Aside from the deafening noise created around the Diesels, let's get to the facts. Diesel engines are greener than ever. And by ecological it is understood that they can even get the better of gasoline engines in terms of emissions (not only CO2 but also NOX).
The merit lies in the exhaust gas treatment technologies that have made these very economical polluters one of the most environmentally friendly solutions. The problem is, at the moment, for me, in public opinion.
Not only because of the scandals surrounding the Diesels, but also because of a political agenda that, for reasons that are difficult to understand, want to bury this technology by force.
do bad
Burying the Diesels is a bad decision. It only took a few days behind the wheel of the MINI Cooper D 1.5 116hp to realize this.
This three-cylinder engine does a very good job of itself, without providing the occupants with excessive vibrations or noise. The 116 hp response and the pleasantness of use is more than convincing — in fact, far more convincing than on the BMW 116d we tested. Otherwise, the 9.3s from 0-100 km/h speak for themselves.
As for consumption, making averages below 5 l/100 km is very easy
The only problem with this engine, if the city is your main habitat, is the fact that its exhaust gas treatment technologies require longer operating periods than the typical “stop-start” — hence, today, no one advise Diesel engines for the city.
If, on the contrary, you take longer shots on the road and the motorway, there's no doubt about it: choose Cooper D . It costs just 1300 euros more than the petrol version, has similar performance and much more reasonable consumption.
Dynamically MINI Cooper
Driving a MINI is an experience unlike any other car in this segment. Anyone who has ever driven a MINI knows what I'm talking about…
The steering is heavier than usual to increase the feeling and the chassis/suspension set like to be teased.
All these details together with the 116hp diesel engine make the little MINI an excellent partner for more dynamic driving. The good thing about all this is that while the MINI is effectively firm, it's not uncomfortable at all.
I confess that for my personal taste, even in the less aggressive setting, the steering remains excessively heavy , but when fun becomes the priority, this detail takes a back seat.
different inside and outside
Talking about a MINI without talking about design is almost impossible. The differences we noticed in terms of road posture extend to its 'out of the bubble' appearance.
There are those who like it and there are those who don't… sorry, I think everyone likes it.
Inside, the MINI also takes on that difference. We have several items that can be configured to our liking, making it almost impossible for two MINIs to be exactly alike. There is money, because the most eccentric items are on the optional list and are not cheap.
Swipe the interior image gallery:
What's not “at all cheap” is the MINI Cooper D itself. The base price of the Cooper D version is €25,900, but as I wrote above, if you spend a few minutes choosing options, the final price will easily exceed €30,000 — the unit we tested amounted to 34,569 euros!
Is it a lot of money? No doubt. But the MINI Cooper D is a premium model, and that can be seen in the quality of materials, attention to detail, exclusivity and, of course, in the price.