Drive off with a clean diesel; The Mini Cooper D tops some hybrids

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), August 15, 2008

Byline: BY STEVE HUGHES

THE confusion surrounding alternative fuels and the related technology is leading new car buyers to miss a trick.

A YouGov Plc survey commissioned by Mini found that diesel cars are thought to be behind hybrid models for cleanliness.

Yet the 104g/km CO2 emitted by the sporty Mini Cooper D is a figure that equals, and in many cases beats other cars using alternative technologies, including hybrids.

In a poll designed to gauge public understanding of CO2-related issues in the car purchase process, just 3% of the 2,018- strong sample believed that a diesel-fuelled vehicle could be considered a low source of carbon emissions. Yet the Mini Cooper D's 104g/km is identical to the hybrid-powered Toyota Prius and lower than the 109g/km achieved by the Honda Civic Hybrid.

Car models listed in the survey were the Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Mini Cooper D, Ford Focus 1.6 Duratorq TDCi and Citroen C4 1.6 HDI.

A quarter of the survey's respondents believed the Honda Civic Hybrid was the lowest carbon-emitting vehicle from a list of five models. Just 2% plumped for the Mini Cooper D, misled by the sporty implications of the Cooper badge.

Along with the rest of the Mini hatch range, the Cooper D features a number of engineering enhancements.

Brake Energy Regeneration removes the need for a traditional alternator and reduces drag on the engine, thereby saving fuel.

The Auto Start-Stop function cuts out the engine when the car is brought to a halt and reengages on depressing the clutch, again increasing fuel efficiency.

Switch Point Display indicates to the driver the best gear for frugal driving. These technologies, as well as the variable turbine geometry applied to the Mini Cooper D's turbocharger combine to make a torquey, yet economical and low-emitting sports hatch.

CAPTION(S):

POLL - the public were unaware of the Mini's credentials