Model Update

Who wouldn’t fall in love with a car that could offer stunning looks (on the cute side of stunning looks), sub ten second 0-100 km/h sprints, a fuel consumption figure of around 4.0 litres/100 km and a handling package that screams of excitement. The good news is that the latest Mini Cooper D has all of the above.

In April 2007, the MINI hatchback received the highest possible score of five stars in the Euro NCAP Crash Test with regard to adult occupant safety. Equipped with loads of sophisticated, high-precision regulating and suspension systems, your new Mini Cooper D has what it takes to keep you safer than most small cars on the road today. Your Mini Cooper D is also equipped with ABS, Cornering Brake Control, EBD, Brake Assist, Automatic Stability Control, Traction Control and Dynamic Stability Control.

There are plenty of stylish features to note, however a few should be sufficient. Chrome is standard on the front headlamp bezels, grille surrounds, waist finishers and rear lamp cluster surrounds. You’ll also find that the door handles are chrome finished, as well. A loud sound system with clarity, bluetooth connectivity and sports seats make for an entertaining drive. Cup-holders and air-conditioning are standard items for the splendid little Mini Cooper D, too.

Come on ,all you grandpas and grandmas out there, I bet you can remember knocking round in the “latest” olive green or sky blue Mini Coopers back in the 60s and 70s. Let’s face it: they were a pretty hot pair of wheels back in those days. And they are today. BMW knew that good things are never worth changing, and that is why they have produced the modern and chic Mini Coopers that we see today. The basic front wheel drive, engine at the front and drop-off backside are still all there, except that they are now funky looking modern machines that look gorgeous whichever line of sight you care to place them. The googly eyes, low front air dam, steep raking front windscreen and a high waistline give the car its own sporty looks that few hot hatches can match.

And they’re a great drive even if you’re nowhere near being a grandma or grandpa yet. Everybody will love the Mini Cooper D.

The Mini Cooper is available with petrol engines, but for those of you who can see the light there is also a very nice Mini Cooper D. The D stands for diesel, and what a diesel it is! The frugal economy and long lasting engine life comes as part and parcel of the superb Mini chassis. You can rip-snort through the corners and have smooth creamy torque to pull you quickly out of the bend and on to the straight – just like a good diesel should. Under the bonnet of the Mini Cooper D, you will find plenty of useful pulling power and, with 240 Nm, it’s all there from low down in the turbo-diesel engine rev range. The fun of driving a Mini is all about cornering. You are left with a great big smile after spending a good half hour putting the taut chassis through its paces along a twisting back road. The little car feels very refined and solid even over road undulations and varying road surfaces – a real credit to the masterful BMW engineers. With only a little over 1000 kg to throw around, the Mini Cooper D versions a hoot to drive.

Versions? Yep, they come in a number of funky styles to suit your tastes and requirements. There is the Mini Cooper D Hatchback 3dr, the Mini Cooper D Chilli hatchback 3dr (with a little more spice) and the Mini Cooper D Chilli wagon 5dr (my pick). The wagon just adds that extra bit more luggage space into the mix. Perhaps it’s showing my requirements with the small family that I have.

Inside the Mini Cooper D, the interiors are outstanding. The build quality is sensational, the style is infectious, and the coolness value one just can’t put a money value on it. The seats are very good for a long journey and the sound system rocks something wild! Seat yourself inside the Mini, and you’ll enjoy electric windows, air-conditioning, sat nav, optional leather seats and of course a premium sounding CD/cassette system. These things are safe as well. All Mini Cooper versions come with eight airbags, no less.

Drive a hot set of wheels and test out the sounds. I recommend a Dire Straits number, and wind it right up!

The current model series includes:

• Mini Cooper D hatchback 3dr manual 6spd 1.6DT
• Mini Cooper D Chilli hatchback 3dr manual 6spd 1.6DT
• Mini Cooper D Chilli Wagon 5dr manual 6spd 1.6DT

For any more information on the Mini Cooper D, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!) we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Mini dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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