Rumor alert: MINI Cooper S and Clubman diesels with plenty of power may be coming at you soon!
Spy photographers sneaking about Mini's testing facility in Germany caught on camera a couple of prototypes heading out for testing, but something seemed strange, which set the MINI Rumor dial on high.
This is what they saw: both models -- a standard Cooper and a Clubman -- sported some S-version styling cues, such as the central-mounted dual exhaust on the Cooper and the twin-tips and hood scoop on the Clubman. And this is what they heard: the distinct whine of a diesel engine. So this is what they're wondering: Is Mini working on souped-up S versions of its gas models to make way for a diesel option?
Considering that the standard Mini D puts out around 90 horsepower and the Cooper D boasts another 20 bhp, then these S versions could be packing upwards of 140 to 150 hp and, more importantly, over 200 lb.-ft. of torque from their 1.6-liter turbo diesels. That makes them powerful enough for the muscular-minded drivers in the U.S. yet frugal enough for the mileage misers who are one step away from going electric. The Geneva Motor Show in March may provide some early clues. Stay tuned...
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