Mini Cooper 2009 Review

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 growing

Orders 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 118d

Still, 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 79/100

Bottom line: A combination of fun and frugal that is unique today, and very appealing for some people.

Mini D
Price: From $33,750
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo diesel four cylinder
Outputs: 80kW at 4000 revs, 240Nm at 1750 revs
Transmission: Six-speed manual (six-speed auto optional)
Economy: 3.9/100km combined
RIVALS
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)