110 bhp Unit for MINI Cooper Diesel on the Horizon?

The MINI2 inbox has had an increasing number of “rumour” emails over recent months, and our ears have been burning as we’ve heard various whispers and hints from numerous sources. Something we’ve heard from more than one source concerned a planned high performance diesel version of the MINI.

It would appear the MINI One D could be a thing of the past, as MINI furthers it’s co-operation with gasoline engine partner PSA Group, it looks as though the engine currently powering the 206 GTi Diesel (among other Peugeot, Citroen and Ford motor cars), will be the unit to pull along the next generation MINI Diesel.

Initially we were under the impression the new Diesel would be around 90bhp (still a possibility as there is a 90hp version of this engine used, for example, in the Ford Fiesta Zetec S Diesel), however latest information leads us to believe quite firmly a version of the 110 bhp unit will be installed in the new MINI diesel, which BMW expect to account for more than 15% of overall MINI sales at it’s peak.

The 1.6-litre HDi (in PSA Group cars) / Duratorq TDCi’s (in Ford group cars) all-aluminium construction weighs a low 120 kilos. It is equipped exclusively with a 16-valve cylinder head
derived directly from the head used on the 1.4-litre HDi/Duratorq TDCi, whose engine
block displacement was increased to 1,560 cc by increasing both the stroke (by 6.3 mm)
and bore (by 1.3 mm) to produce this 1.6 litre version.

The engine block of the 110 hp version is made of pressure-cast aluminium.
To help enhance drivability and performance, the engine uses a Garrett Variable
Geometry Turbine (VGT) turbocharger developed especially for this engine. The size
and inertia of the VGT unit were optimised to achieve the fastest possible response
time, thus enhancing drivability.

The engine is manufactured at PSA Peugeot Citroën’s plant in Trémery, France., where they will be producing as many as 2,000,000 units a year, of which the MINI demands will hardly make a dent. Using such a high volume produced engine could also have advantages in terms of parts and aftermarket tuning and accessories, for those who are that way inclined!

Once again, we must highlight this is not officially confirmed, but we’re pretty confident that this engine (or a tweaked version of it) will the choice for the next generation MINI Diesel derivatives.

Article: MINI2