Title says it all. Anyone know when they will be available and how does the performance compare to the current gas engines.

(I heard early this fall) and 65 mpg too

 

High MPG yes.....there is a youtube video of a Cooper D somewhere....

....I'll be surprised if they get the EPA clearance for the engine.....that is why there are so few Euro vehicles with diesels here in the US

 

There are two factors in play. Mini is a boutique car (limited production in comparison to VW). Some of Mini's biggest markets are the states that have pollution restrictions almost as tough as California's which severely limit NOx emissions for cars (no diesel car for you!). Mini USA thinks it's not worthwhile to bringing the D over if they cannot sell in those markets. That's the scuttlebutt I've heard.

 

One is honda and I don't remember what the other is, but I don't think it's BMW. The other system uses a pretty fancy multi cat system that has some molecular sieves that store up the NOx, and then convert it first to ammonia and then into N2. Takes some really fancy engine management to do it.

That's the only system that will make it into small cars for diesel in the US. Small cars don't really have the room for the urea tank needed for the Bluetec type system like Mercedes uses.

Anyway, there's lots of info on these systems if you care to dig it up.

Don't hold your breath for a Mini diesel here anytime soon (4 years or so).

Matt

 

Probably never. Diesels emit small particulates that are considered HUGE human health risks by US federal and some state air resources boards. Even when the particulates problem is resolved, they will not recant. It's principle with them. Once they've dug their heels in about something, they won't change their view point even when presented with boxes of data.

The opinions expressed in this post are based on actual experience. Mileage for your experience may vary.

 

yes deisels emit particles, but there have been and are traps for the particulates. They end up getting burned and converted to gasses. Really, that's just a cost issue. There are deisels coming to the US for passenger cars, for 50 state sale, with two competing technologies to scrub the exhaust. The urea based exhaust treatment is held up because the US likes the emissions system to not need any service for 100k miles, and the tanks need replenishing. This is the current hold up. I was talking to someone in diesel technology last week and he was saying that they way they are going to deal with this is the car will go into limp mode if you don't fill your tank in a timely manner. The non-urea systems are just showing up in the R&D labs, and I'm not sure when they are expected to come to market.

Matt