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Mini will launch a new range of more powerful diesels next year, kicking off with a Mini hatch equipped with the engine from a BMW 120d.

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".

In the test cars the engine is coupled to an automatic transmission, but ...Read the full article

 

They'll be just in time for the economic reovery then? Early April 1st? Maybe they should have a backup plan of the 52kw and 82KW HDI engines with ONE spec and sub 100CO2 ratings just in case.

 

how come it takes so long to bring out?  sounds like a great idea in theory.

 

p.s. i doubt economic recovery is going to be next year...

Good news but as 230SL intimates, the real gap in the range is the lack of a Mini One diesel since they made the diesel into a Cooper when the range was revamped a year or two back.

That gap is all the more obvious now that it's possible to order the Clubman as a One. 

Roadtester I don't see why BMW have not introduced lower models in their Mini range, they have done the 116d which appears to be liitle more than an old model 118d rebadged and stop-start added, if you look at european price lists you will see they charge less for Minis in the UK than Fiat do for 500s in Europe, surely if Mini in europe  altered there range by offering Cooper spec(sans badge and coloured roof) on a Salt with an equipment package, then further up Cooper S or D on  a Cooper Chilli without the bodykit (they could change the bumpers on current stock to protect residuals?) or diesel, this would make it easy for them to realign the range if the pound gained strength without totally wrecking residuals and the range structure.

Think the pound at the moment is a good opportunity for BMWMini to get some of the 500s limelight by offering better value. Alpologies for going off post.

Awesome, judging by the mpg they extract from this engine in the 1 series, this should be a 65mpg missile. with a sub 7 second 0 - 60 and massive in gear shove.  I won't buy one though as diesels are horrible when thrashed, which will be this cars raison d'etre. 

 

 

 There was a 40 minute queue just for cocktails in Harvey Nichols Leeds today so stop obsessing about the recession and admit. This would be an awesome steer!

 

Plus would have the ability to return 60 plus MPG and a low tax band so green issues are nailed on.

 

I reckon they are on to a winner. 

corky73:

There was a 40 minute queue just for cocktails in Harvey Nichols Leeds today

 

Sounds like pretty poor service, don't you know anywhere else to go for cocktails in Leeds? Have you tried the Radisson across from the art gallery, it was alot more pleasant and we got served straight away, though we were n't boozing ;o)

As posted already, the reason for a car like this is to wring its neck and no diesel will ever lend itself to that, certainly not a four cylinder one. And why get worked up by 60mpg? If your that bothered about money don't buy something so overpriced as a Mini, and definately not a brand new one.

Not sure if I believe this article or not.

BMW spent a lot of money developing an entire range of brand new petrol engines for the MINI in colabration with PSA. Why would they have done this if they could just borrow engines from the 1-series?

Secondly why go to the trouble of adapting the longitude RWD engine from the 1-series, when PSA have a perfectly good 2.0 diesel lump that is designed for tranverse FWD applications?

BriMarsh:

If your that bothered about money don't buy something so overpriced as a Mini, and definately not a brand new one.

Ok so BMW do charge a premium for a Mini, but the actual long term ownership costs are superb. BMW have worked some clever marketing to ensure resale values are strong (Mini TLC servicing pack for example), plus the car is simply desirable which always helps.

I don't think it would take much to put the 90bhp PSA diesel into the Mini as a OneD as both the 90bhp and 110bhp are the same engines with different tuning and turbos (I think). However BMW might be put off by the performance. Whilst the 110 is good (we have it in the Clubman) I suspect the 90 may not live up to the Mini's sporty nature. I could forgive it though if the figures stacked up (less than 100g/km CO2).

116d is a detunned current 118d 143 N47D only difference is the ECU same turbo and 1600 bar injector's and ED stuff the 177 has thre more expensive but more economical 1800 bar piezo injectors and is actually slightly more effcient than the 1600 bar version, BMW put taller gearing on 118d/318d to compensate and give better economy . As for why BMW have waited so long is due to demand, BMW diesel have been in such demand for the 1 and 3 Series and 5 Series that having the extra output for Mini has been an issue as has the engineering. With reduced sales the output is there!! The New engines are lighter and more sutitable to the mini application than the older iron M47N2.

Mini will have an excellent diesel and the twin turbo really will be class leading and make a pocket rocket with 400NM in a mini sized car will give it some verve and get on them small performance diesel bandwagon.