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MINI One D

Over the years, Mini owners have done some pretty bizarre things to their cars. Film legend Peter Sellers once ordered a Cooper with fake wickerwork on the sides, while Beatle Ringo Starr had his converted into a hatchback so he could carry his beloved drum kit.

By Mike Askew

May 2003

Over the years, Mini owners have done some pretty bizarre things to their cars. Film legend Peter Sellers once ordered a Cooper with fake wickerwork on the sides, while Beatle Ringo Starr had his converted into a hatchback so he could carry his beloved drum kit.

But while the Mini has appeared in many strange guises - including a giant Outspan orange and a 30ft tall Duckhams oil can in the Seventies - the concept of a diesel-powered version has never really taken off.

Until now, that is. In an effort to broaden the car's appeal - especially in countries such as France and Spain, where the diesel supermini is king - BMW is about to introduce the first- ever oil-burning MINI. Powered by the same 1.4-litre common-rail engine fitted to the excellent Toyota Yaris D-4D, the MINI One D delivers 75bhp to its front wheels - 15bhp less than the entry-level petrol powerplant.

However, what the oil-burner lacks in horsepower, it more than makes up for with torque. The turbocharged four-cylinder motor produces a healthy 180Nm of thrust at only 2,000rpm - 40Nm more than its petrol counterpart. But figures can be misleading, and on the open road, the MINI One D is something of a mixed bag. First the good news. Even from a cold start, the engine is incredibly refined. Although you are never in any doubt that there's a diesel motor humming away a few inches in front of you, it revs cleanly and freely all through the range.

The gearbox - a revised six-speeder borrowed from the Cooper S - is wonderfully precise and allows the driver to exploit the 1.4-litre's potential to the full. It also makes cruising a remarkably relaxed affair, with just over 2,500rpm showing on the tacho at 70mph.

However, there's no getting away from the fact that the MINI is heavy for its size. At 1,175kg, it weighs 160kg more than the identically engined Yaris. Because of this, the powerplant struggles to press home its torque advantage - especially when the terrain becomes hilly. Whereas some diesel superminis are happy to cruise up inclines in third gear, the MINI demands that you shift down to second, and this has a damaging effect on fuel economy.

BMW claims a combined cycle figure of 58.9mpg, yet the trip computer on our car read only 34mpg after a day's driving around the Isle of Man. Given that our long-term petrol One returns 31mpg, you have to wonder where the advantage is in paying extra for a diesel version. Performance is another area where some may find the One D disappointing. With a claimed 0-62mph time of 13.8 seconds, it's nearly a second slower than its Toyota counterpart - despite having an extra cog in the gearbox - and three seconds behind the entry-level petrol MINI. Thankfully, though, the diesel engine has done nothing to spoil the handling balance, which remains an absolute delight. The steering - now much quieter thanks to a revised hydraulic pump - is as precise as ever, while the sophisticated feel of the suspension marks the MINI out from any supermini rival.

The cabin, too, beats the competition on appearance and material quality. But both cars we drove had squeaky dashboards, which took the edge off the otherwise bulletproof feel. Finally, there's the question of price. Despite its charms, ΂£11,390 is a bit steep for a fairly spartan, non-air-conditioned, steel-wheeled supermini - especially as you can buy a fully loaded Yaris D-4D GLS, offering better economy, for over ΂£1,000 less. Sure, it's more refined and fun, but, in terms of value, the quality feel and BMW heritage may not be enough on their own if this MINI is to be a winner.

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FIRST OPINION

    The MINI One D is expensive for what it is and, if our early findings are anything to go by, not particularly economical. Although the chassis remains the car's strongest point, the engine seems to be at odds with the rest of the package. Fun but flawed.
 

AT A GLANCE

    All-new MINI One D on sale from 7 June, priced at £11,390
    Powered by 75bhp common-rail diesel supplied by Toyota
    Six-speed box is from Cooper S
     
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