A production benchmark is set while a new model promises exceptional fuel economy
One and a half million and counting
It was in May of 1959 when the first of the original Mini’s rolled off the British Motor Corporation’s assembly lines. Between that date and the ceasing of production in 2000, 5.3 million of the classic Minis were built.
On June 7th of this year, just weeks after celebrating the 50th birthday of the original Mini, the 1.5 millionth new MINI rolled off the production line at Plant Oxford.
BMW AG Board of Management member Ian Robertson had this to say of the event, “This is a great day for the plant and a wonderful milestone to reach in the 50th birthday year of MINI. The very first classic Mini rolled off the production line here at this plant on 8 May 1959.”
The 1.5 millionth vehicle, a Chili red MINI Clubman, is destined for a British customer.
MINI One D
Here in the states, the MINI Cooper has always been the entry point for new MINI customers, but in Europe, MINI shoppers have always been able to enter the market at a lower price point and performance level with the MINI One. The One comes equipped with a 1.4-liter 95 hp petrol engine and, equipped with a manual transmission, has a list price of £10,195.65 ($16,512) versus £11,795.74 ($19,103) for the Cooper version.
But up until now, the MINI One trim lacked the high-mileage diesel engine that was available in the European MINI Cooper D. That particular oversight will be taken care of in September when the MINI One D goes on sale with a de-tuned version of the 1.6-liter diesel from the Cooper D.
The current Cooper D is rated at 108 hp and 177 lb.-ft. of torque. When it finds its way to the One, the common rail direct injection turbocharged diesel engine will produce slightly lower figures – 90 hp and 159 lb.-ft. of torque. In addition to the compression ignition engine, the One D will also feature brake energy regeneration (when braking or coasting) to supply power to the vehicle’s battery for increased efficiency, as well as Auto Start Stop Function to switch off the engine when the vehicle is stopped at lights or in traffic.
The MINI One D will only be available with a six-speed manual gearbox and, as a comparison, the sprint from 0-60 will take nearly 3 seconds longer than the 8.5 seconds of the 1.6-liter equipped MINI Cooper.
One way to look at a trade-off, however, is fuel consumption. While the MINI Cooper (U.S.) is rated at 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway, certainly no slouch, the MINI One D has a European fuel economy rating of (U.S.) 50 mpg city/68 mpg highway and a combined fuel economy of (U.S.) 60.3 mpg.
Tags: BMW, british motor corporation, MINI, mini clubman, Mini Cooper, mini cooper d, mini one, mini one d, new mini
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