More new MINIs that look rather like old new MINIs. But there's plenty of change under the skins of these two new range-broadening models, the One and the Cooper D. To be shown at the
Geneva Motor Show, they will be on UK sale in April.
The diesel has seen the most change, moving up the range from being an entry-level
One D to the styling tweaks and improved dynamics of a Cooper. The under-powered 1.4-litre diesel lump has gone, replaced by a new 110bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre unit, with 192lb.ft of torque on overboost - the same number offered by the
new Cooper S. The claim of 64mpg on the Combined Cycle is only a 6mpg improvement over the old car, but the Cooper D will sit in the second-lowest tax band with 118g/km CO
2 emissions. That means car tax of only £50 a year.
The new MINI One is also more economical - 49mpg on the Combined Cycle rather than 41 - and emits much less (138g/km, down from a heady 164g/km). Part of the improvement is down to the six-speed gearbox, which is standard across the new range. You can also now have a six-speed auto' on the One.
Performance has also been given a boost in both, with the One a little quicker (0-62mph in 10.9 seconds, 115mph) and the Cooper D quite substantially faster (9.9 seconds and 121mph) - hardly surprising given that its predecessor started life with 75bhp, before getting to 88bhp.
And the cost? £11,595 for the One (£840 more than the 2001 launch model) and £14,190 for the Cooper D. But that's before you look at MINI's infamously long and tempting options list!
We'll be at the Geneva Show and watch out for our review of the new MINIs on the
MINI Road Tests page.
Richard Dilks - 18 Jan 2007
