by Brian September 4, 2007 11:50 AM
Filed Under: European, Green, MINI
Unless you live in a part of the world where access to news and media is limited, its very difficult to avoid the global warming issue. As noble as the Green initiative may be, environmentalist tend to use alarmist methods to spread their message of an inevitable apocalypse. How do they know? Well, they looks for trends in the environment such as weather patterns, ripples in sensitive ecosystems and geological formations to name a few, but still they are unable to produce any hard evidence to support their theories. It's all just assumption which capitalizes on high emotion to convey a message of conservation. As a result, misinformation spreads and consumers who think they are contributing to saving the world are instead wasting a lot of time and money... and fun, according to MINI UK.
MINI UK has commissioned a survey to analyze public perceptions of CO2-related issues. The results were less than surprising. Out of 2018 completed surveys, only 3% (60.5) respondents believed that diesel fuel vehicles are a low source of carbon emissions and 25% respondents indicated that the Honda Civic Hybrid was the lowest carbon-emitting vehicle. However, the MINI Cooper D emits 104g/km CO2 which is equal to the Toyota Prius and lower than the Honda Civic Hybrid with 109g/km. Clearly if you are a car shopper who puts high value on CO2 emissions, you could be missing out on a vehicle with a lot more personality and fun factor for not considering the MINI Cooper D.
Despite the misconceptions, don't blame the environmentalists for pushing their agenda. Clearly, car manufacturers are responding to increasing public demand for greener cars with many new hybrid, bio-fuel, electric, natural gas and fuel cell products just starting to emerge into the marketplace. There is nothing wrong with green cars taking over. My only fear is one of ethics, in that the manufacturers start buying into the environmentalist propaganda to sell more green cars. In the meantime, give yourself permission to consider clean diesel cars.
Confusion surrounding alternative fuels and related technologies is leading new car buyers to miss a trick. A recent YouGov Plc survey commissioned by MINI found that diesel-powered cars are thought to be way behind hybrid models for cleanliness. Yet the 104g/km CO2 emitted by the sporty MINI Cooper D is a figure that equals, and in many cases beats other cars using alternative technologies – including hybrids.
In a poll designed to gauge public understanding of CO2-related issues in the car purchase process, just three per cent of the 2,018-strong sample believed that a diesel-fuelled vehicle could be considered a low source of carbon emissions. Yet the new MINI Cooper D’s 104g/km is identical to the hybrid-powered Toyota Prius and lower than the 109g/km achieved by the Honda Civic Hybrid.
Andy Hearn, General Manager for MINI UK, said: “Buyers looking for the most efficient cars could be missing out on the fun of driving a MINI. By developing sustainable diesel technology, MINI engineers have proved that you can have a low emissions car without compromising on driving characteristics and style.”
A quarter of the survey’s respondents believed the Honda Civic Hybrid was the lowest carbon-emitting vehicle from a list of five models.* Just two per cent plumped for the MINI Cooper D, perhaps misled by the sporty personality indicated by a Cooper badge. If only they knew.
Along with the rest of the MINI Hatch range, the MINI Cooper D now features a number of engineering enhancements.
Brake Energy Regeneration removes the need for a traditional alternator and reduces drag on the engine, thereby saving fuel. The Auto Start-Stop Function cuts out the engine when the car is brought to a halt and re-engages on depressing the clutch, again increasing fuel efficiency. Switch Point Display indicates to the driver the best gear for frugal driving. These technologies, as well as the Variable Turbine Geometry applied to the MINI Cooper D’s turbocharger combine to make a torquey, yet economical and low-emitting sports hatch.
Well, those that know, know. The MINI Cooper D topped the poll for desirability, despite an apparent misunderstanding between car fuel sources and their relative carbon emissions.
So what else did MINI discover? The most important factor in buying a new car remains price. Fuel economy and style/design were placed second and third respectively. Great news for MINI. Taking into account MINI’s low whole-life cost and its place at the top of the Lex Vehicle Leasing residual value chart, along with the Cooper D offering a combined fuel consumption of 72.4mpg and a unique design, the car again ticks every box.
Well, diesel engines burn the fuel better than gasoline-engines because of higher compression. But you've got to remember that old diesel cars without the particle filters are big polluters! Just Google it and you'll find lots of stuff on it!
Plus, Mini D drivers won't drive their car as a hybrid driver would. Hybrid driving is sooo relaxing. So even though the Mini is apparently as clean as a Prius, in real driving it will surely be more polluting.
Focusing only on CO2 emission, Mini D could be one of the champions and going ahead of Honda Civic hybrid. However, we must think that air contamination factor is not only CO2 but CO, HC, NOx and particulate, particularry the NOx and particulate in compression ignition engines. Though I am not an advocator to Japanese cars, judgement on greennness must be done hollisticly. From this point of view, I still think that Civic hybrid is greener than Mini D. Or we may focus more on Life Cycle Assessment approach, when we develop discussions on greeness.
