40 MPG in a MINI Cooper S

Think driving 'greener' requires sacrifice? Go motoring in a MINI for an attitude adjustment. The new MINI Cooper is just about the most fun you can have in a car that rates high environmental credentials. This car represents the state of the art in doing more with less.

The new MINI is manufactured by BMW Group in Oxford, Swindon, and Hams Hall England. British Motor Corp. (BMC) produced the original Mini in various configurations from 1959 until 2000 with production totaling 5.4 million cars. Reintroduced by BMW after a short hiatus from the world market in 2002, the new car retains the original's minimalist character and charm with modern safety, comfort, convenience, and performance. A second generation of the new car debuted in 2007 and while the car's overall proportions and look are retained, the new car is actually 2.4 inches longer than its predecessor.

Power comes from a BMW engineered, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with Valvetronic variable valve management. This engine is offered either naturally aspirated in the standard Cooper or with a twin-scroll turbocharger in the high-performance Cooper S. The base engine produces 118 horsepower and 114 lbs-ft of torque. Fuel economy figures are impressive, with 2008 EPA numbers for this engine with the six-speed Getrag manual transmission coming in at 37 mpg on the highway, 28 mpg in the city, and 32 mpg combined. The 2007 figures calculated under EPA's earlier testing regime were 40 mpg highway and 32 mpg city.

Our test car was the more powerful Cooper S. The twin scroll turbo makes a world of difference both in terms of horsepower and torque, delivering 172 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and importantly, 177 lbs-ft of torque. That generous torque is available from just 1,600 rpm all the way up to 5,000 rpm - not a typical turbo powerband. In the real world, a wide torque band allows you to drive the more powerful engine very efficiently when desired. We found that short-shifting (at lower than normal rpm) allowed the Cooper S to easily beat the 2008 EPA fuel economy rating of 34 mpg highway and 26 mpg city. Our best highway tank was slightly over 40 mpg, with a 37.8 mpg highway average. Mileage never dropped below 30 mpg around town. The MINI's 13.2 gallon fuel tank provides a highway range of 450 miles in economy mode.

Several factors contribute to the MINI's miserly fuel economy aside from its obvious space efficient size. The engine has very little parasitic drag from accessory belts. Power steering is electrically assisted rather than belt-driven hydraulic, and in this case proves that electric assist can be tuned for excellent response and road feel. The MINI also employs an alternator disconnect that only runs the alternator during braking and deceleration, given adequate battery charge. There is also a new Auto Start Stop function on the MINI that reduces wasteful idling by shutting the engine down when the manual transmission is shifted into neutral. The engine automatically restarts when the clutch is depressed as a driver puts the car in gear. The system can be defeated at the press of a button.

While very efficient, the MINI is really all about driving fun. The Cooper and Cooper S in particular are simply a blast to drive. This car connects you to the road and refuses to let the driver drone along on autopilot. It's quick, too. The Cooper S will sprint from 0-60 mph in just 6.7 seconds (look for about 8.5 seconds in the standard Cooper). Again, we were impressed with the low-end torque available in the Cooper S, a feature that makes this car easy to drive. You can lug it down in a gear that's a bit too tall and then roll back into the throttle, with the car accelerating without complaint.

On a two lane stretch of winding country or canyon road, the MINI is really in its element. You feel like you are wearing this car with steering, braking, and accelerator inputs providing precise control. Ask and the MINI answers. The ride is firm but not harsh, and while it can be a bit choppy at times over rough freeway expansion strips and city potholes, the MINI feels so planted you never feel like you are just along for the ride.

Okay, so the MINI isn't the perfect car for everyone. Rear seat legroom is minimal, but front seat space is ample and you can squeeze two adults back there for short trips. If you need a little more space, consider the new MINI Clubman which offers more rear seat legroom and considerably more trunk space. The interior is loaded with quirky controls, but they all function well and provide a refreshing break from the generic economy box that seems just plain boring by comparison.

MINI offers the Cooper D with a 1.6-liter diesel that produces 108 horsepower and 177 lbs-ft of torque (that's so impressive in the Cooper S) in Europe. With fuel economy in the 50+ mpg range, the Cooper D gives hybrids a run for their money. Keep your fingers crossed for a 50 state legal clean diesel version here in the States. We'll take ours in British Racing Green.

The Good: Performance, handling, economy, fun-to-drive factor
The Bad: Rear seat legroom
The Rating: 9 (out of 10)