The 2011 MINI Is the Most Efficient Car In Its Class

The US Environmental Protection Agency released their 2011 Fuel Economy Guide. The new figures consolidate MINI Cooper's position as being the most efficient car in its class and can compete against leaders in surrounding classes as well.

The 2011 MINI Cooper is rated at 29 mpg (9.74 liters per 100 km) city and 37 mpg (7.63 liters per 100 km) highway mileage, although BMW gave the MINI a power boost. The MINI Cooper's naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four cylinder engine now produces 121 horsepower and 114 lb-ft (154 Nm) of torque.

The turbocharged Cooper S and Clubman S received Vanos variable valve timing and a power increase of 4 hp adding to a total of 181 hp. The power rating of John Cooper Works variants remains unchanged at 208 hp, while its mileage is the lowest in the MINI range. The JCW convertible has a combined rating of 29 mpg (9.7 liters per 100 km). Across all cars, with rare exceptions, the only way to get better mileage than a MINI Cooper is in a hybrid.

Set against Honda's CR-Z sport hybrid which achieves 39 mpg highway, the Cooper is not far behind. However, the MINI Cooper S has a rating of 34 mpg (8.3 liters per 100 km) for highway mileage. More interestingly though, the Cooper S has a power output of 181 hp which, compared to the 122 hp of the CR-Z, makes you forget all about economy.

For 2011, MINI is raising prices by $600 to $750. The least expensive MINI for 2011, the Cooper hardtop, has pierced through the $20,000 barrier, with a retail price of $20,100. The 2011 MINI Cooper Convertible starts at $25,550 and the Clubman bears a price tag of $21,800.