TORQUING SHOP (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Andy Enright

Introductionword count: 114

A fast diesel road car always feels like cheating a little bit. It doesn't feel right that you can have more torque than a Porsche yet eke quite so many miles from a gallon of derv. Most of the really good diesel expresses tend to be big executive models but MINI has spread the love and delivered us the Cooper SD hatch. If you like the sound of a car that could return better than 65mpg yet still have the chops to see off many hot hatches, you aren't alone. The British public took to this MINI with unbridled enthusiasm. Does it stack up just as well as a used buy? Find out here.

Modelsword count: 6

3dr hatch (2.0 diesel [Cooper SD])

Historyword count: 89

The Cooper SD arrived in March 2011, forming part of the facelifted second generation - or R56 in MINI-speak - range. Stung by criticisms that the 112bhp Cooper D was a bit pedestrian, the Cooper SD packed a 143bhp punch and felt like the real deal. MINI used the launch to promote another innovation, the MINI Connected app-based system which provides a range of additional services to use in car running off your iPhone. This generation was replaced by the all-new MINI 'F56' model at the start of 2014.

What You Getword count: 235

The MINI has had its styling refreshed on countless occasions but it always comes out the other end looking like a MINI. Perhaps more than any other car, this one is inextricably linked to a certain look, namely the classic design cues laid down by Alec Issigonis in the late 1950s. BMW has sensibly kept the links to the past very much intact and the latest cars are yet another variation on that theme. Inside, this MK2 model feels of much higher quality than BMW's first generation version. Gone are those indicators that felt like you were snapping a biro every time you used them. The centrally mounted speedometer houses entertainment and, if specified, navigation functions. The slimmed-down centre console offers decent space in the footwells while for the MK2 range, the old fashioned ignition key was replaced by a round signal sensor that slots next to the steering wheel. A start/stop button was also fitted as standard, while small ergonomic and quality improvements were made on later MK2 models, cars that also got revised steering wheels and altered controls for the ventilation and audio systems. Cooper SD models got the option of a Sport Pack, which featured 17-inch John Cooper Works alloy wheels, Dynamic traction control and an electronic diff lock to work with the existing DSC stability control, a body styling kit and leather trimmings for the cabin. What To Look For (used_look)

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