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These are the first pictures of Mini's new range of more powerful diesels testing.
On sale next year, the range will encompass the Cooper and Clubman and will initially go on sale with a Mini hatch equipped with the 2.0-litre diesel engine from the BMW 1-series.
See the Mini Cooper and Clubman diesel spy pictures
The spy pictures clearly show the Cooper version carrying centre-mounted twin exhausts, as on the petrol Cooper S. The Clubman model has an exhaust pipe on either side of the car. The front bumper is also modified to give a sportier look.
Although these pictures show the cars carrying a non-functioning air scoop in the bonnet, our spy photographers report that they have seen versions of the car running with and without the scoop, suggesting it isn't a production certainty.
Mini’s engineers have successfully managed to fit the BMW four-cylinder engine, designed for a longitudinal application, into the Mini’s engine bay in a transverse installation. The work involved in fitting the BMW engine to the Mini was described by our source as "tricky".
The first of the new Mini diesels will have around 150bhp, similar to that of the 118d, but sources say it would also be possible to use the more powerful twin-turbo diesel from the 123d in the Mini.
That would create a Mini diesel with over 200bhp, and could form the basis for a John Cooper Works diesel Mini.
The new Mini diesels are expected to be unveiled at next year’s Geneva motor show in March, and go on sale in the summer.
Mini currently only has one diesel model, the 110bhp Cooper D, which uses an engine jointly developed with PSA.
Photos: Carpix
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