2011 MINI Diesel, Powered by a BMW 123d Engine

If we needed yet another proof that these days rumors have a tendency of becoming true, then this is it. What first began as speculation now seems to be confirmed by motoringlife.com, who claims it has inside reports from the Oxford Plant which say that the first BMW engine-powered MINI is coming together and even rolled off the assembly lines.

The MINI (a R55 Clubman was used for this experiment) is not expected in its final shape until late 2010. Still, the car received its 2.0l twin turbo diesel unit, sourced from the BMW 123d. The specs for the BMW 123d engine: 204 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. On the 123d, the fuel consumption is rated at 54 mpg (4.3l/100 km). Differences are to be expected though in the MINI.

As we said, this particular MINI is still some years away. According to bmwblog.com, the car has only just begun pre-production testing. This didn't prevent the sources to speculate that the new MINI may be marketed under the Cooper S D name, or at least John Cooper Works D (JCW D). The same sources claim that the new MINI will be introduced sometimes next year, probably at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

Meanwhile, MINI grew up and is getting ready to tackle the small SAV segment. As we presented you in a few CGI images and spyshots, the Crossman, as it will probably be called, is undergoing final testing.

Set to make its debut in 2010, the Crossman is rumored to use the engines currently found on the Cooper and Cooper S: a 1.6l four cylinder, 120 horsepower unit and the turbocharged 171 horsepower powerplant. But now, with these latest developments we can't help hoping for a bigger unit for this one as well.