Can you imagine any car achieving more than 72 mpg?
Well, if BMW is not doing a little spinning, then expect the Mini Cooper D to reach those numbers. In fact, mileage will be 72.4mpg.
This is possible, says BMW, because of improvements to the engine. According to The York Press article, the refinements to the engine that makes all of this possible through three systems: a Brake Energy Regeneration system, an Auto Start-Stop Function, and a Switch Point Display package.
The Brake Energy Regeneration system recycles energy from the car's breaks, thus saving fuel. The Auto Start-Stop function switches the engine off when the car is stopped or in neutral. When the driver pushes in the clutch, the engine restarts. Finally, the Switch Point Display selects the most economical gear.
All three systems come for no extra cost. It is expected that combine fuel consumption will increase by nearly 13 percent. Previously mpg was 64.2.
The systems will be standard on new MINI Coopers across the line starting in August. BMW has not announced if the Cooper D will be crossing the pond. Our take is that it will be though much of it depends how diesel is received by the American public.