By Mark Kleis
Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010 @ 5:12 am
 
Just three days ago we learned that the newest model in the MINI lineup, the Countryman, will carry a base list price of $22,350 when it goes on sale late this month. That's a mere $550 over the base price of a two-door MINI Clubman.

Now we have the pricing for the other trim levels as well, with the MINI Cooper S Countryman starting at $25,950, and the range-topping Cooper S Countryman ALL4 (All-wheel drive) model starting at $27,650. All pricing includes the mandatory $700 handling and destination charge.

Although MINI does not yet have the Countryman loaded into its online configurator, it does have a rather large list of options pricing - and like all MINI models, you will find it is quite easy to check some boxes and raise the price by many thousand dollars.

MINI calls the Countryman a mix between the "classic concept" and a modern "Sports Activity Vehicle," reflecting parent BMW Group's propensity for creating new acronyms. While front-wheel-drive will be standard, the Countryman will also be available with MINI's ALL4 four-wheel drive system.

MINI's ALL4 is a permanent all-wheel drive system, featuring an electromagnetic center differential positioned directly on the final drive. The system is able to route varying levels of power to the front and rear wheels, depending on road conditions. The ALL4 system will only be available on MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman models.

The Countryman also adds a pair of rear doors for increased ingress/egress to the rear seats. The rear seating area is slightly elevated to increase visibility, and it will be available with either two bucket seats with a long center console called the MINI Central Rail or a three person bench. Both options fold to allow for a 41.3 cubic foot cargo area. The Countryman offers 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space with its rear seats up.

Passenger room should be much improved over the standard MINI models thanks to an overall length of over 157-inches -- marking the first MINI model to stretch over four meters.

Power for the MINI Countryman will be provided by a range of five powerplants -- three gas units and two diesels. The frugal-minded MINI One Countryman will come powered by a 98 horsepower gas engine, while the mid-level Cooper Countryman will receive MINI's familiar 122 horsepower gas engine. Topping the petrol range will be the Cooper S Countryman, featuring a 184 horsepower 1.6L

Those wanting a diesel version of the Countryman will be able to chose from the 90 horsepower MINI One D Countryman and the 112 horsepower Cooper D Countryman. U.S. buyers will likely only have access to the Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper S ALL4 gas-powered versions of the Countryman.



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