The ‘Mini One D’ will make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on 4 March 2003. It will be the fourth model to join the Mini range and is the first series production mini ever to feature a diesel engine.
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The 4-cylinder 1.4 litre Mini diesel has been provided by Toyota, but Mini says it was specially modified for use in the Mini. The Mini One D engine produces 75 bhp and maximum torque of 180 Nm at just 2000 rpm. The direct injection diesel engine combines second generation Common Rail technology with a turbocharger featuring an intercooler. To save weight the cylinder head and crankcase are made from aluminium giving the Mini One D an unladen weight of 1,175 kg.
Mini says that fuel consumption in the combined cycle averages 58.9 mpg, and on 50 litres of diesel the Mini One D has a range of up to 625 miles. Mini also says that the six-speed manual transmission, which is fitted as standard on the Mini One D (and also the Mini Cooper S), has been specially adapted to the diesel engine’s characteristics in order to make the most effective use of the car’s power.
Mini claims the One D will do 0-62mph in 13.8 seconds, whilst in fourth gear 50 to 75 mph is achieved in 12.3 seconds. The sixth gear ratio has been reduced in order to lower the engine’s speed and fuel consumption on long distance journeys.
Toyota will sell about 15,000 engines a year to BMW for the Mini, to be shipped initially from Japan to the Mini factory in Oxford, England.
Toyota’s 1.4 litre diesel engine is also used in Toyota’s Yaris compact hatchback (known in some markets as the Vitz or Echo), some of which are assembled in France.
Toyota is expected to begin diesel engine production in France in 2003-04.
