Mini Cooper SD arrives

Perhaps the surprising thing about the Cooper SD is that it has taken so long for Mini to add a performance diesel to the range. After all, it’s a tactic that parent brand BMW has successfully used for years with models such as the 123d and 335d.

Available across all body styles - including the Convertible - Cooper SD variants get a N47 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine that produces 140 bhp (105 kW / 143 PS). Based on the 1.6 litre unit already found in the One D and Cooper D, the larger capacity motor boasts 305 Nm (225 lb/ft) of torque which is available from just 1,750 rpm.



Significantly, that figure beats the 260 Nm (191 lb/ft) that the John Cooper Works versions can muster. Combined with a standard lightweight six-speed manual gearbox, the result is decent - if not seriously quick - performance.



As expected, the Cooper SD benefits from Minimalism technology, the Mini equivalent of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme. Employing features such as stop / start, gear change indication, brake energy regeneration, a diesel particulate filter and electric power steering has kept both fuel consumption and emissions impressively low.

Model	0-62 mph (100 km/h) secs	Top speed mph (km/h)	Combined cycle mpg (l/100km)	CO2 g/km
Cooper SD Hatch	8.1	134 (215)	65.7 (4.3)	114
Cooper SD Clubman	8.6	134 (215)	64.2 (4.4)	115
Cooper SD Convertible	8.7	130 (210)	62.8 (4.5)	118
Cooper SD Countryman	9.3	123 (198)	61.4 (4.6)	122
Cooper SD Countryman ALL4	9.4	121 (195)	57.6 (4.9)	130

Available as an option will be a six-speed automatic transmission. This new gearbox will also be offered in the Cooper D although, for compatibility reasons, when specified the usual 1.6 litre engine is substituted for a down-tuned version of the 2.0 litre one.



Visually, the Cooper SD borrows its styling cues from the Cooper S. These include a bonnet air scoop, centrally-mounted twin tailpipes, a roof spoiler and a larger intake below the front number plate.



Scheduled for launch in spring 2011, pricing for the Mini Cooper SD line-up has yet to be confirmed. However, it’s reckoned that in the UK Cooper SD models will cost £850 more than their Cooper S equivalents.

Related post:

Mini gets mini revamp

MINI Clubman StreetWorker by Schmidt Revolution

The MINI Clubman isn't a sight for sore eyes, but the folks at Schmidt Revolution have decided to try their luck with the Cooper XL.

Based on the Clubman S, the laughably named StreetWorker features a matt blue wrap, black accents, and 18-inch Cirrus wheels with Continental tires. Additionally, the company fitted a Streetec air suspension which can raise or lower the vehicle 40mm and 60mm, respectively.

Under the hood, the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine has been tuned to produce 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the car to hit a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).

Business Car of the Year

UK publication Business Car has announced the winners of its 2011 Awards, which were voted for by readers rather than being decided by a jury.



It was a successful haul for the BMW Group as it took top honours in six out of the thirteen vehicle categories, as well as being declared overall manufacturer of the year. Clearly desirability, solid residuals, decent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions are all attributes that continue to keep both drivers and fleet managers happy.





Business Car Awards 2011 winners



Vehicle categories



Manufacturer of the Year: BMW



Business Car of the Year: BMW 5 Series

Green Model of the Year: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics

City Car: Fiat 500

Supermini: Mini

Lower Medium: Audi A3

Upper Medium: BMW 3 Series

Executive: BMW 5 Series

Luxury: Jaguar XJ

Large 4x4: BMW X5

Small 4x4: Audi Q5

Mini-MPV: Volkswagen Touran

MPV: Ford S-MAX

Sporting Car: Audi R8



Service supplier categories



Service Supplier of the Year: Lex Autolease



Accident Management: The AA

Daily Rental: Enterprise

Fast-Fit: Kwik-Fit Fleet

Insurance: Aviva

Leasing and Fleet Management: Lex Autolease

Top 10: UK car sales 2010

Despite the car scrappage scheme ending in March, figures just published reveal that UK car sales managed to rise very slightly in 2010 compared to the previous year.



Total registrations were 2,030,846, up 1.80% on 2009’s figure. This modest growth was mainly down to increased fleet activity, particularly in the first half of the year.



However, the harsh economic climate continues, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is predicting that sales will fall by 5% in 2011.



The ten best-selling cars in the UK during 2010 were:



1. Ford Fiesta (103,013 registered)

Despite its overall sales dropping by over 36,000 to 280,364, Ford was the manufacturer that shifted the most cars in 2010. The Fiesta remained the most popular model, too, and deservedly so. A great drive, decent equipment and affordable prices make it one of the best superminis on the market.









2. Vauxhall Astra (80,646 registered)

In its first full year on sale, the sixth-generation Astra managed to out-perform its rivals, even though the range has been criticised for its prices. Overall, Vauxhall registrations were up by almost 4%, finishing the year at 247,265.









3. Ford Focus (77,804 registered)

A perennial favourite, the Focus managed to secure third place in 2010’s chart. Sales weren’t too far behind the much newer Astra, a feat that was probably helped by some healthy discounts and fleet sales. Due to be replaced by the third-generation Focus in 2011.









4. Vauxhall Corsa (77,398 registered)

The Corsa is strong on refinement and comfort, but it seems a very large number of buyers still prefer the Fiesta. It’ll be interesting to see what impact the recently introduced Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty has on 2011’s sales figures.









5. Volkswagen Golf (58,116 registered)

One of the best all-rounders on the market, it’s no great surprise to see the Golf make the top ten. Overall, Volkswagen sales were up by over 8% in 2010, with 174,655 cars registered. That was good enough to retain third place in the manufacturer league table behind Ford and Vauxhall.









6. Volkswagen Polo (45,517 registered)

Under the skin, the Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza have a lot in common with the Polo, but apparently customers are happy to shun the cheaper brands in favour of Volkswagen. Whatever the reasons for this behaviour, sixth place was a respectable result for the 2010 European Car of the Year.









7. Peugeot 207 (42,185 registered)

Another decent all-rounder, although the somewhat gawky styling and lack of image might have put some buyers off. Peugeot didn’t have a bad year with total sales up over 6% to 109,324, making it the fifth most popular manufacturer.









8. BMW 3 Series (42,020 registered)

It has become a bit trite to say that the 3 Series outperforms its mainstream rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia, but the fact is it does. Overall, BMW achieved 109,418 sales in 2010, an increase of nearly 11% that gave it fourth spot in the manufacturer table. A premium brand, but no longer exclusive?









9. Mini Hatchback (41,883 registered)

A fantastic image, low emissions, that terrific chassis and extremely strong residuals continue to make the Mini Hatchback an attractive buy. The only things letting it down are a lack of kit on lower-spec models and a small boot.











10. Nissan Qashqai (39,048 registered)

This British-built crossover is arguably the ideal family car. There’s plenty of choice, too, with front- or all-wheel drive available and ‘+2’ extended wheelbase versions that seat seven. Total Nissan registrations rose by 15% in 2010 to 89,681, but it remained in eighth place in the manufacturer chart.

Zero Congestion Charge

In a rare piece of good news for motorists, the beginning of 2011 saw a change to the London Congestion Charge that could see some drivers now (legally) avoiding the fee altogether.



The new Greener Vehicle Discount, which replaces the Alternative Fuel Discount, means that more cars will potentially qualify for 100% off the daily charge.



Naturally, there are a couple of caveats that come attached with this generous gesture from Transport for London.



The first is that the vehicle needs to be ‘green’. More precisely, it should be Euro 5 emissions compliant and produce 100 grams of CO2 per kilometre or less.



Secondly, if you already own such an eco-friendly machine, don’t presume that you can just swan about in central London and not worry about the Congestion Charge. To receive the Greener Vehicle Discount, a car must first be registered with Transport for London, and that involves a £10 annual payment.



So, what cars will qualify for the Greener Vehicle Discount? According to the Vehicle Certification Agency, the models that currently meet the criteria are:

Manufacturer	Model	Specification	Transmission	Fuel	CO2 g/km
Audi	A3	1.6 TDI 105PS Stop Start	M5	Diesel	99
Citroën	DS3	1.6HDi 90hp w/ energy saving tyres	M5	Diesel	99
Citroën	New C3	1.6HDi 90hp Airdream+	M5	Diesel	99
Fiat	500 / 500C (2010 on)	TwinAir	M5	Petrol	95
Fiat	500 / 500C (2010 on)	TwinAir Dualogic	SAT5	Petrol	92
Fiat	Punto Evo (Jan 2010 on)	1.3 16v MultiJet 85 ECO	M5	Diesel	95
Ford	Fiesta (Post 2010¼)	1.6 Duratorq 95PS +DPF ECO	M5	Diesel	98
Hyundai	i10	1.0l SOHC	M5	Petrol	99
Mini	Hatchback	One D w/ DPF	M6	Diesel	99
Mini	Hatchback	Cooper D w/ DPF	M6	Diesel	99
Seat	Ibiza	ST 1.2 CR TDI 75PS Ecomotive	M5	Diesel	92
Seat	Leon	1.6 CR TDI 105PS Ecomotive	M5	Diesel	99
Skoda	New Fabia Hatch	1.2 CR TDI 75PS GreenLine II	M5	Diesel	89
Skoda	New Fabia Estate	1.2 CR TDI 75PS GreenLine II	M5	Diesel	89
Skoda	New Fabia Estate	1.2 TDI 3 cylinder 75PS GreenLine	M5	Diesel	89
Smart	fortwo cabrio (MY 2011)	54 bhp cdi w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Diesel	86
Smart	fortwo cabrio (MY 2011)	54 bhp cdi w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Diesel	87
Smart	fortwo cabrio (MY 2011)	71 bhp mhd w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Petrol	99
Smart	fortwo cabrio (MY 2011)	71 bhp mhd w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Petrol	100
Smart	fortwo coupé (MY 2011)	54 bhp cdi w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Diesel	86
Smart	fortwo coupé (MY 2011)	54 bhp cdi w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Diesel	87
Smart	fortwo coupé (MY 2011)	71 bhp mhd w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Petrol	97
Smart	fortwo coupé (MY 2011)	71 bhp mhd w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Petrol	98
Toyota	iQ (MY 2011)	1.0 VVT-i	M5	Petrol	99
Toyota	Auris Hybrid (MY 2010)	T4 89g 1.8 VVT-i	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	89
Toyota	Auris Hybrid (MY 2010)	T4 1.8 VVT-i	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	93
Toyota	Auris Hybrid (MY 2010)	T Spirit 1.8 VVT-i	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	93
Toyota	Prius (MY 2009)	T4 1.8 VVT-I	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	92
Toyota	Prius (MY 2009)	T3 1.8VVT-I	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	89
Toyota	Prius (MY 2009)	T Spirit 1.8 VVT-I	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	92
Toyota	Prius (MY 2009)	T Spirit w/ Solar Panel 1.8VVT-I	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	89
Volkswagen	New Polo	1.2 TDI 75PS BlueMotion	M5	Diesel	89
Volkswagen	New Golf	1.6 TDI 105PS BlueMotion	M5	Diesel	99
Volvo	C30 (MY 2011)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
Volvo	C30 (MY 2011)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
Volvo	S40 (MY 2010)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
Volvo	S40 (MY 2011)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
Volvo	V50 (MY 2011)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
NB: Electric and plug-in hybrid cars aren’t eligible for the Greener Vehicle Discount - they have their own discount scheme.

It’s worth bearing in mind that Transport for London has committed to review the Greener Vehicle Discount in the future, so that eventually only vehicles emitting 80 g/km or less qualify. This tweak will be introduced ‘when the time is right’, but the first reassessment of the discount has been confirmed for 2012.



And finally, the area covered by the Congestion Charge is now much smaller, following the scrapping of the Western Extension zone on 4th January 2011:

Related posts:

Congestion Charge change

London Congestion Charge

Tiguan has best residuals

Glass’s, publisher of the eponymous used car values guide, has revealed which three-year old models have best held their values in the UK market.



The study looked at ‘57’ plate cars (i.e. first registered between 1 September 2007 and 29 February 2008), which had covered 37,000 miles (59,545 kilometres). The results were ranked by residual value as a percentage of original list price, although low volume models and exotica were excluded.



Given the tough economic climate, it might be expected that used buyers would be flocking towards cheaper, more economical vehicles, so driving up their residual value percentages. Surprisingly, though, seven of the top ten are 4x4s or SUVs, with top spot taken by the Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion.

Glass’s Top Ten Residuals 2010
Position	Model	Residual %	Average Yearly Depreciation
1	Volkswagen Tiguan (168 bhp) SE 4Motion	68.0%	£2,394
2	MINI 1.6 Cooper Hatch	65.9%	£1,462
3	Honda CR-V 2.2 CTDi (138 bhp) SE	64.3%	£2,356
4=	Land Rover Freelander 2 GS Td4 auto	63.8%	£2,965
4=	Audi Q7 3.0TDI (237 bhp) Quattro S Line tiptronic	63.8%	£4,962
6	Land Rover Discovery 3 2.7TD (190 bhp)	63.7%	£3,720
7	Audi TT Coupé 2.0T FSI (197 bhp)	63.6%	£3,123
8	Nissan Qashqai 1.6 (113 bhp) 2WD Visia	63.3%	£1,628
9	Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2.7TD (187 bhp) S auto	62.5%	£4,425
10	Audi A5 2.7TDI (187 bhp) Sport Coupé S tronic	62.2%	£4,123

Mini Countryman WRC

Today has certainly been the day for new World Rally Championship cars. Not only were the Citroen DS3 WRC and Ford Fiesta RS WRC unveiled, but also the Mini Countryman WRC got its debut at the Paris Motor Show.

The car has been developed in partnership with Prodrive, no strangers to WRC success. Like the DS3 and Fiesta, Mini’s entry uses a 1.6 turbocharged engine, in accordance with the new FIA regulations for 2011. Developed by BMW Motorsport, it will transmit its power via an Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox.

Mini has confirmed that it’ll be entering six out of the thirteen scheduled WRC rounds in 2011, before going on to campaign the full season in 2012. Prodrive will also be building customer cars for independent teams to use.

As expected, Kris Meeke has been named as the first driver who will compete for Prodrive in the Mini Countryman WRC. Meeke, from Northern Ireland, is the current Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion. It’s rumoured that he could be joined at Mini by two-time WRC champion Marcus Grönholm.

Aston Martin is coolest

For the fourth time in five years, Aston Martin has been named the UK’s coolest brand in the CoolBrands survey. The 2010/11 poll, which sought the opinions of members of the public as well as a panel of experts, placed the British car maker ahead of brands such as BlackBerry, Google and Dom Perignon.



The other automotive companies that made it into the top twenty were Harley-Davidson (6th), Ferrari (9th) and Mini (16th).



Speaking of the award, Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez said, “Once you can define precisely why a brand is cool, then it no longer has the magic that earns it that label. There has to be an element of mystique, something that eludes definition. In order for a brand to have that quality, it needs people behind it with a passionate, creative vision who care for and nurture it.”



Quite right too. Let’s see if Aston Martin can retain the title after the Cygnet arrives.



The 2010/11 CoolBrands Top 20:

1. Aston Martin (Automotive - Cars)


2. iPhone (Technology - Telecommunications)


3. iPod (Technology - General)


4. Blackberry (Technology - Telecommunications)


5. Bang & Olufsen (Technology - General)


6. Harley-Davidson (Automotive - Motorbikes)


7. Nintendo Wii (Leisure & Entertainment - Games & Toys)


8. Google (Online)


9. Ferrari (Automotive - Cars)


10. Dom Perignon (Drinks - Champagne)


11. BBC iPlayer (Online)


12. Vivienne Westwood (Fashion - Designer)


13. Apple (Technology - General)


14. Tate Modern (Leisure & Entertainment - UK Attractions & The Arts)


15. YouTube (Online)


16. Mini (Automotive - Cars)


17. Chanel (Fashion - Designer)


18. Ray-Ban (Fashion - Accessories, Jewellery, Watches)


19. Alexander McQueen (Fashion - Designer)


20. Jimmy Choo (Fashion - Footwear)

Smart and Mini scooters

Both Smart and Mini will have electric scooter concepts at the Paris Motor Show. That’s either a huge coincidence, or they’ve been keeping a very close eye on each other’s activities. Of course it must be the former, for the benefit of the lawyers.



Smart



Smart’s offering is called the escooter which, like the Smart fortwo car, features a metal frame with interchangeable plastic body panels.

Power comes from a 5 bhp (4 kW / 5 PS) rear hub-mounted motor, driven by a 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack. That’s enough to propel the escooter up to 28 mph (45 km/h), which is on a par with 50 cc petrol scooters and should be fine for most city centre trips. Tackling anything further afield might be a bit ambitious, although Smart reckons it’ll have a range of around 60 miles (100 km).



Charging takes ‘within three to five hours’, which just sounds rather vague. Unlike the Econogo Yogo electric scooter, the escooter doesn’t have a removable battery, which makes recharging awkward unless there’s a convenient kerbside plug-in point to hand.



Stopping ability is clearly one aspect of the escooter that has received a lot of attention. The brakes are linked - which means just one lever controls retardation of both the front and rear wheels - and they come with an anti-lock system, a rarity for scooters.



However, whereas there’s a traditional disc brake for the front wheel, the rear uses the electric motor acting in reverse to slow it down. An added benefit of this arrangement is that braking makes the motor act as a generator, sending extra charge to the battery.



If it ever goes on sale, riders of the escooter will also need to own a smartphone. That’s because putting the phone into a slot on the dashboard deactivates the immobiliser and anti-theft system. Then, when travelling, the phone’s screen becomes the scooter’s instruments, showing speed, battery range and charge level.



A clever idea, but it could all go very wrong the first time it rains and the owner discovers that their smartphone isn’t particularly waterproof.



Mini



Mini is claiming ‘CO2-free mobility’ for its Scooter E Concept. That’s somewhat misleading, unless the electricity used comes from a source that doesn’t produce any carbon dioxide during the generation process. Boringly pedantic, but unfortunately true.

Just like the Smart escooter, the Mini features an electric motor integrated in the rear wheel, combined with a lithium-ion battery. Charging is also via an onboard socket, so any potential buyers would probably have to invest in a few extension leads, too.



Disappointingly, that’s about it for technical information. Seemingly Mini has concentrated more on how its Scooter E Concept looks. Details such as the upright windshield and the round headlight are supposed to evoke the design of Mini cars, although it could be said that the result just ends up resembling a bloated Piaggio Vespa.



In yet another startling coincidence, the Scooter E Concept also makes use of smartphones. Like the Smart escooter, the rider would be expected to slot their phone into the dashboard to enable the bike to start. Once underway, the phone would control music, navigation and communication, using a Bluetooth link to a microphone and speakers in the rider’s helmet.



Doubtless Mini, like Smart, will be waiting to see what kind of reaction its concept gets before deciding whether or not to take it any further. Perhaps parent company BMW’s existing motorcycle operation gives the Mini Scooter E Concept a better chance of making it into production?

Citroen DS3 Racing

The Citroen DS3 Racing will cost £23,100 when UK sales start in early 2011. That’s a lot for a fancy three-door Citroen C3 but, with right hand drive production limited to just 200 units, demand should comfortably outstrip supply.

Based on the existing DS3 DSport THP 150, the Racing version has an uprated 1.6 lire turbo engine which produces 204 bhp (152 kW / 207 PS) and 275 Nm of torque. Consequently, performance is rapid with the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint taking only 6.5 seconds. Top speed is 146 mph (235 km/h).



To go with that extra power, the chassis has also been tweaked. The DS3 Racing gets bespoke dampers, wider (by 30 mm) front and rear tracks and a lower (by 15 mm) ride height, all of which is claimed to sharpen the handling and enhance control. The brakes have also been beefed up, with Citroen fitting four piston calipers and upgraded front discs.



As would be expected given the price, equipment levels are fairly generous. Standard specification includes climate control and Bluetooth connectivity, although not throwing in satellite navigation too is just being stingy.



Available to order from the beginning of September, the DS3 Racing comes in two colour schemes: Obsidian Black pearlescent body with a Sport Orange roof, or Polar White body with a Carbon Grey roof. Whichever is chosen, the roof colour is carried across to the dashboard fascia, tailgate spoiler, door mirrors, alloy wheels, Citroen chevrons and the grille surround.



Completing the look are plenty of carbon fibre bits to emphasise the Racing’s sporty credentials. On the outside these include the wheel arch extensions and rear diffuser, while inside the centre console, steering wheel and door inserts all get the carbon treatment.



The DS3 Racing is going to be up against other expensive superminis such as the equally fast £21,875 Mini John Cooper Works, or the marginally slower £19,650 Renault Clio Gordini 200. But it’s also worth considering that on price it will actually be competing with hot hatches from the segment above, for instance the £23,160 Renault Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup and the £21,500 Seat Leon Cupra.



However, perhaps what really puts the DS3 Racing’s steep price in perspective is knowing that an extra £3,000 would buy something like a BMW 125i M Sport Coupé, with its rear-wheel drive and 215 bhp (160 kW / 218 PS) six cylinder engine.

Mini to compete in WRC

The World Rally Championship could do with a few more works teams right now, so it’s good news that Mini has confirmed it’ll be joining the series.



Using the new Countryman as a basis, the cars will be prepared by Banbury-based Prodrive in accordance with the FIA’s Super2000 rules that come into force next year.

The revised regulations, which stipulate the use of 1.6 litre turbo engines and four-wheel drive, are designed to reduce costs by around 25% compared to current specification WRC cars. Existing competitors Ford and Citroen are also working on their Super2000 challengers, and development versions of the Fiesta and DS3 have already been seen out testing.



Mini will begin its WRC campaign by entering selected rounds of the 2011 season, before competing in all events the following year. There’s no word on drivers yet, although it’s rumoured Marcus Gronholm and Kris Meeke may become involved. The Countryman WRC will also be made available for private customer teams to buy, which should hopefully further boost the number of championship entrants.

Mini gets mini revamp

Details of the 2011 Mini range have been announced. Visually, the changes aren’t that radical, the main alterations being revised bumpers, LED lights at the rear, five new colours and five new alloy wheel designs.

On the inside the centre console, steering wheel and air conditioning and audio controls have all been modified to improve the quality feel and work better ergonomically. Other changes include new upholstery and fascia trim choices. DAB radio is now standard on all models across the range, except for the entry-level Mini First.



The big news though is under the bonnet. Following the introduction of new petrol engines back in March, it’s now the turn of the diesels. Available as either a Cooper D with 110 bhp (82 kW / 112 PS) or One D with 88 bhp (66 kW / 90 PS), the new diesel engines feature light weight aluminium construction, common rail direct injection and turbochargers with variable turbine geometry.



Amazingly, both the Cooper D Hatch and One D Hatch both achieve 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km) on the combined cycle, while producing just 99 g/km of CO2. That means they’ll be eligible for the 100% Greener Vehicle Discount, if proposed changes to the London Congestion Charge are approved. Adding to their green credentials is the standard fitment of a diesel particulate filter and oxidation catalyst.



The 110 bhp unit will also feature in the Cooper D Convertible, the first time ever that a Mini soft top has been available with diesel power. Meanwhile, the Clubman line-up will include the One D and Cooper D. However, it’s worth noting that only the Hatch achieves sub-100 g/km CO2 emissions:

Mini	0-62 mph	Top Speed mph	Combined mpg	CO2 g/km
One D Hatch	11.4	115	74.3	99
Cooper D Hatch	9.7	123	74.3	99
One D Clubman	11.8	114	72.4	103
Cooper D Clubman	10.2	123	72.4	103
Cooper D Convertible	10.3	121	70.6	105

The 2011 Mini range will be go on sale this September, which also sees the launch of the new Mini Countryman. Prices have yet to be confirmed.

PSA 3-cylinder turbo

PSA Peugeot Citroën is planning to invest €175 million in a new 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. To be built at the Douvrin factory in northern France, which is jointly owned by PSA and Renault, production is scheduled to begin in 2013.



Anticipated output is 320,000 units annually, although there’s no word yet on which vehicles will use the 1.2 litre engine. Given its capacity, Peugeot’s 107 /207 and Citroen’s C1 / C3 ranges would probably be prime candidates.



A normally aspirated version of the new engine is already under development, and that will be manufactured at PSA’s Trémery plant in eastern France from early 2012.



Does this mean there’s now the possibility of a future Mini (or even BMW) with 3-cylinder power? It seems unlikely for the time being, because the existing PSA - BMW development agreement only covers four-cylinder petrol engines.

BMW goes FWD

In a move that might alienate some fans of the brand, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has revealed plans for a range of small BMW cars that will share a front wheel drive / all-wheel drive platform with Mini.



This is a major paradigm shift. Up until now, BMW has stuck to either rear or all-wheel drive for its entire line-up, on the basis that only those layouts would deliver the superior handling balance that’s central to the marque’s reputation. How else could BMW provide The Ultimate Driving Machine / Sheer Driving Pleasure / Freude am Fahren etc, etc?



The new BMW models will sit below the 1 Series, which is to retain its RWD architecture, and be between 3800mm and 4300mm long.



To put those figures into context, the Mini hatch is 3699mm, the Mini Clubman is 3937mm and the BMW 1 Series hatch is 4239mm. So it seems the new range is going to have to squeeze into a tiny gap between those existing models.



A fairly safe assumption is that the next generation 1 Series will grow slightly, creating space to accommodate the newcomers. It’ll still be interesting to see whether the new FWD range has more interior space than the 1 Series, though. Unlike the 1 Series, it won’t need an engine bay that can take a longitudinally-mounted straight six engine, a consequence of RWD that certainly affects packaging.



Will the advent of FWD really bother potential customers? That’ll probably depend on who you ask.



The majority probably won’t understand the question. According to a recent survey of 1 Series drivers carried out by BMW, a shocking 80% thought their car was driven through its front wheels. So, as long as the new range handles fine, they really won’t care. It works for BMW’s competitors. Audi, for example, manages quite happily using FWD for all of its cars except the A8, R8, Q5 and Q7.



Admittedly, it’s debateable whether an Audi ultimately offers as good a driving experience as its equivalent BMW. For some of the remaining 20%, such arguments might make them a bit sceptical of FWD. However, Mini has already proven that BMW can engineer a very capable FWD chassis. The Mini’s handling prowess combined with the better ride that a longer wheelbase should give sounds like a pretty good recipe.



That leaves the third, most likely smallest, group. Those who think FWD is the work of the devil, who would rather walk than drive such a creation. OK, in a fit of pique they may decide to boycott the rest of the BMW range, but they should be reminded that the market isn’t awash with RWD cars smaller than the 1 Series. The only mainstream alternatives are the Mazda MX-5 or Lotus Elise / Exige, 4020mm and 3785mm respectively. Not exactly direct competitors to the BMW, then.



One of the biggest problems facing BMW will be what to call its small car. 0 Series?

Anti-retro Citroen

It’s no secret that manufacturers often use what is basically the same car across several brands, charging differing amounts depending on specification and the perceived appeal of the badge.  Volkswagen, for example, is expert at it.  This means the Audi A3 essentially shares its underpinnings with the less expensive Skoda Octavia, something that A3 drivers never tire of hearing.



What is more unusual is attempting to sell two ranges side by side under the same brand.  But that’s exactly what Citroen is trying.  Its new DS3 should complement the (also new) C3 upon which it’s based, but it could also end up competing against it, cannibalising sales.  It’s due to be joined by the DS4 - a concept will be unveiled at March’s Geneva motor show - and probably in time a DS5 too, to sit alongside the C4 and C5 respectively.



With the DS3, Citroen is targeting competitors like the Mini, whose buyers appreciate interesting design and who also like to trawl through the options list in order to personalise their cars.  Citroen is doing that with an ‘anti-retro’ message, doubtless having a pop at the Mini, Volkswagen Beetle and Fiat 500 in the process.  That’s despite the DS prefix having obvious retro connotations.







The DS3 certainly looks pretty good though, especially with the contrasting roof paint (surely not inspired by the ‘retro’ Mini Cooper?).

That said, the new C3 also looks neat and distinctive, so is the DS3 different enough?

The other question is whether it’s a ‘premium’ product?  From the pricing, it’s hard to tell, especially as trim levels and engine availability vary between the DS3 and C3.  For instance, the mid-range DS3 1.6 VTi DStyle costs £13,700 in the UK, compared to the roughly equivalent C3 1.4 VTi VTR+ at £13,190.



So not much of a difference, especially when the larger engine in the DS3 is taken into account (if you want the 1.6 VTi in a C3, you have to opt for the range-topping Exclusive spec and pay £14,590).



On the road, the conclusion from Autocar is that the emphasis is on comfort and style, rather than outright driver appeal.  Perhaps that’s exactly what Citroen was aiming for, but it might not be enough to tempt people away from Mini.



Time will tell whether Citroen’s dual range experiment works, but the first car in the DS series seems to ultimately be a three-door C3, albeit with appealing design and sensible pricing.

MINI Cooper R57 Cabriolet by AC Schnitzer

With the summer driving season just around the corner, AC Schnitzer has unveiled their new range of accessories for the MINI Cooper R57 Convertible.

On the performance side, the company offers an engine upgrade package which boosts the MINI Cooper S' 175 hp rating to 208 hp (226 hp for export models). Other "go faster" goodies include a limited slip differential, a height adjustable sports suspension, and an aluminum strut brace for the front axle.

In terms of styling, Schnitzer offers a sport exhaust system with chrome accents, several wheel and tire combinations, a new front spoiler, a sporty rear skirt, and a variety of different decal packages. Should owners feel obligated to spruce up the interior, the tuning firm also offers an aluminum gear knob and pedal set as well as several velour floor mats.

MINI Cooper Performance Upgrades by Hamann

In early 2007, BMW Group tuning specialist, Hamann, was quick to produce an aerodynamics styling kit for the new second generation R56 Mini, but took over a year and a half to complete the program with engine performance upgrades mainly consisting of reprogrammed ECUs.

Nonetheless, the Bosch Motrotnic ignition control unit has be remapped, and the 1.6-liter turbo engine in the Cooper S, which normally produces 175 hp / 128 kW, has been increased to 204 hp/ 150 kW at 5,500 r.p.m. and torque of 300 Nm at 1,600 – 5,000 rpm.

However, Hamann offers an even more powerful kit for the Cooper S. Called SPORTKIT CS 230, it adds on top of the ECU upgrade with an improved intercooler and sport muffler making 230hp / 169 kW at 6,050 r.p.m. and 330 Nm torque at 3,860 r.p.m. As a result, top speed increases to 238 km/h and 0-100 km/h increase by at least 0.5 seconds.

For the Cooper D which normally has 110 hp, it now makes 26hp / 20 kW more for a total of 136 hp / 100 kW at 4,000 r.p.m. and a maximum torque of a huge 300 Nm at 1,750 – 2,000 r.p.m.

Mini Clubman by AC Schnitzer

Despite being described by some as “everything you don't need”, the MINI Cooper S Clubman is certainly doing something right on the business end with the launch contributing to record sales for the MINI brand. But at 170hp, surely it is missing something. The John Cooper Works kit went some way to appeasing the power hungry consumers with a package boosting the power up to 211hp, but AC Schnitzer had other ideas with their own package which boosts the Clubman up to 226hp.

Hiding beneath the eye catching body kit which features a new front spoiler and a striking power dome is the 226hp/166KW AC Schnitzer tuned engine which develops up to 285nm of torque. But where there is power - there is noise. So to appease the neighbours, the famed BMW & Mini Tuner has fitted their twin sports rear silencer which plays its role in the orchestral masterpiece coming from chromed tailpipes. Driving performance is further enhanced with the AC Schnitzer spring kit and height-adjustable racing suspension

Optionally you can add the limited slip differential (up to maximum 75 percent) which ensures the raw power is applied to the right wheel through cornering rather than being lost through the exhaust.

The kit is completed with either 17'' or 18'' wheels, specially styled for the Mini.