The package of measures includes Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Stop-Start function and Switch Point Display and will be used in the Mini One, Mini Cooper, Mini Cooper S and Mini Cooper D. BMW say that prices will not increase in spite of the increase in efficiency and driving quality the new technology will bring.

The new measures make the Mini Cooper D an extremely green motor with diesel consumption running at just 3.9L/km (67mpg) and exhaust emissions cut to just 104g/km. Most 1.3-litre petrol super-mini cars have emissions running at about 140g/km.

The Brake Energy Regeneration technology will be a standard feature of all model variations of the new Mini. It comes into play when a management system ensures that engine power is primarily converted into forward thrust and that electricity for the vehicle power supply is only generated when the vehicle rolls or is braked. In order to achieve this the generator is automatically disconnected during pulling phases and the power which would normally be diverted in a conventional vehicle is now available for even more powerful acceleration. As soon as the Mini changes to a pushing or braking phase the generator is reactivated.

The overall effect of this technology is that there is reduced fuel consusmption and exhaust emissions are lowered regardless of the driving style.

The Auto Start-Stop function means that there is no more idling in any manual transmission models of the Mini. The new function ensures that the engine switches off automatically when the vehicle stops at a junction - for example, when the driver puts the gear in neutral and removes the foot from the clutch. To restart the engine the driver simply presses the clutch and there is no delay in take-off. This technology is not particularly new - Citroen have used it for some time and years ago VW provided it but then there was not much interest. The new BMW technology is more sophisticated and is able to distinguish between short term stops and the end of a journey.

There is no engine restart if the seatbelt buckle or the driver's door is opened and the system can be deactivated at any time, to allow repair work be carried out, for example.

The Switch Point Display means that the driver is always in the right gear. This is another standard feature for the driver of a Mini with manual transmission. It is a simple function but leads to even more economical driving as the engine management system permanently analyses the engine speed, road situation and accelerator pedal position and, based on this information, calculates the optimun gear for economical driving. An arrow symbol in the dash display points to the number of the correct gear the driver should change to for best driving results.

Another feature for the August production of the Mini model is the modified cruise control that shows the selected speed digitally on the dash. This means the driver is constantly reminded of the chosen speed and can quickly adjust for speed-limit regulations.

Fitted with the new equipment all the Mini models have shown improvements in performance and fuel efficiency, particularly in the Mini D.