The new year brings a series of changes and upgrades for the BMW Group's MINI models with the presentation of a new range of petrol engines that offer more power and torque while reducing both emissions and fuel consumption as well as new model variants. Even better, MINI said that the powerplant upgrades will not affect pricing that remains the same.
Beginning from March 2010, all First, One, Cooper and Cooper S models in the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman ranges will be equipped with a new and improved version of MINI's petrol engine.
In particular, the MINI First and One models will now be fitted with a 1.6 liter engine, replacing the 1.4-liter unit. The new engine conforms to both European EU5 and U.S. ULEV 11 emissions standards
In the entry-level MINI First, the 1.6-liter unit produces the same output as the 1.4L engine at 75HP, but torque is up by almost 17 per cent at 140 Nm.
As a result fuel consumption in the EU cycle is 5.4 lt/100km (52.3 UK mpg or 43.5 mpg US) and CO2 emissions 127 g/km. Top speed of the MINI First is 175km/h or 109 mph while the 0-62 mph (100km/h) acceleration takes 13.2 seconds.
The same unit delivers an output of 98HP and 153Nm of torque (+3HP and +9% torque from before) in the MINI One that returns 5.4 lt/100km (52.3 UK mpg or 43.5 mpg US - same as the 75HP unit) on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 127 g/km.
With this engine, the One's top speed rises to 186km/h or 116 mph and zero to 62 mph (100km/h) acceleration takes 10.5 seconds, a 0.4 second improvement over the previous model.
The MINI One Clubman also benefits from the same powertrain improvements and offers 0-62 mph in 11.1 seconds and a top speed of 185km/h or 115 mph. EU cycle fuel consumption falls to 5.5 lt/100km (51.4 mpg UK or 42.8 mpg US) and emissions to 129 g/km.
MINI's best selling model, the Cooper receives a small power hike to 122HP (+3 hp) and peak torque of 160 Nm at 4,250 rpm helping the hatch to reach 100km/h (62 mph) in 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 204km.h or 127 mph.
Always according to MINI, the 2010 Cooper achieves 5.4 lt/100km (52.3 UK mpg or 43.5 mpg US) and emits 127 g/km of CO2.
Finally, the 2010 Cooper S' 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged engine has been tweaked and now produces 9 hp more peak power at 184HP while peak torque is 240 Nm, delivered from as low as 1,600 rpm through to 5,000 rpm (260Nm with the overboost function).
The Cooper S Hatch sprints from 0 to 100km/h (62 mph) in exactly 7 seconds and can go up to a top speed of 228 km/h or 142 mph. MINI says that the Cooper S' combined fuel consumption of 48.7 UK mpg (5.8lt/100km or 40.5 mpg US) is lower by 3.1 mpg, while CO2 emissions are now 13 g/km lower at 136 g/km.
In addition, the 2010 Cooper S manual models will be fitted with a new self-adjusting clutch with carbon coated linings that is said to reduce service costs and improve pedal feel and gear synchronisation.
Also new for 2010 is the introduction of the entry-level MINI ONE Convertible that is powered a 98HP version of the 1.6-liter petrol engine. The four-seater drop top accelerates from 0-100km/h (62 mph) in 11.3 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 180km/h or 112 mph while recording an average fuel consumption of 5.7 lt/100km (41.3 mpg US or 49.6 mpg UK).
Finishing up with the changes/updates for 2010 MINI, the British firm has also announced the availability of the Clubman Graphite Special Edition model that features the same Dark Silver paintwork and special equipment of the hatch model, as well as three new Rainbow paint options for all models.
