5:16 pm, August 16, 2011
BMW has placed a 2.0-litre engine in its Cooper S range to make the SD, but is it any good? JAMES BATCHELOR finds out
WHAT IS IT?
It’s a BMW 2.0-litre diesel engine installed into the Cooper S range of Minis – from hatch to Countryman. The Cooper SD has the highest amount of torque on tap in the model range. Its 305Nm of torque even beats the range-topping JCW’s torque figure. Eighteen per cent of Minis sold are diesels – the SD aims to improve this. We’re concentrating here on the predicted best seller – the hatch.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
A 2.0-litre engine closely related to the unit fitted in the BMW 118d. That means a hatchback which gets to 60mph in 8.1 seconds and manages 134mph while returning a remarkable MPG figure of 65.7. As you would expect with all that torque, low-down grunt is plentiful. But the diesel gruff sounds strange in a car that has the look and feel of the petrol Cooper S.
Click here to read our interview with Mini UK’s director
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
The Cooper SD hatch retails at £18,750 and comes as standard with the same equipment as the Cooper S. That includes 16-inch alloys, air-con, sports front seats and a choice of white, black or body-coloured roof. But Mini dealers know that few buyers will be buying the standard car. The range of personalisation is vast – and extremely costly.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The great thing about the Cooper SD is that along with its appearance, it also handles like the Cooper S. We’re concentrating on the hatch here and the petrol cousin’s direct and highly capable handling remains, with superb steering wheel feel and natty gearbox. Optional 17-inch alloys afford more grip and aid mid-corner grip, and the 305Nm of torque only adds to the great driving sensation.
WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK OF IT?
Autocar believes that the SD’s £740 premium over the S is ‘not bad’ and said that the car makes the most ‘economical sense’. The magazine also said that ‘it put a smile’ on their faces. MSN Cars were just as complimentary, saying that if customers want a ‘swift, economical, quality hot hatch with brilliant handling, that’s genuinely different, they must check out the Mini Cooper SD’.
WHAT DO WE THINK OF IT?
The idea of a ‘D’ badge tagged on to the legendary Cooper S name at first seems terrible. But the Cooper SD’s startling performance and even more alarming MPG figures will make customers see a diesel-engined Cooper S differently. Probably the closest rival in terms of performance is the Seat Ibiza FR TDI, but the Mini’s premium feel makes the car extra special.
