I want one.

 

I wouldn't bet on it.

 

Not in the foreseeable future

 

Unless the EU matches the US's diesel emission standards (not going to happen) forcing MINI to change the motor (or drop diesel completely) I don't think the D will ever come to the US.

From what I understand VW, Merc, etc are not going to offer diesels in '07 as they convert their engines to properly burn the new low sulfite diesel that is getting phased in.

For me a turbo diesel hybrid MINI with plug in capabilities would be the sweet spot.

 

I have heard about some new clean diesel engines that meet U.S. standards. The first of this type of diesel engines is being sold on a few Mercedes models using a system called BLUETEC. I'm not familiar with all the technology behind it but if MINI adopted this technology in the future we could possibly see diesel MINIs.

 

They have changed the motor. You will be able to get a Cooper diesel...and no more Toyota diesel motor.

Check www.motoringfile.com for more info.

 

^But I still haven't heard anything about the Diesel coming to the U.S. I haven't slogged completely through the MINIUSA press releases but I would imagine that if the Diesel were coming to the U.S. we would have heard about it because it would be a fairly big deal. Right now I'm 99% sure it's just the Cooper and Cooper S in the U.S. and the diesel will still only be available in Europe.

 

Everything I have read anywhere says no Diesel in US. Does anyone know the differences is Diesel emission standards here and europe?

 

One problem is the fuel. Most fuel sold at the corner station can't be used in new passenger car diesel engines. Check the warning label next time you gas up.

That's where the emission requirements come in -- it's cleaner fuel that's required to get the new diesel engines in the US.

Of course MINI has a marketing challenge, as passenger diesel has a very bad reputation in the US.

 

but gaining support with bio-diesel.
4/5 of my friends that own a diesel cars, run bio-diesel.

 

They are right now changing to low sulfer diesel. I'll take one as soon as they come out!!! Go DIESEL!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I would't hold out too much hope for a Cooper diesel being available here.

 

Maybe sooner than you think ... BMW diesels coming in 2008. Perhaps the Cooper will show up after that:

http://news.windingroad.com/auto-new...north-america/

 

Actually, the E320 CDI is being sold for 2007, 45 state only. The Touareg V10 TDI for 2007 is 50 state legal.

The DC Bluetec with urea injection is on hold in the US until the EPA figures out how to properly regulate it (urea injection requires maintenance)

US Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel actually has less sulphur then Europe (15ppm vs. 500 ppm) and the new US diesel emissions are more stringent than Europe.

 

I think diesel will be a viable contender in the next few years, especially if gas prices continue to rise. People will want the increased fuel economy so they will be willing to forgive past perceptions of diesel in the U.S. (IMO)

 

I think many, including myself, would welcome a Cooper Diesel, even more so when the sulfur issue is ironed out.

 

My 2000 TDI NB never gets less then 46MPG. I can never figure out the logic behind allowing a car that gets only 8-10 MPG (GAS) but denying a car that gets 59MPG (MINI ONE D)

 

it's the particulates that are the problem. And don't hold your breath for any really small 50 state diesle any time soon. When they figure out how to deal with the urea injection and the new wave of cars comes over here, the system and the reserves needed so the car doesn't need a fill up of catalyst with every tank isn't small or light. So think larger cars (at least to start....)

Matt

 

I found that out after I posted for the Mercedes and didn't see the Touareg. Since car emission limits are calculated using cargo space the Touareg probably has a high threshold (and the mini doesn't have much of a chance).
Maybe they can swing it in the Clubman in '08.

 

it gets the same rules as the F-350s!

Matt

 

The VW Touareg is classified as a passenger car, actually SUV.

If it had the same rules as a Ford F-350, then VW would not have been mandated to post the EPA Fuel Economy estimates on the entire Touareg Lineup.

By your logic.... other similar sized SUVs including the X5, RX350, FX, etc.. are not passenger cars either.

 

are classified as "Light Trucks". They quote EPA figures, but have different rules for emissions....

Matt

 

Trucks like the F-250 and F-350 aren't necessarily considered light trucks.

For 2006 the Touareg TDI was pulled from the US VW lineup because it failed to meet the revising emissions standards. With the ULSD, the 2007 V10 TDI for some odd reason now meets the new emissions standards.

 

Then what the F-250 and F-350 necessarily considered then?

 

Not considered light trucks for the regular consumer world. The EPA has a different set of rules of those the heavier duty classes of trucks (such as the 1-ton trucks, in the F-250 & F-350 world).

The Touareg V8 and V6 are in Bin 5. Bin 1 through 8a all include Light Duty Vehicles, light-light duty trucks, heavy-light duty trucks, medium duty passenger vehicles.