Thursday, June 2, 2011

Mini Cooper SD: first contact

The news is that they put a two thousand in the boot of a Mini. Never in its history, the little English he had received a dowry of a motor that big. But now in full time of downsizing, comes home to enrich the offer of the exaggerated range Cooper SD. The BMW Group engineers took their 2.0 turbo diesel in powerstep 143 hp and 305 Nm el'hanno given to all Mini models: hatch, convertible, Clubman, Countryman.

The result? Come and see us in the second part of the article. Mini Cooper SD: first contact the new Mini Cooper SD recognize at first glance. Their aesthetics is the same as petrol sisters, the Cooper S: the front bumper with the generous air intake, engine cover, the central twin exhaust, spoiler on the roof are common in gasoline and diesel.

Few, very few differences, in fact only be summed up in the logo on the tailgate. The same applies a fortiori to the unique interior, where the setting is absolutely identical to that of the Cooper S, with the same body. Even the skeleton of SD is the same as Cooper Cooper S with the 1.6 turbo petrol.

That means especially rigid structure and designed for maximum driving pleasure, starting of course from architecture with McPherson front and multilink rear. A clear research in a particular way on hatch and convertible, as we shall see. The only differences relate to the calibration of springs and front shocks, by force of circumstances specific to the diesel engine that has a heavier burden on the fore.

However, these details, because the 2.0 mark is just a few pounds more than the 1.6 on the scale of the Cooper D. On SD Cooper finally, there is the Sport button, which improves the dynamic performance by acting on the suspension, steering and throttle, and stability control is switched off completely.

No doubt the engine is the highlight of Cooper SD. The four-cylinder turbodiesel delivers 143 hp approx 4000 rpm and 305 Nm between 1750 and 2700. The basic design features of the new diesel are identical to those fitted to the 1.6-liter Cooper One D and D. The aluminum base contributes to weight reduction, while the variable geometry turbo on the intake side ensures ideal power delivery at all engine speeds.

The engine of the MINI Cooper SD has a specific supercharging system, whose operation is controlled electronically. The system of common-rail direct injection is the first generation, and take with solenoid injectors with hydraulic actuator and can work up to a maximum pressure of 1600 bar.

The Cooper SD are also fitted as standard system Minimalism. With Brake Energy Regeneration, function and start & stop the Gear shift indicator, fuel consumption and emissions are particularly low. Another solution "clever" is the installation of diesel particulate filter near the engine, a position that ensures a more efficient operation due to higher temperatures reached in the same DPF in this way.

The regeneration of the filter is done without requiring the injection of additional fuel. Like all the current Mini models, including the new diesel variants meet the emission standard Euro 5. Cooper SD However, the nature of things, not the whole ecology and reduce consumption. The diesel engine differs from other sounds for a very angry, clear signal of its sports performance.

On the sedan, the 0-100 is covered in 8.1 seconds and top speed is 215 km / h, all against a demand for fuel on the combined cycle of 4.3 liters per 100 km and emissions of CO2 114 g / km. The Clubman is slightly worse, with a 8.6-s 0-100, top speed of 215 km / h, average fuel consumption of 4.4 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of GKM 115.

With acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 210 km / h, the Convertible also offers more than adequate performance setting of the car, against a consumption of 4.5 l / a value of 100 km and CO2 emissions of 118 g / km. The Countryman Finally, the 2.0 turbodiesel is available with either front-wheel drive and with the full All4.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 requires 9.3 s for the first and 9.4 for the second. The maximum speed is respectively 198 and 195 km / h. As for the consumption Cooper SD Countryman with front-wheel drive makes record 4.6 l/100 km, while the all-wheel drive variant stood at 4.9. The CO2 emissions finally, are respectively 122 and 130 g / km.

The new diesel-powered models are equipped as standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but from the moment of launch is offered as an optional six-speed automatic transmission, which will be offered the opportunity to always-on demand-even on Cooper D. As part of the newly formed Cooper SD range we have got to try the Convertible and the Countryman.

Two very different course proposals for their dynamic behavior, with the first lot that looks like the sedan for its uncompromising character, and the second has instead un'approccio decidedly more "adult". Since the discovery. COOPER CABRIO SD at the first hole you see, or rather, you remember, rather, what it means to "upgrading drive." No, decidedly, the Mini, especially in these versions sports car is anything but comfortable.

Every hole, every disconnection, each joint is transmitted to the interior of the asphalt and remains etched in memory. Choosing a Mini knows his limits, but also knows that will be repaid with other gifts from first class, in terms of driving dynamics. The real novelty of the model, as mentioned above, consists of the motor.

And his most characteristic trait is the rage, especially evident on the Convertible. The two-liter, 143 hp welcomes you right from power with the roar of diesel and typical decibel increases with the regime. So much so that, considering the tone of his voice, the sound at certain speeds it becomes unpleasant.

Needless to say, if you like the melody, give up a bit 'as a couple and go straight on the Cooper S. Speaking of couples, on the other hand it must be said that there was never happened before to meet a Mini with characteristics similar dispensing. Absolutely amazing the fury with which the car out of corners.

Just keep the engine above 1300 rpm and that's it: every touch of the gas throughout the rev range, with the pace of state, is a leap forward from the effects hilarious. Wait a minute, and six in the tail of the car just seconds before was far more than ten meters. The credit, of course, is the six-speed automatic transmission mounted on the sample we tested.

The transmission does nothing but enhance the elasticity and muscle tone of the 2.0 turbodiesel. Although we must recognize that the manual selection mode is not the top, either by the logic of the paddles of the grafts (scale is pushing forward, pulling you climb), or for a certain over-intrusive software.

No objection but the speed of the grafts themselves. Full, smooth, with a significant extension to be a diesel, four-cylinder diesel in short, the Mini convertible makes a toy agile, flexible and always ready to accommodate the pilot's most vibrant and demanding. And that steering incomparable past ten years is a pride of the Mini, is there to make him worthy to appear when you close the vein in the mixed.

Heavy the right, it transmits a feeling unknown to the vast majority of modern cars and above all is ready, very ready to meet any command. We wrote it in DNA, and you understand the first few corners. Time to throw an eye to the crease, giving the right steering wheel angle and bam, the nose is already there in a flash in the corner, to trace the exact path I had in mind.

What Goduria. COOPER SD Countryman's speech is inevitably different for the Countryman, we tested six-speed manual transmission and front wheel drive. As we said before, the Mini SUV has not the contradictions of the sedan or convertible, does not require special sacrifices to its occupants, has a frame as soft as a diving platform.

And for these qualities is its also a bit 'less' special' sister. Oh God, it is true that after a long trip with the Countryman go down you're still fresh as a daisy, but it is clear that the crossover is the most mature and rational range. The car set swallows the bumps well, even with the tires of our exaggerated example, el'insonorizzazione not leave too much room for criticism.

More "car" and less "kart", Cooper SD Countryman has a smooth and regular behavior, but mind you, is not going floor with all that horse (and the pair) in the hood, the pounds seem to vanish, and performance enough to ask the right foot, which are now out. Clearly, when you get off the Cabrio and get into a subject that start at a disadvantage on the scale of a few pounds, you can not expect the same cat-like agility, or the same telepathic steering control.

But the fact remains that on the road, the Countryman is one of the finest small SUV to drive at all. Even she, however, is exempt from criticism. The sample we tested was equipped with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, which presents some limitations in terms of maneuverability using busy.

The clutch is commendable for its lightness, but the lever does not adequately convey the best feeling in the quick change. A certain fatigue have also demonstrated the brakes at the end of the day. Get off at the Raticosa avalanche, with a curb weight estimated at nearly 1600 kg has not been pleasant for the plant.

The bite came a little 'less in the first few inches of pedal drive, but it must be said for the record than ever, its effectiveness has declined at an alarming rate: absolutely physiological fatigue. What most surprised us was the Countryman his unwavering stability. High center of gravity, attitude of compromise between the requirements of handling and comfort, traction only on the front wheels, torque and so wet.

The elements that were ruining his own all day. Yet you, thanks to the rubber and the excellent work done by its suspension, able to work in a uniform manner the tread did not make a turn, even when it was deliberately provoked. Understeer even talking about it, not even the shadow of torque steering, brake roll well, grip bombproof.

What more do you want? Simple. A frame that performs well even in electronic braking. Well, with some awe, given the conditions, we turned off. And he has remained as it was when it took the reins: genuine, sincere, reassuring. The prices of the newly formed Cooper SD range start from € 25,600 required for the sedan.

The Clubman is offered at € 27,650, the Countryman front-wheel drive to € 28,500, € 29,900 for the Convertible. For the four-wheel drive with Countryman All4 Finally, € 30,050 are required. Like-performance road holding and steering-manual transmission-not like a little switch-Sound (Convertible)

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