Mini diesel prices revealed

The Mini Cooper D will go on sale in May and go head-to-head against an unlikely rival; the Toyota Prius.

The Japanese hybrid has become the poster child for environmentally conscious driving while the Mini has earned a reputation for fun and style. But the Cooper D will challenge the Prius and the Smart ForTwo with fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures the lowest in the country.

Priced from $33,750 the Cooper D will undercut the $37,400 Prius by $3650 as well as targeting top spot on the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide ahead of the Smart.

Mini claims the Cooper D, which is powered by a 1.6-litre turbodiesel four, will use only 3.9L/100km and emit only 104g/km of CO2. That undercuts both the Smart and the current Prius.

What's more, Mini Australia National Manager, Justin Hocevar, claims the Cooper D will be the first car to offer "excitement" as well as economy.

"For the first time in Australia, buyers will be able to buy an extremely fuel efficient car with very low emissions, without having to sacrifice excitement and performance," Hocevar says.

"With Mini Cooper D, Australians can have their cake and eat it too."

But the story doesn't end there. The Mini will only be able to claim the efficiency and emissions crown until the new Prius arrives later this year. Due to go on sale in July the next generation Prius will reduce its consumption to 3.9L/100km to match the Mini but lower CO2 emissions of only 89g/km.

But don't expect this to be the end of the clash between these two most unlikely of rivals.