2009 Mini Cooper Reviews

Launched to an amazed world in 1959 the Mini became a huge success worldwide as well as in Australia, with it being built in Sydney for years. It faded from the 1980s onwards though some variants were still being made overseas till the year 2000. The British motor industry was in serious trouble for many years and

Despite sceptics having serious doubts about the new Mini when it was launched in the UK and Europe 2001, it has been a big success.

As cute as the new Mini was it wasn't the most practical car you could drive, but that was where the Mini Clubman came in.

It's a testament to the ability of the new Mini's designers that its freshness hasn't diminished once the initial excitement of its launch faded. Doing a retro model is perhaps the most difficult of things to pull off, but the Mini men appear to have done it.The initial 2002 model paid proper homage to the much-loved original classic. The first new-age model was a fun-filled little car that revived memories of the original for anyone who was old enough to remember, but it also packed its own appeal for a younger generation.It was that generation that would determine the on-going popularity of the Mini, so keeping it fresh was critical if the Mini was to be  around for the long term. The R56 refreshed the Mini with a raft of changes from a new body to a turbocharged engine in the Cooper S, but importantly it remained true to the Mini model.While it remained true to form it didn't compromise on the things required of a car in today's demanding world. As a result the R56 had more power and economy, as well as increased space, comfort and refinement.The cabin of the new model was roomier, the view from inside was brilliantly clear and unobstructed, although there was some criticism of the huge, centrally mounted speedo. The base engine was a 1.6-litre BMW-developed four that had to be stirred along to get the most out of, but the pick of the engines was clearly the new turbocharged version in the Cooper S that adds extra grunt to increase the thrill of the drive.New six-speed gearboxes, manual and auto, also add to the fun. Central to the Mini theme is its chassis with the wheels placed at the corners to give as big a footprint as is possible with a smallish car. The footprint coupled with the tautness of the chassis makes the Mini agile and responsive - just plain fun to drive on a twisty road. The Cooper starts the range, then there's the turbocharged Cooper S, and on top of that each has an optional Chilli pack that boasts bigger alloy wheels, leather and cloth trimmed sports seats and 10 speaker sound.IN THE SHOPThere is nothing to suggest the Mini has any serious issues that should stop you buying one. It's generally well built and quite reliable.The issues that tend to be reported are more one-offs than widespread, and mostly relate to build quality issues. Relatively minor things like remote door locks, window winders etc. are the components most reported. Check for a service record before buying, and have a Mini specialist mechanic check it over.IN A CRASHSix airbags, together with stability control and cornering braking control as well as ABS braking and its associated systems give the Mini an impressive safety arsenal, enough to win five stars from ANCAP.AT THE PUMPMini's makers claimed the Cooper would average 5.8L/100km, the turbocharged Cooper S 6.9L/100km, but on test the Cooper averaged a real-life 8.4L/100km.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $31,100 to $43,500Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder; 88 kW/160 Nm 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo; 128 kW/240 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed autoEconomy: 5.8 L/100 km (1.6), 6.9 L/100 km (1.6T) Body: 2-door hatch, 3-door wagon Variants: Cooper, Cooper Chilli, Cooper SSafety: 5-star ANCAP Green: 4-star (Cooper), 3.5-star (Cooper S)VERDICTGreat driving, great looking, fun-filled little car perfect for those who enjoy the drive.COMING UP Do you own or have you owned a Toyota Prado? Share your experience with other Carsguide readers by sending your comments via e-mail to grah.smith@bigpond.com or write to Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

The new Mini, now owned by BMW, has been a huge success since its launch in Australia in March 2002.Partly because it’s a competent vehicle, but principally due to the fact that geniuses in the marketing have positioned it as a fashion item, not simply a car.As a result of Mini magazines, Facebook pages and numerous owners’ clubs, Minis have been customised in an extraordinary number of fascinating ways. Some of the prices paid are staggering, with the most expensive new Mini in Australia to date topping $100,000.Driving enjoyment is another factor in the car’s success. As a dynamic automotive for the keen driver the BMW Mini is close to perfect. The new Mini has steering that's almost kart-like in its response, in fact it’s almost too quick and first time drivers can get taken by surprise at times.The suspension assists the tyres to grip the road like grim death and the big disc brakes stop hard and straight.On the downside, the ride is fairly harsh and may prove too much for some occupants when it’s cruising on rough Aussie bush roads. The two top versions of the Mini are sold in Australia – the lower cost model, the Mini One, isn’t imported.The Cooper S is the hotshot, having its 1.6-litre engine supercharged prior to the introduction of the new model in March 2007, and turbocharged from then onwards.We really like the supercharged engine, because its torque comes in virtually instantly, whereas the turbo unit inevitably has a slight lag before delivering its all.The supercharged engine has a glorious shriek when you get stuck into it, a sound that’s loved by keen drivers with memories of supercharged racing cars. Externally, you can pick the Cooper S by the bonnet slot for the turbocharger’s intercooler, its chromed side grilles and fuel-filler cap, a small wing protruding from the rear of the roof, twin exhausts and larger (16-inch) alloy wheels.Sports seats have the option of full-leather or cloth/leather, the latter probably the better bet for hot Australian conditions. The steering wheel and gear lever knob are finished in leather and there are aluminium door sill plates carrying Mini Cooper S logos.A Mini cabriolet was launched late in 2004 and has an excellent opening roof system. Not only can it be used to make the Mini an open convertible, but also as a closed car with an open sunroof. The new cabriolet didn’t arrive in Australia until March 2009, two years after the launch of the Mark 2 coupe and it seems likely the two bodies will continue to be out of chronological order from now on.Topping out the Mini range is the Cooper S with the works – the John Cooper Works that is. The Cooper company specialises in improving Minis, both the original models and the new 21st century machines.Engine work on the new Mini is extensive and includes an Eaton supercharger in place of the Rootes unit fitted to the standard Mini Cooper S. Turbo engines in the later JCW’s rely on extra boost, with overboost on offer if you want to get really serious.Early in 2012 a coupe and roadster were added to the Mini range, it’s too early to comment on these as used cars. The new Mini network is well established in Australia. Almost all dealers are in suburban areas, which could lead to hassles if you’re unlucky enough to strike a problem in remote country.Being part of the BMW organisation gives the Mini major advantages in technical backup. Spare parts and servicing charges aren't unreasonable for a car in this class, meaning they are higher than for a typical small car. While it’s possible to do some of your own routine servicing, we suggest you stick with the professionals for all but the most minor tasks, and don’t even think of touching areas that can compromise safety.Most new Minis belong to doting owners and are serviced by the book. You will probably be happy to pay the extra asked for one of these pampered cars – it’s money well spent. Insurance costs are quite high, even more so for one of the ‘charged’ engines. Shop around for insurance, especially if you are young and/or inexperienced.But be sure to make direct comparisons between insurance companies and understand what you're getting – or not getting for your premium dollar.WHAT TO LOOK FORCheck for crash damage, or previous smash repairs. Mismatched paint colours from one panel to another are a good clue – do the inspection in strong light. Also look for ripples in the panels, most easily seen when viewed end on. Tiny drops of paint in unpainted areas like lights, windows and badges are another clue to a respray.Be very wary of a Mini that has been fanged during track days or at a drag strip. Look for a roll cage, lowered suspension and additional instruments. Keep in mind they may have been put back to standard before going on sale.Look over the interior for signs of damage or wear and tear. Don’t forget to check the boot.Check for signs of water stains in a cabriolet, ask to have the carpets removed to check the floor under them. Dry carpets may be new units, so don’t necessarily mean the car hasn't been caught in the rain...Make sure the engine starts easily and idles smoothly. Watch for a puff of smoke from the exhaust when it first kicks over and again when it’s accelerated hard during your road test. Make sure all gear changes are light, easy and quiet. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) fitted on early automatics has unusual sounds during its operation (engine sound, that is, the transmission should be quiet) if you haven’t driven one of these before it’s smart to call in an expert.CAR BUYING TIPWhen looking at any sporting car be sure to avoid one that’s been thrashed. A professional inspector is invaluable in providing advice.

Doing 100km of general running about for less than five bucks in fuel makes motoring pretty affordable. As manufacturers bring out more models with increasingly-amazing frugality, motorists are laughing all the way from the pumps. A generation ago, the 30 miles per gallon mark (9.4 litres/100km in metric speak) was a

Getting a D for your new Mini does not mean you have failed. Actually, the new Cooper D is a winner. The D badge on the bum stands for diesel and the installation of the latest-generation common-rail 1.6-litre turbodiesel in the nose of the new-age Mini means you can travel more than 1000 kilometres between refills.The diesel is the third turbo Mini motor, joining the petrol-fuelled Cooper S and John Cooper Works models which both have twin-scroll turbocharging for more go. The turbodiesel D is very different, and since it was launched in Australia back in May the D has been a moderate success for the brand. But interest is growingOrders are now double the original showroom forecast - even if it was a low target - and around one-third of total Mini sales down under. And the car's frugal economy continues to attract strong interest. According to Mini, the D is a compelling hatch for anyone looking to drive their dollar further.If an average owner travels 15,000km a year in the Mini D, the fuel bill is under $15 a week at current metro diesel prices.Economy The 1.6-litre diesel has a combined fuel sipping figure of 3.9 litres for every 100km, which made it the country's most fuel efficient car back in May. However, Ford has since claimed the title with its Fiesta Econetic, which gets 3.7 litres/100km and BMW has also done better with its 118dStill, the arrival of other fuel misers does not diminish the Mini Cooper D's appeal.Styling The Mini Cooper D looks almost exactly the same as the 1.6-litre petrol models. Trainspotters will notice that the bonnet gets a more muscular curve to accommodate larger induction plumbing and of course the rear badge signalling it's an oil-burner. The large intake below the bumper, which feeds air into the engine, has a different grille and is split by a slim, body-coloured bar.Equipment The D gets the same equipment as the petrol Cooper, which means stability control, six airbags, 15-inch alloys, air conditioning, CD stereo, trip computer, multi-function sports steering wheel, cruise control and height-adjustable front seats.Drivetrain The 80kW diesel engine delivers a punchy 240Nm between 1750 and 2000 revs, 70 per cent available at just 1250 revs. Like the Cooper S petrol engines, the lightweight diesel engine's turbocharger also has a torque overboost feature. This extra 20Nm pushes peak torque to 260Nm at short notice, for swifter overtaking. The D is good for a 9.9-second sprint to 100km/h and will run out to a top speed of 195km/h.Mini has borrowed the car's economy features from some BMW models, which is not surprising as the German brand owns Mini. There is an auto-stop-start function on the six-speed manual, which means the engine stops when the car is stationary and in neutral.The car also has brake-energy regeneration, which helps lower the car's C02 emissions to just 104 grams for every kilometre. There is also a gear change indicator light, which shows up on the dashboard to indicate the ideal gear. The car also gets a streamlined underbody aerodynamic panel to help reduced drag, and on-demand engine equipment such as electric power-assisted steering, a switchable water pump and flow-regulated oil pump that only operate when needed.Driving Mini is stretching the limit on the fuel economy of the D. It says 3.9L/100km and splashes the figure on the driver's door like a giant racing number. For me, it is a 4.1 car. Not that it's a bad thing. And I didn't miss the target by much. It is massively frugal yet still gets along very briskly, retaining the zip-zap cornering character of the petrol-powered Mini with a solid surge of overtaking torque at any time.It's not as brisk as you might expect from a Mini, and as I remember from the Cooper S and John Cooper cars, but is still quick enough for most people. And fine around the city or suburbs.The best thing is that, provided you shift early and often in the six-speed manual, you can have signature Mini fun. That means quickish sprints, good go around corners, and enough punch to chirp the tyres on a 1-2 change.The fuel-saver gear on the Mini D is barely noticeable, apart from the engine-off system when you stop at traffic lights. It's a good idea that is catching on fast, and the re-start on the Mini was quicker than a Land Rover Freelander I drove earlier this year.The upshift indicator in the dash is another good idea, hinting when it's best to shift for economy, although it's impossible to check the electric steering or on-demand water pump. The braking performance was a bit sharper than I remember from the John Cooper car, but that could be me and not the brake-energy regeneration.The overall Mini package is just as I remember, from the funky dash to the tiny boot (although there are folding rear seats) and the click-clack positive gearshift.The only real downside is engine noise, particularly at start-up. The diesel rattles and clanks and the Mini does not have the sort of countermeasures in the latest all-new diesel cars, such as the Benz E-Class. It will come, but not yet.Some people will miss the zippy performance of the go-faster Mini models, but the D is more than good enough to pace city traffic and can get up for go in the country. And the chassis has plenty in reserve at any time, so you don't get the edgy feeling or the steering tug of the high-powered Mini models.It's not as refined as a Golf diesel, but the Mini is still a Mini and now it's possible to have your fun and drive past most service stations with a smile.Score 79/100Bottom line: A combination of fun and frugal that is unique today, and very appealing for some people.Mini D Price: From $33,750Engine: 1.6-litre turbo diesel four cylinderOutputs: 80kW at 4000 revs, 240Nm at 1750 revsTransmission: Six-speed manual (six-speed auto optional)Economy: 3.9/100km combinedRIVALS Peugeot 308 1.6 XSE HDI 75/100 (from $34,690)Volkswagen Golf 2.0TDI 81/100(from $33,190)Hyundai i30 1.6 SLX CRDi 77/100 (from $26,390) 

Australia could be the fourth country to get an electric Mini.The BMW Group has produced about 500 Mini E vehicles which run on mains electricity stored in a battery. They are loaned out to VIPs and government departments in the US, Germany and recently England.BMW Australia product communications manager Tim James hopes Australia will be the next to get an appraisal vehicle. "We have submitted a request to have a vehicle as part of a small pilot programme in Australia for various press evaluation and potentially government departments," he said. "There is no confirmation yet, but we have asked and we are confident. "Timing is unconfirmed at this stage."Unless you have been living in the Big Brother House for the past year, you would be aware that electric vehicles are imminent. Nissan, Mitsubishi, Smart and others are about to release mass market models while many other manufacturers are experimenting with small-volume test vehicles. Mini is one such company.Where the Mini E differs from most other models is that it is a commonly recognisable car. In the past, electric cars have either been golf carts or space-age weirdo machines that look like something George Jetson would drive. They were also thought to be slugs until Tesla came along and sorted that out; albeit with an expensive price tag. But they were never thought to be cars we could actually drive and afford. Until Mini E.Here is a car that looks exactly like a normal car. The only differences are some decals and the fact that it is a two-seater as the battery takes up the back seat.Mini E has a claimed range of 240km, produces 150kW of power and 220Nm of torque and will accelerate to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.DrivingBMW last week loaned a Mini E to four Australian journalists to test around the streets and autobahns of Munich and surrounds. While we can confirm that it accelerates in a linear fashion to 100km/h in about 8.5 seconds, the claim about range must be based on a little old lady driving it to church.After our strenuous testing, the range indicator (where the tacho normally is) told us we would get about 70 per cent of the claimed range. Mini E project director Dieter Falkensteiner told us it was ‘driveable like a Mini auto’. However, with its enormous torque from go, it is a bit of a torque-steering handful when the lights go green.It also features overly aggressive regenerative braking which harnesses the kinetic energy of the brakes to recharge the battery.However, it feels as if the handbrake is still on. As soon as you release pressure on the accelerator, there is substantial deceleration. No coasting as you would expect in a normal car. This is fairly common for en electric vehicle, but it is the most dramatic of any electric cars I have driven. It is so effective, that it will decelerate to a complete stop from 100km/h in about 12 seconds without having to touch the brakes at all. That might be good for brake disc wear, but it will certainly take some getting used to.Together with a slight delay in the accelerator response, I found it rather difficult to drive smoothly especially in stop-go traffic. However, if you are keen on having a red-hot go, it rewards with a powerful thrust of linear acceleration, accompanied only by the muted sounds of a hair dryer. In fact, that sound is the airconditioning system trying to keep the battery cool.The 260kg battery takes up the entire back seat area and adds to the vehicle's extra weight which is up about 400kg on as similar auto Cooper. The battery can be quick charged on 50amp in about 2.5 hours or 32amp in five hours and draws a maximum of 28 kilowatt hours of electricity, costing about $5, depending on your supplier and when you charge. Australian mains power would charge it in around eight hours. Falkensteiner said that with development, the battery size would be reduced and the rear seat returned. How that battery copes with Australia's extremes of temperature are yet to be determined.Mini EBody: 2-door, 2-seaterMotor: asynchronous electricPower: 150kWTorque: 220NmBattery: lithium-ionWeight: 1465kgAcceleration: 0-100km/h 8.5 seconds

Hybrid or diesel? It's one of the burning questions of 2009. Rival carmakers each claim to have the perfect answer to the green question of the new millennium, but they can’t both be right when one is trumpeting the economy and efficiency of diesel and the other says a petrol-electric hybrid is the only way forward. So we put them to the test.The contestants We lined the latest Mini Diesel up against the all-new Toyota Prius and put them through their hoops in the real-world disaster zone of commuter travel.To keep thirst and belch low, the Prius relies on switching over to its electric motor – partly charged by capturing regenerative braking power – whenever practical, while the Mini uses an efficient diesel system and stop-start technology that switches off the engine when you’re stationary. And they both do impressive figures on a test cycle.The Prius III’s 1.8-litre engine claims official figures of 3.9L/100km for urban and combined driving, and 3.7l for highway running, with emissions pegged at 89gm/km of CO2.Mini D carries a 1.5-litre diesel engine that also posts an official figure of 3.9l/100km combined - rising to 4.7l in city driving and dropping to 3.5l for the highway - but emits 104gm/km,But a laboratory test is a long way from the stop-start grind of an average Australian workday run. So how would they perform in a series of nightmare commuter runs through Sydney’s peak hour traffic into the CBD? We asked two colleagues to do a couple of commutes in each car, driving in their normal manner, restricting their trips to the work runs and noting their fuel consumption and impressions.Northern trips From Narabeen, Simon Fuller has a commute of about 35km, and takes just over an hour to cover it on average. The two round trips he did in the Prius through morning and afternoon peak hours resulted in an average fuel consumption of 4.6L/100km. Being totally city driving, that’s naturally a bit above the official combined figure, but a fairly economical result for peak hour travel.The same trips in the Mini came in at 4.9l/100km - just 0.2l above the car’s claimed city figure, but with the higher price of diesel a more expensive commute.Southern trips From Oyster Bay, Brett Houldin also travels about 35km and takes just over an hour. His two round trips in the Prius resulted in an average fuel consumption of 4.5L/100km, while his Mini consumption finished at 5.3l. So it seems the Toyota hybrid can ward off the bowser challenge from the Mini diesel. But if you’re going to spend long hours in a car, a great fuel figure is not the whole picture.Fuller on the Prius City driving at any time around peak hour means that there is plenty of stopping and starting in your drive. The Prius’ sluggish take-off but sensitive brakes made this an interesting practice, but this wasn’t too hard to adapt to. And once the car is moving, it has no problem getting up to the required speed. The steering was a pleasure and the turning circle was impressive.But when the electric motor is in control on slow-speed inclines-such exit ramps out of car parks - there is a tendency for the Prius to stop and roll backwards. I learned to put my foot down on the accelerator a lot harder than would feel comfortable in most cars.However I liked the radar cruise control. I didn’t have to brake or accelerate as the speed of the car in front changed. The radar would detect the Prius getting closer to the car in front, brake, and then resume speed once there was sufficient room again. Not sure how much I trust a computer-driven car, but it certainly was fun.As was the parallel park assist function. Once you have lined up a spot to park in, all you have to do is brake as it reverses and steers for you. For many people, the excellent fuel consumption might make it a significant factor in their car choice. If these were priced in a lower price range, I think they would be a lot more appealing.Overall, the Prius was roomy, reasonably powered, and feature packed. But there was no sense of pleasure in the driving. It lacked the feel that a keen driver would be looking for.Houldin on the Prius It’s small and sleek, but powerless. My first reaction - a lawn mower. It was hard to adjust to such a different car from my usual V8 offroader, and that was obvious each time I took off from the lights. But once you got up to around 30km/h, the car was very comfortable and enjoyable to drive around the city, manoeuvrable and easy to control.I enjoyed the positioning of various buttons and the ease of driving. Having the odometer in the middle was at first annoying till I used the illuminated ‘heads-up’ display - this is a fantastic addition. My biggest complaint was the location of the back spoiler. It seemed to be in the way every time I wanted to look through the rear-view mirror. But overall, a good city car and very economical, so it suits its purpose.Fuller on the MiniI was surprised at the spaciousness of the cabin, and felt an immediate sense of excitement at the interior-bucket seats, retro-styled gauges, aircraft-like control switches, two-panel sunroof … it looked like this car had it all.The engine has the hollow burbling noise familiar with diesel engines, but with the doors closed and windows up, you'd have no idea it wasn’t a petrol motor, until you use the accelerator. The distinct difference is the torque that this little beast has to offer compared to a similar sized petrol powerplant. It's definitely not lacking.The clutch and gearbox feel solid and are both easy to adapt to and very smooth. Gear ratios probably couldn't be much closer to perfect either. The steering is firm, and it handles well. There was an initial abrupt reminder that the engine switches off when stationary after you shift into neutral. Not yet trusting the system, I just touched the clutch pedal and the engine fired back up, and very quickly too.The Mini also coped well with a peak-hour commuter’s dread in a manual-stretches of stop-start-crawl on a twisty uphill road. The Mini makes this a piece of cake, with the hill-hold feature kicking in every time you come to a rest while facing uphill, making take-offs so easy and never needing the handbrake. And it used just under half the fuel of my regular vehicle, a turbo four-cylinder Mazda.Houldin on the Mini The manual is annoying in heavy traffic, especially when it turns off during idle. I found the suggested gear change interesting, mostly because it suggested changing before 2000rpm-this is obviously how they claim such low consumption. Very rarely did I get it into sixth gear around town even when it suggested it at 70km/h.But this car is really fun with a go-cart feel. It sounds like many other diesel engines - and this one was similar to an old Herbie. There is plenty of power for a small car and it’s very zippy around the city, but you tend to not focus on how fast you’re going when the gauge is in the middle of the dash. And the mesh cover on the sunroof is basically useless. It should have been solid.But overall it handles very well and you’d recommend it to anyone looking for some basic thrills with minimal running costs.Fuller’s choice The Mini for sure, because although it has great economy and is better for the environment than most cars, it manages to not compromise the driving experience, and still has plenty of power to boot. It's got better visibility and not so many features that I probably wouldn't end up using, like the parking assist.Houldin’s choice I’d buy the Prius, mainly because I know my wife loved it and it’s the type of car she would drive more than me. It had some awesome techno features that were equivalent to a top of the market car. But if I wanted a car just to fang around in, no question - the Mini.Toyota Prius Price: From $39,900 (Prius) to $53,500 (Prius i-Tech) plus on-road costsEngine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol plus electric motorOutputs: 73kW at 5200rpm and 142Nm at 4000rpm (engine); 60kW (motor); net power 100kWTransmission: Continuously variable transmission, front-wheel driveEconomy (official): 3.9l/100km combined and urban, 3.7l/100km highwayEconomy (on test): 4.5l/100km urban, averagedMini Cooper D Price: From $33,750 plus on-road costsEngine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder dieselOutput: 80kW at 4000rpm and 240Nm at 1750rpmTransmissions: Six-speed manual or automatic, front-wheel driveEconomy (official): 3.9l/100km combined, 3.5l/100km highway, 4.7l/100km urbanEconomy (on test): 5.1/100km urban, averaged

The Mini Cooper D posts an official fuel consumption figure of 3.9 litres per 100km and C02 emissions of 104g/km, slipping in just beneath Toyota's current Prius (the next Prius claims it will hit 3.9l/100km and 89g/km) and the Smart mhd.The brand’s Australian marketing manager Chris Brown says making diesel cool and sexy is the challenge. "That's the $64-million dollar question, and I think the thing working in our favour is inherently it's a Mini. "We're relying on the fact that a diesel in a Mini package is still a Mini," he says.Brown says the benefits of diesel are well accepted, but some of the other technologies don't carry over. "Some of the new technology doesn't carry over into the automatic - the automatic stop/start and the shift indicator for example."Those people more interested in economy are going to go for the manual, those looking for convenience will go for the auto. "We're expecting 50/50 but we're not sure on our volume targets, we're conservatively thinking about 200 between now and the end of the year," he says.DrivetrainsThe D can be spotted in traffic by Mini-philes by a bigger front air intake and the broader power dome bonnet that accommodates the larger induction hardware for the 1.6-litre common-rail direct-injection turbodiesel.The particle-filter equipped engine was co-developed and is shared with Peugeot and Citroen and has a variable-geometry turbocharger.The turbo shares an overboost function (when the right pedal is floored) with its petrol siblings, giving an additional 20Nm of torque above the 240Nm available from 1750rpm.Mini staffers say 70 per cent of the peak torque is on offer from 1250rpm and if you feel the need, the engine delivers 80kW of power at 4000rpm. The official Mini blurb claims that's good enough for a 9.9 second sprint to 100km/h and a 195km/h top speed, says Mini.The launch drive fleet was devoid of any optional six-speed automatics - which up the price from $33,750 for the manual to $36,100 - and also increases the thirst to five litres per 100km.Aids to fuel economy With the six-speed manual gearbox you get the auto stop/start function which stops the engine when the gearbox is in neutral and the clutch pedal is not pressed. As soon as the clutch pedal is touched, the engine re-starts.The Cooper D also brings with it brake energy regeneration, which re-charges the battery when coasting or braking, as well as smart oil and water pumps that only kick in as required.An underbody aero-panel, a ‘friction-optimised’ crank drive, electric power steering and more aluminium panels and components help lighten the load on the fuel bill.EquipmentThe Cooper D carries the same equipment specification as the petrol-powered Cooper, which means stability control, six airbags, 15in alloy wheels, air conditioning, CD sound system, trip computer, sports steering wheel with audio and cruise controls and height-adjustable front seats.DrivingIf any car can make diesel trendy then a Mini has a shot at it. Dressed up in the optional ($37,350) Chilli pack as it is in the images, the spunky little four-seater looks the goods.The little diesel is quiet and reasonably smooth, with plenty of torque to more than adequately shift 1090kg.Idling through city streets a gear higher than otherwise would be possible, the little Cooper D pulls up hills with no throttle pressure at all.The gearshift is smooth and quick, giving the consumption-conscious driver a chance at achieving the ADR figure of 3.9l/100km to rapidly swap cogs even before the optimistic economy-encouraging gearshift indicator.Trust is required to believe the claim of 70 per cent torque peak on offer from 1250rpm.The alloy block for the diesel has meant weight over the front end has not soured the handling, so the go-kart road manners have not been tarnished.The automatic stop/start function takes some getting used to and the rattle as it stops is a little rough. The start-up time, followed by engaging a gear and getting away, can be a worry, as drivers behind expect the little hot-hatch ahead of it to be quick off the line.On the launch drive through the crawling CBD traffic, suburban main roads, freeways and onto country roads, my co-driver and I managed to match the 3.9-litre fuel use claim by the company, although our overall average was just over 4.1.Mini Cooper D Price: from $33,750.Engine: 1.6-litre common-rail direct-injection intercooled turbodiesel.Transmission: six-speed manual or six-speed automatic ($36,100), front-wheel drive.Power: 80kW @ 4000rpm.Torque: 240Nm @ 1750rpm (260Nm on overboost).Performance: 0-100km/h 9.9 seconds, top speed 195km/h (manual).Economy: 3.9litres/100km, tank 40litres.Emissions: 104g/km.Rivals: Smart mhd, from $19,990.Toyota Prius, from $37,400.Peugeot 207 1.6 HDI XT, from $28,990.Citroen C4 1.6 HDI, from $30,990.