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The entire Mini range will receive technical revisions this August, intended to dramatically improve economy and emissions.
The most significant improvements will be on the Mini Cooper D. BMW is turning this diesel-powered supermini into an even more frugal climate champion's favourite with Prius-trumping environmental credentials, such as a combined fuel consumption of 72.4mpg and CO2 emissions of just 104g/km.
Economy on the petrol-driven Minis will be improved by up to 4.7mpg, and carbon emissions by as much as 15g/km.
BMW is achieving this by applying its Efficient Dynamics technology to the Mini, which is already available in the recently revised BMW 118d, reviewed here. Technical features which have made it into the Minis include the automatic engine stop-start feature that switches off the motor when the vehicle is static, and then starts it again just before you move off.
Even more impressive is the brake energy regeneration function. This system reduces the demands made on the engine by a standard alternator by storing the power otherwise wasted under braking and using it to start the engine and run the ancilliaries, thereby saving fuel.
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