Mini has diesels with exceptional fuel economy — but not for the U.S.

(June 2010) The new lineup from BMW-owned Mini includes a new diesel engine that replaces the old Peugeot-sourced motor with one from BMW — in different tune for each model.

Mini says the new diesel will drop CO2 emissions in the 89 horsepower Mini D (right) and 110 horsepower Cooper D by almost 5 percent, to 99 grams per kilomter from 104 g/km. We presume that also means a nearly 5 percent increase in the Mini D's already sweet fuel economy.

Mini also will be giving the new diesel powertrain to the Clubman and, for its first oil-burner ever, to the convertible model. Their heavier weights translate into a bit less fuel economy and a bit more CO2, 104 g/km for the Clubman and 103 g/km for the ragtop.

That's all for Europe, though.

In the U.S., Mini will provide only the 1.6-liter gasoline engine, in various states of tune for the standard Mini, Mini Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works, Clubman and, early next year, Countryman models.

No diesels.

Mini folk don't think they'll sell here.

Not even at 60 miles a gallon fuel economy versus 32 mpg for the standard Mini. Not with gas at under $3 and diesel models still fetching a sizeable premium and requiring additional emissions modifications to be classified as 50-state legal clean diesels in the U.S.

John O'Dell, Edmunds.com