MINI Rules Out Diesel Hybrids

Although it was initially believed that MINI is pondering a potential diesel hybrid powertrain to be fitted on some of its models in the years the come, Wolfgang Kuttler, head of Mini diesel engines, emphasized that BMW's brand only intends to improve mileage using improvements in other areas.

Some of the gasoline engines available across the MINI range are the result of a collaboration between the French group PSA and BMW, so it was rumored that the British brand will go further with the partnership by adopting the HYbrid4 technology. However, Kuttler told autocar.co.uk that such a technology, which will make its debut later this year on the DS4 and 508 models, is too expensive to be fitted on a MINI and is a bit too heavy, which might actually affect the final performance of the cars.

Peugeot’s HYbrid4 technology, that will be available on the 508, will provide up to 200 bhp to the car’s all-wheel drive system, while CO2 emissions level will be of just 99 g/km or zero in electric mode, according to the official specs provided by the French carmaker.

“It only brings fuel savings in town, not on the faster, more open roads commonly used in Europe. We’ll never use a system like it at Mini for that reason," he said.

“I believe that we are currently getting about 50 per cent of the efficiency available in diesel engines,” he added. “We intend to concentrate on improving ancillary drive, lowering internal friction, increasing injection pressure and optimising turbo response, among other aspects. Variable valve timing is a possibility but it’s low down on the priority list.”