First Look: MINI Countryman

The MINI Countryman crossover bridges the gap between the classic MINI concept and a contemporary Sports Activity Vehicle. Its broader range of abilities in both urban use and beyond paves the way for larger and evolving target groups with a greater need for space and flexibility to experience the driving fun that comes with a MINI.

The brand’s first model to feature four doors and a wide-opening tailgate, the Countryman offers more space – which can be used in a wide variety of ways – to go with its raised seating position and optimised ride comfort. Plus, the “go-kart” feeling for which MINI is a byword has been preserved and takes on a new dimension with the optional MINI ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. The MINI Countryman expresses the defining virtues of the brand in terms of design, premium quality, handling, efficiency and the scope for customisation – and does so in an absorbingly individual way.

Using the MINI design language as a starting point, the stand-out features of the MINI Countryman are showcased in fitting style. The upright front end exudes presence and helps to optimise pedestrian protection. The increase in interior space is emphasised by large glass surfaces, the four-door layout by the distinctive contours of the roof. The extra-wide border around the lower part of the body and powerfully bolstered wheel arches are a nod to the robustness of the vehicle and its all-wheel drive. The precise transposition of the MINI style into a new vehicle segment ensures that the MINI Countryman comes across as a totally new type of vehicle and yet is instantly recognisable as a MINI.

The MINI Countryman comes as standard with four seats, while a three-seat bench is available as a no-cost option. Its interior enhances comfort over long journeys with generous legroom, headroom and shoulder room. The rear seats can be moved forwards and backwards individually or in a 60 : 40 split (three-seat bench), the angle of the backrests can be adjusted and the backrests can be folded down either individually or in a 40 : 20 : 40 split (three-seat bench), all of which allows luggage capacity to be increased from 350 litres to a maximum 1,170 litres (12.4 to 41.3 cu ft).

The new variant comes with three petrol and two diesel engines at launch. All the drive units are sourced from a new generation of engines optimised using the BMW Group’s development expertise. And they all meet the EU5 and ULEV II exhaust emission standards. Output ranges from 66 kW/90 hp in the MINI One D Countryman to 135 kW/184 hp in the MINI Cooper S Countryman. With its twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection now complemented by fully variable valve management, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the range-topping model offers by far the best balance between output and fuel consumption in its displacement class. Furthermore, the MINIMALISM concept sees wide-ranging technology designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions – such as Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start/Stop function, Shift Point Display and the need-based operation of ancillary components – fitted as standard and in model-specific combinations. For the petrol engine variants a six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is available as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual.

Credits: wilswong