| First Drive | Somerset, England | MINI Cooper SD |
Key Facts
Pricing: £18,750 (hatch)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cyl turbodiesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: three-door hatchback
Rivals: SEAT Ibiza FR, Renault Mégane dCi 160, Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.6 JTDm
CO2 emissions: 114g/km
Combined economy: 65.7mpg
Top speed: 134mph
0-62mph: 8.1 seconds
Power: 141bhp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 225lb.ft at 1,750-2,700rpm
In the Metal:
Save for a small, red 'SD' badge on the boot, this MINI is identical in appearance to the petrol-engined Cooper S. That includes typical hot hatch features like the modest air intake on the bonnet, a generous amount of mesh over the air intakes, a boot spoiler and lots of additional black plastic to flare the arches and bumpers.
It's the same deal inside, with the usual stylish array of chromed toggle switches on the centre console and a dash dominated by the huge, circular speedo and infotainment screen. Build quality is impressive thanks to parent company BMW's input but four seats and a 160-litre boot limit its practicality.
Driving it:
If you've driven a petrol-powered MINI Cooper S then the SD will seem more than familiar, but the engine is the big news here. It's a torquey thing producing 225lb.ft, which is even more mid-range clout than the petrol flagship John Cooper Works model can muster. That makes it a good point-to-point car when the turbo spools up. It's easy to leave the Cooper SD in third or fourth gear on a fast, winding road and just steer and brake.
Purists won't go in for the SD over the petrol Cooper S or JCW, though. Punchy though the diesel is, it doesn't feel like a hot hatch engine. Even after pushing the Sport button, which sharpens up the steering, throttle response and the exhaust soundtrack, there's still an audible clatter and it doesn't quite have the character of the petrol versions.
It's still a fun little car, though. The SD has suitable reserves of grip, strong brakes, a short-throw gearbox and weighty, if a little artificial, steering. Torque steer is exceptionally well maintained by MINI's own system, specifically designed to counteract it. It automatically applies the brakes in small doses to cancel out wheel wriggling during aggressive acceleration.
What you get for your Money:
Prices start at £18,750 for the Cooper SD hatchback and there's huge scope to add more spec and personalisation features. The asking price increases significantly with each body style - £19,790 for the Clubman, £21,130 for the Convertible, £23,185 for the two-wheel drive Countryman and £24,440 for the four-wheel drive version. Budget an extra grand or so for an automatic, too.
Though it doesn't have the panache of the MINI, SEAT's Ibiza TDI FR costs £1,620 less than the hatch and has more power and torque along with very similar performance figures. Economy and emissions are slightly inferior, but not enough to make a big difference.
Worth Noting
MINI's onslaught of new models is no secret, and the company has now confirmed that the Coupé will arrive at the end of 2011, followed by the Roadster in the first quarter of 2012, completing a six-model range. Both of the newcomers will also be available in Cooper SD guise from the off.
Summary
If you want a MINI hot hatch in the purest sense of the phrase then go for the JCW - or even the petrol-fuelled Cooper S. The Cooper SD can't match either of those in terms of all-out entertainment, but its frugality makes it a sound prospect for anyone that covers big miles and fancies a giggle when the mood takes them.