Mini D - The Miserly Mini

Claimed to be the most fuel efficient car in Australia, the recently launched Mini D will add to the growing ranks of diesel powered small cars in Australia, with a host of technological breakthroughs that reduce emissions impact to a minimum.

The diesel version of the BMW Mini claims a miserly average fuel consumption of just 3.9 litres/100kms, and an even better 3.5litres/100kms on the highway cycle. That means that it has a range of over 1000kms. on one tank of diesel.

Put another way, if you travel an average of 12,000 kms a year, you’ll visit the forecourt just about once a month.

The Mini D is powered by a 1.6 litre turbo diesel , but it needs more than that to achieve such impressive economy levels. It features an auto start/ stop system that switches the engine off when you are stationary and engage neutral, for example when you are waiting at traffic lights or a busy road junction. Simply depress the clutch and the car will automatically and immediately start up again ready for you to engage gear and set off. It also has a multitude of fuel saving and emission cutting technologies such as electric power steering and brake energy regeneration that harvests the electrical and kinetic energy from the engine when not accelerating and when brakes are applied. It also switches off ancillaries such as the alternator and water pump until needed to reduce engine load and save fuel. It really is a matter of attention to detail in an effort to preserve fuel, aluminium is used to save weight where possible, and there’s even an underbody panel fitted to maximize airflow. There’s a gauge, too, that tells you when to change gear to maximize fuel economy.

The mini D is only available as a three door hatch and in two option packs, the Standard and the Chilli which costs a hefty $3500 more but has heaps of extras.

A six speed automatic is also an option, but if that is specified the stop/start feature is excluded.

Stylish, fun, fashionable, nippy ( 0-100k in 9.9 secs.) and now greenie friendly, the Mini D is bound to generate maxi appeal.