Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

With only some engine “tweaks,” the addition of brake energy regeneration, an optimal shift indicator and an auto off-on system, the 2008 Mini Cooper D (for diesel, not available in the US for ungodly reasoning) will push the mpg to over 60 and reduce CO2 levels 11.9%.

Overall the Mini range will increase MPG to 38 minimum; though no indication from Mini Europe if these improvements will be brought stateside.  I can’t imagine why not, but then I can’t explain why diesel hasn’t taken off as well here as in Europe either…

The improvements are interesting.  Starting with the auto-off feature, the car’s engine will automatically turn off when the car is not moving and shifted into neutral (manual only) and then reengage when the clutch is pressed.  The optimal gear light will take many factors into account and provide the most fuel efficient recommendation.  Brake energy regeneration saves the engine from powering the alternator only when needed instead of always pulling power from the engine.

Read [Autoblog]