Green Car Reports - MINI Cooper Diesels May Be U.S. Bound: Report

Contrary to the myth that U.S. buyers don’t want diesels, MINI head Dr. Kay Segler reports that diesel MINI models are the most common request from its U.S. customers.

Segler told Car and Driver that, “We’re delighted to hear it,” before confirming that the brand is seriously looking into the possibility of importing diesels into the United States.

Don’t expect this to happen with the current, second-generation MINIs, since Segler admits that U.S. diesel models are a “medium term” consideration, not a short term one.

If that sounds vaguely ambiguous, there’s probably a good reason for it. At the moment, emission standards for diesel passenger cars differ between the U.S. and the E.U., but that changes in 2014 when the E.U. adopts the current (stricter) U.S. standard.

It’s not economical for manufacturers to certify diesels just for the U.S. market, especially when they won’t sell in the same volume as gasoline-powered equivalents. That changes in 2014, which is why we expect to see more diesel options in the future.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1072250_mini-cooper-diesels-may-be-u-s-bound-report

Confirmed: Mini Planning Another John Cooper Works GP Model

We’ve learned from a Mini executive that the company will build another hard-core John Cooper Works GP variant. The first GP model, sold in limited numbers for the 2006 model year, was more powerful and lighter than the contemporary Cooper S JCW on which it was based; these traits likely will carry over to the new one. (The first-gen car is pictured above.)


Figure on a very modest bump in output to 220 hp or so from the 208 on tap in the current JCW. It’s possible that the GP’s amped-up 1.6-liter turbo four will be tuned identically to the one scheduled for the upcoming John Cooper Works Countryman, as we were told that the mini-SUV will offer a touch more than 208 hp, too.

The original GP also featured an extensively revised suspension; the weight savings came through the removal of the rear seats and air conditioning. Similar modifications probably will be made to create the new car.

There was no word from Mini on timing, but we expect it to appear within the next year.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/confirmed-mini-planning-another-john-cooper-works-gp-model/