EPA: Four 2014 Mini Cooper models need to drop mpg numbers

Wed, Oct 22 2014

After the huge problems that Hyundai/Kia experienced with its mislabeled fuel economy labels, you'd think that any time an automaker has to adjust its mpg numbers, heralds would be shouting from the rooftops. But, after Ford admitted to three big mistakes with its numbers for the 2013 C-Max Hybrid and Mercedes-Benz had to lower the fuel economy rating for the C-Class, we understand if those heralds are a bit tired by now.

The models affected include the 3-door and the 3-door S.

Still, today's news is that BMW has to lower the fuel efficiency numbers for four versions of the 2014 Mini Cooper thanks to an audit conducted by the EPA and then some joint re-testing. The models affected include the 3-door with the 1.5-liter engine and the 3-door S with its 2.0-liter powerplant, with both manual and semi-automatic transmissions. As with the Benzes, the rating changes are not big ones, around one or two miles per gallon. The big exception is the manual S 3-door's highway number, which lost four mpg from 38 to 34. You can see all the numbers, new and old, in the press release below, but the EPA isn't saying what caused the problem this time. The Agency's new test procedures can't come fast enough.

It should be noted that the 2015 Mini Cooper was recently delayed a bit because of the extra time it took to get the EPA numbers right. There's no confirmation that these two items are connected, but we would not be surprised to hear they were.

EPA Requiring BMW to Correct Fuel Economy Labels for Four Mini Cooper Vehicles

Washington - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising estimates for four 2014 BMW Mini Cooper vehicles to ensure consumers are given accurate fuel economy values.

The EPA performed a fuel economy audit on the BMW Mini Cooper and obtained values that differed from those BMW submitted to EPA for certification. With EPA oversight, BMW conducted new emissions and fuel economy testing, and EPA conducted its own testing at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a result of this subsequent testing, EPA is requiring BMW to relabel four of its 2014 Mini Cooper models with lower fuel economy values.

The specific changes to fuel economy stickers are listed in the table below.

2014 BMW Mini Cooper Fuel Economy Value Updates

		Old Label Values			New Label Values
Model	Transmission	Combined (mpg)	City (mpg)	Highway (mpg)	Combined (mpg)	City (mpg)	Highway (mpg)
Cooper 3-door	MT	34	30	42	33	29	40
Cooper 3-door	Semi-Auto	33	29	40	32	28	39
Cooper S 3-door	MT	29	25	38	28	24	34
Cooper S 3-door	Semi-Auto	31	27	38	30	26	35

"Fuel economy values matter to consumers and automakers," said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. "To provide consumers with the most accurate, reliable and repeatable fuel economy values, we are continuing to strengthen our oversight to ensure fair competition among automakers."

EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory conducts fuel economy testing on vehicles each year to ensure that their performance matches the mileage and emissions data automakers submit to EPA. These audits are part of the oversight program that helps ensure all carmakers are following the same procedures for calculating mileage estimates. The oversight program also helps the EPA verify that vehicles on the road meet national tailpipe emission standards to protect public health and the environment.

More information on today's update: www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/updates.htm

Updated fuel economy values are also available on the joint EPA and the Department of Energy website: www.fueleconomy.gov.

By Sebastian Blanco