MINI has adopted some of parent company BMW’s Efficient-Dynamics package to improve fuel economy and lower emissions with the result that the diesel model will top 70mpg.

A combination of stop-start (which cuts the engine when the car is stationary), brake energy regeneration which reclaims lost energy and recharges the battery, and a gear selector to indicate the most efficient gear to be in helps all MINI models boost economy.

The changes, which come into effect from August onwards, result in the Cooper D returning a claimed 72.4mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of just 104g/km.

The petrol-engined models also see significant improvements.