Looks as great as a MINI Cooper S, sounds as great as a MINI Cooper S, drives as great as a MINI Cooper S. The only small, yet crucial difference is in the last letter: the D, as in MINI Cooper SD.

The new 2.0-litre, 143-hp diesel engine offers a whopping 305 Nm torque at just 1750 rpm. Spec like that may leave you gasping, but the eco-balance will certainly help you breathe easy: the MINI Cooper SD, for example, has CO2 emissions of just 114 g/km, with fuel consumption an unbelievably frugal 4.3 l/100 km.

Available as a MINI Cooper SD, MINI Cooper SD Convertible, MINI Cooper SD Clubman and MINI Cooper SD Countryman, the new diesel models are, optically speaking, near-identical to their petrol-driven counterparts. The distinguishing feature? The Cooper SD badge at the rear, letting MINI once again wear its diesel credentials with pride.