Mini has ruled out the possibility of introducing a diesel hybrid vehicle, despite the fact that one of its key partners, PSA Peugeot Citroen, is set to introduce the technology on its vehicles in the near future.
Peugeot is set to launch a diesel hybrid powertrain system called Hybrid4, due out soon on the 508, DS4 and 3008 models. Despite the brand’s group owner, PSA, helping BMW develop its petrol engines for the Mini range, Mini is not set to benefit from the new technology.
Wolfgang Kuttler, head of Mini diesel engines, told Autocar that the Hybrid4 system ‘was a very expensive and heavy system, adding: “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.”
Instead Mini is set to focus on improving the fuel economy of its diesel range without using additional power sources.
“I believe that we are currently getting about 50 per cent of the efficiency available in diesel engines,” he Kuttler told the motoring publication.
“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,” he added.
