly speaking it would be better to refer to it as a ‘smart’ or ‘active’ alternator because it only operates when needed. So when you are accelerating it is switched off but when you are coasting or braking it turns on.

The idea is to save power (and therefore fuel) by not turning the alternator all the time. The system senses what the car’s doing and loads the alternator to charge the battery and run the normal electrical systems at the most efficient time. This is quite different from a true regenerative braking system used in true hybrids where the car is braked by (effectively) generators.

Several of those auxiliary features are used only ‘on demand' in the Cooper D including the electric power-assisted steering, switchable water pump and volume/flow regulated oil pump to cut down on energy/mechanical losses when not required.

Another Minimalism feature is the Underbody Aerodynamic Panel. While the Prius and forthcoming Honda Insight have been shaped specifically to reduce drag, MINI hasn't made any exterior changes to the Cooper D. The underbody panel helps to cut the air better across the bottom of the engine.

PACKAGING
-- Can't change an icon
As just mentioned there are no changes to the packaging of the Cooper D. The only minor change is the bigger power dome on the bonnet to fit the larger induction plumbing for the turbodiesel.
 
For more see initial launch review (see here) .

SAFETY
-- Still can't change an icon
This is another area where the Cooper D matches its siblings. Standard features on the diesel match both the Cooper and Cooper S models.

Six airbags (driver, front passenger, side and curtain), anti-lock brakes with corner brake control and electronic brake force distribution, crash sensor and dynamic stability control. The only option available is dynamic traction control for an addition $300. For more detail see initial launch review.

COMPETITORS
-- The unusual suspects
This is where things get really different for MINI. In addition to the traditional style and dynamic focused rivals from Europe (a list that includes the Alfa Romeo MiTo, Peugeot 207, Renault Megane and Clio and Volkswagen Golf and Polo) there are a new list of efficiency focused contenders.

Not shying from the inevitable comparisons with the current ‘King of Green' Toyota's Prius, MINI has decided to tackle the hybrid poster child head on. The marketing campaign is the most obvious, but speaking to MINI personnel there is plenty of confidence that the Cooper D can take the Prius head-on.

It will be interesting to see how the battle between the two develops with the arrival of the new Prius in July that will match the Cooper D for fuel economy at 3.9L/100km but better it with emissions of only 89g/km.

"The key point is they won't beat us," says BMW and MINI corporate communications manager, Toni Andreevski somewhat criptically.

Then there is the Smart mhd, Fiat 500 JTD, Audi A3 TDIe Citroen C3 HDi and the forthcoming Honda Insight to make sure the Cooper D has to fight for its ‘green' sales.

ON THE ROAD
-- Nothing out of the ordinary here
Perhaps the biggest compliment you can pay the Cooper D is that it looks, feels and drives just like a MINI. Despite the attention on fuel economy and emissions it is clear that MINI has maintained the driving dynamics that give the car its heart and soul.

It still feels agile and direct in the twisty stuff and rides the bumps the same way you expect a Cooper too. But there are some differences though that while not having a significant impact on the driving experience do make the Cooper D unique.

The most obvious change is the stop/start system that because of its noticeable transitions makes you feel like you've stalled each time it kicks in. That's not to suggest its any better or worse than the hybrid systems that rely on the electric motors for smoother transitions, just that the Cooper D is different.

The one drawback to the system is that it switches off the air-conditioning which could prove frustrating in long summer traffic jams. But it's worth noting the function can be switched off via a button next to the gearshift.

Aside from that all the other Minimalism features have, well, minimal impact on the driving experience.

Given the similar pricing, a major plus the Cooper D has over petrol Cooper is its torque. The naturally-aspirated four-cylinder in the Cooper simply lacks the punch and pull it needs to be an engaging drive. In contrast the torque-heavy diesel feels more like a Cooper S with its strong performance out of the corners.

And that's not even the best part, because the Cooper D does all this while sipping fuel at an alarming abstemious rate. Across 171km of driving in a variety of conditions (including an extensive city loop) returned an economy figure of 4.6L/100km. But the truly impressive part of the performance is that it came while driving the Cooper D flat-out. It was not a slow and steady economy run but an unadulterated blast through the countryside.

That sort of real world economy is impressive enough but to do it having so much fun is nothing short of amazing. Put simply it's hard to imagine tackling the same roads in either a Prius or Civic Hybrid and having anywhere near the same amount of enjoyment.

Up until now the Cooper S was probably the best all-round performer from the MINI range with the best blend of price and performance. But the Cooper D is the new star in the MINI line-up thanks to its competitive price combined with barnstorming performance.

If this is the future of environmentally friendly motoring you can count me in!

To coincide with the launch of the Cooper D the Carsales Network is driving one across the country (more here). And from Saturday, May 23 you'll be able to visit our MINI D adventure minisite here.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi