Mini small change

Mini has announced that its line-up of new models will soon be completed by the introduction of the entry-level One and Cooper D at the Geneva motor show.

A Cooper-badged diesel might sound like something of a contradiction in terms, but Mini's all-new turbodiesel sits resolutely at the 'economical' rather than 'blisteringly quick' end of the hot hatch scale.

The 1.6-litre 110bhp common-rail diesel breaks the 10-second barrier to 60mph - just - but returns an impressive 64.2mpg on the combined cycle.

Maximum torque is a less than terrifying 177lb ft at 1,750rpm, but BMW has fitted the Cooper D with an overboost function. This squeezes another 15lb ft of torque from the engine, putting the Cooper D on a pullin' par with the Cooper S, its petrol brother.

Overboost will be but a pipedream for the Mini One. The 1.4-litre engine - a scaled-down version of the 1.6-litre unit in the current Cooper model - puts out 95bhp and 103lb ft of torque.

Although 11 seconds to 60mph won't challenge much from the lights, the One is at least something of a fuel-sipper, returning 50mpg.

Both the One and Cooper D will be fitted with a six-speed manual 'box as standard. However, you can choose to specify a six-speed flappy paddle job on the One if you like that sort of thing. But you really shouldn't.

© Source: article on topgear