New Mini SD will be marque's most powerful diesel yet

COMING just months after the launch of the Mini Countryman and the new Mini Family, Mini has announced that the Mini Cooper SD will be the most powerful diesel variant in the Mini line-up.

The new 2.0 litre/143hp available in all Mini body types – Hatch, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman will deliver more power, frugal fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.

Not only will it be the most performance-oriented diesel Mini, the Mini Cooper SD will also feature the largest displacement power unit ever to grace the engine compartment of a Mini model in the marque’s 52 year history.

The two litre four cylinder power unit follows the design philosophy of the familiar 1.6 litre engine but produces 143hp at 4,000 rpm, almost 28 per cent more than the Cooper D and nearly 60 per cent above that of the One D. Unsurprisingly its power, allied to a mighty torque figure of 305 Nm (225 lb-ft) from 1,750 to 2,700 rpm, the highest torque value of any Mini engine, even the engines within the John Cooper Works family, endows the Cooper SD with vivid performance: in the case of the Hatch a top speed of 134mph and a 0-62mph acceleration time of 8.1 seconds.

The new Mini SD hatch is priced at £18,750, with the top-spec Countryman ALL4 costing £23,190.

Also launching in the UK in March is a new Special Edition Mini Clubman, the Mini Clubman Hampton and a new Special Edition Hatch, the Mini Pimlico. A new Sports Pack option will add spice to the Hatch and Convertible ranges.

Go to www.mini.co.uk for full details.