MINI USA has been trying to build a case to bring the diesel powered MINI to the US for some time now, but it looks like that isn't going to happen.
The main reason that we will not see a diesel powered MINI anytime soon has to do with costs. It would cost the automaker a significant investment to convert the European-spec diesel engine to US standards. Even if MINI were to charge 10-15% more for the diesel powered model, the automaker would still lose money. Charging 40-50% more would pay for the development costs, but who would actually buy it at that price? So it looks like we will have to wait another 4-5 years to get the diesel when the next-generation MINI is released.
Plans are still up in the air for an R60 based Cooper S D to make it to the US, but we'll see...
Full Story: MotoringFile
Comments (4)
Huh?
50% more...really? Mini is owned by BMW, which sells diesel powered cars in the US. Shouldn't the engineers already know what it would take to upgrade the current Euro diesel's to meet US regulations? Besides building said parts, what else is there to develop? It's not like, say Kia, which doesn't sell diesels to begin with (at least not in the US.)
I call BS on this. I think it's more realistic that Mini/BMW doesn't want the hassle of it until another european car company presses their hand.
Posted by Brian | July 29, 2009 12:37 PM
Posted on July 29, 2009 12:37
The mini diesel engine is a 1.6l Peugeot engine, not a BMW. There's word of a 2l model for next year with genuine BMW engine. The only BMW diesel sold in the US right now is the 3l twin turbo in 2 models. It looks more like BMW is testing the market.
From what I've read so far it is quite a task to modify a diesel engine to meet US environmental standards. And somebody needs to buy what you offer afterwards as well ($$). Call it BS if you want, I don't think it is that simple.
Posted by Bart | July 29, 2009 2:41 PM
Posted on July 29, 2009 14:41
Yea, we will have to wait another 4-5 years to get the diesel....
Word has it Ford and GM and Chrysler have all dropped plans for a diesel in their half tons. Chrysler cancelled their contract with Cummins for that engine. The big 3 have made yet another error I see it. A small business with pickup trucks, such a low cost to operate small diesel pickup would be a godsend.
There is a company in India that plans to start selling diesel pickups here in the USA late 2009, called Mahindra. An SUV is soon to follow.
Sorry to get off on a tangent. The market opportunity for the MINI will be missed. The MINI might best VW's TDI. Sad we here in the US won't get to compare.
Posted by wvo | July 29, 2009 3:11 PM
Posted on July 29, 2009 15:11
wvo
Word on Mahindra is stay away.
I believe they make a replica of an old Ford tractor and sell it in the US. They use ONE wire color and no harnesses.
They just have wires running everywhere. No organization at all. And they were allowed to build the thing exactly as it had been 50 years ago when Ford built it and they F'd it up. I guess other than that, the quality is supposed to be OK. But not great. But wiring is a problem.
That's if I'm thinking of the right company.
Posted by Teldar | July 30, 2009 5:06 AM
Posted on July 30, 2009 05:06