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Mini One D bests Honda Insight with 60mpg

Mini One D bests Honda Insight with 60mpg

Marty Padgett July 6th, 2009 Marty Padgett By Marty Padgett Executive Editor July 6th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 The Mini Cooper isn't the first car you'd associate with the environmental movement, but with its frugal four-cylinder engines and the new Mini E battery-operated version, the Cooper's green credentials are considerable. Now Mini's buffing the inexpensive, high-miler Cooper it sells in Europe as the Mini One. While other Minis get diesel engines, too, the new Mini One D has a special 90hp (67kW) version of a BMW Group oil-burner that turns in the equivalent of 6mpg fuel economy. The One D also includes regenerative braking that supplies juice for accessory power, and stop-start functionality to save gas in traffic and city driving. Mini won't actually be selling the diesel One in America, but it's not too early to imagine future Coopers coming with the fuel-efficient drivetrain. For one, BMW's been a huge diesel proponent, from its X5 sport-ute to its newly minted 335d four-door sedan. And in this application, the acceleration's not so bad. The One D's 0-60 mph time of 11.5 seconds isn't that far off a 2010 Honda Insight in acceleration, and fuel economy's comparable, if not better. Top speed in the Mini One D hits 113 mph, too. More on Mini's new green cars is coming from the 2009 Frankfurt auto show. Stay tuned.
What's all the fuss about fun? Mini's new diesel One gets 60mpg, so don't complain

What's all the fuss about fun? Mini's new diesel One gets 60mpg, so don't complain

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The Mini Cooper isn't the first car you'd associate with the environmental movement, but with its frugal four-cylinder engines and the new Mini E battery-operated version, the Cooper's green credentials are considerable.

Now Mini's buffing the inexpensive, high-miler Cooper it sells in Europe as the Mini One. While other Minis get diesel engines, too, the new Mini One D has a special 90hp (67kW) version of a BMW Group oil-burner that turns in the equivalent of 6mpg fuel economy. The One D also includes regenerative braking that supplies juice for accessory power, and stop-start functionality to save gas in traffic and city driving.

Mini won't actually be selling the diesel One in America, but it's not too early to imagine future Coopers coming with the fuel-efficient drivetrain. For one, BMW's been a huge diesel proponent, from its X5 sport-ute to its newly minted 335d four-door sedan. And in this application, the acceleration's not so bad. The One D's 0-60 mph time of 11.5 seconds isn't that far off a 2010 Honda Insight in acceleration, and fuel economy's comparable, if not better. Top speed in the Mini One D hits 113 mph, too.

More on Mini's new green cars is coming from the 2009 Frankfurt auto show. Stay tuned.

Tags: Hatchbacks

Posted in: 2006, Honda, MINI, News, Insight, Cooper


Comments (5 total)

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  1. ma_daniel86 avatar by daniel86 #1, Posted: 7/6/2009

    Should be a great car.

  2. ma_justinhk2000 avatar by justinhk2000 #2, Posted: 7/6/2009

    But i would like to carry 5 people in my car especially on a roadtrip with my friends, and the mini can barely fit 4 people in comfort for long rides. And the cargo space sucks, i can put a small shipping box back there and that takes up the entire trunk.

  3. ma_uragan avatar by uragan #3, Posted: 7/6/2009

    Cars like this represent the future of efficient motoring, at least short-term.

  4. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #4, Posted: 7/6/2009

    I would buy one of these over the Insight, but I prefer diesels

  5. ma_bepsf avatar by bepsf #5, Posted: 7/6/2009

    "The One D also includes regenerative braking that supplies juice for accessory power, and stop-start functionality to save gas in traffic and city driving."

    Um - it's a diesel, so it doesn't save GAS - it saves FUEL.

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