Mini has officially taken the wraps off its upcoming Countryman crossover, a four-door, all-wheel-drive, ruggedly-styled version based on the basic Mini Cooper theme. Despite its March reveal at the Geneva Motor Show, the Country won’t hit Mini dealers until late September.
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, Mini will offer a version called ALL4 that will come with all-wheel-drive. Most sales will likely be the latter, although Mini hasn’t announced its intended product mix.
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 cubic foot cargo area. Otherwise, the interior is conventional Mini – if such a phrase can apply to the heavily styled, retro-esque accommodations and will include the option of an extra large panorama roof.
Although Mini has yet to confirm North American specifications, the Countryman will be available in Europe with the full range of Mini powerplants, including diesel and naturally aspirated or turbocharged gasoline powertrains. We’d expect a base 1.6-liter Mini Countryman and a 184-horsepower turbocharged Mini Countryman S to show up in North American dealers. At least for the European market, Mini has added variable valve management to the Countryman S’ powertrain.
The Countryman will also be available in Europe with a sports suspension that lowers the car by about 0.4″ and ads tighter suspension tuning and larger diameter wheels.
03/02, 2:07 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
how long until the audi a1 countryman shows up? muahaha…
and why are there so many white show cars these days? it makes the ferrari hybrid stand out due to that vibrant green…which isn’t a bad thing…but so many of the show cars are appliance white, it’s a bit befuddling…
03/02, 2:34 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
Interesting. Be a great SUV for the city for those who want a small SX4 type vehicle but want it to be luxurious. I like it.
03/02, 2:36 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I like the Countryman. I know I’m probably the only one who does, but it’s definitely a funky looking little CUV, and I’m into the different look. I don’t think it looks as bad as the Clubman, and I really like the interior. I think the Rocketeer style interior is very cool.
LWA, no clue what’s up with the white. Personally, I think this would look best in yellow or dark green.
03/02, 2:37 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I guess I’m not the only one who likes this after all.
03/02, 2:42 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
You’re a MINI fan leftwing… would you honestly buy one of these?
03/02, 4:35 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
when i first heard about this thing, my gut reaction was to detest it…i thought it was a marketing ploy more than anything, and a dilution of what mini was about…the commercial vid from last week, and these pics make me more hopeful it’ll actually be fun to drive and capable…call me cautiously optimistic…i wouldn’t buy one without positive reviews as far as handling and performance, though…i’m still in the wait-and-see mode…if i had to make a bet, i would personally buy a standard MCS over this in most circumstances, but if you need 4 doors, GTI-level cargo space, and AWD, it’s not a bad package (the price, however, will be pretty bad, probably)…
03/02, 4:37 PM
posted by:
deneway
I owned a Mini Countryman. Great little Rollerskate on wheels.
But somehow I can’t see a 998cc 4 speed stick 40mpg gas powered car being able to make it these days..
03/02, 4:56 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Well that’s the whole deal right there really isn’t it… there is just a ton of stuff out there for the same money that is quite literally twice the car. Still, if handling and the MINI name is what you love… nah, even then I’d say this one falls under the category of blind loyalty.
03/02, 5:31 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
BMW is obviously pushing the Mini concept to as far extremes as the market will allow.
I’d like to see this gambit backfire, so that the standard Mini loses its appeal with the beautiful crowd, which would bring the price down by 5 to 7K, where it belongs. People tend to forget that teeny tiny cars with teeny tiny engines should have teeny tiny sticker prices.
03/02, 6:10 PM
posted by:
DonaldTurnupseed
That’s one Mickey Mouse center-stack. Or maybe Minnie.
03/02, 7:20 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
bmw isn’t going to move the price down 5-7k, but considering their equipment level and performance, i don’t think they’re 20% overpriced…compared to a 2010 mustang gt, they’re quite reasonably priced
03/02, 7:43 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Someone get me a cold beer… I have the oddest burning sensation.
03/03, 1:53 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
not sure it’s blinding loyalty as much as style…some folks will just buy into the mini style and say “i’ll take the bigger one”…i think it’ll sell…me? i spend my time looking up old bmws on ebay motors and craigslist…