New MINI Countryman makes its UK debut

“Countryman takes the MINI story to a new level in the brand’s 51 year heritage” said Jochen Goller, Director of MINI UK.  “With extra space, ALL4 and four doors we believe the MINI Countryman will appeal to a completely new audience and with prices starting at £16,000 with a very high standard specification, I think we are on to a winner” he said.  “The fact that Countryman is already sold out for this year indicates that MINI showrooms are going to be popular this autumn” Goller observed.

Typically MINI yet topically different

One could not mistake the new Countryman for anything other than a MINI yet it is distinctly different to any that has gone before.  It is 374mm longer than a MINI Hatch (at 4097mm), 106 mm wider (at 1,789 mm) and 154mm taller (at 1561mm). Countryman offers 190 litres more luggage capacity than a MINI Hatch with the seats up (a total of 350 litres) and 1,170 litres with the rear seats folded flat.  For the first time ever a MINI has four wide-opening doors, passenger capacity for five adults and a flexible, activity-orientated interior packed with innovations.  All UK models will be built as five seat cars, although customers can specify the four seat option at no extra cost.

Featuring that typical ‘wheel at each corner’ stance with short overhangs, the Countryman not only has larger dimensions than its cousins but also a higher ride height.  This provides the commanding driving position preferred by many drivers with a 10mm higher ground clearance for soft off-road driving. 

Many design characteristics are familiar such as the high window line surrounding the glasshouse while others are new interpretations of iconic features.  For example, the roofline with roof rails, the reinterpretation of the hexagonal radiator grille on the Cooper S models, and the prominent headlight units integrated into the bonnet.

The front of the Countryman is more upright projecting a confident ‘face’ which also offers improved pedestrian safety.  The wheel arches are more flared highlighting the robust nature of the Countryman as a true crossover and its soft off-road ability while the design of the wide-opening tailgate offers easy access to the large boot space.

Inspirational engines - powerful responses and supreme economy in equal measure

At launch the Countryman range will include three petrol – MINI One, Cooper and Cooper S - and two diesel models – MINI One D and Cooper D - as well as two ALL4 all wheel drive models, the Cooper D ALL4 and Cooper S ALL4.  Each model is equipped with an entirely new generation of power units.  The petrol engines are the new 1.6 litre four cylinder power plants already announced for the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman models in spring 2010 and feature the BMW Group’s considerable expertise in marrying free-revving, refined and efficient driving characteristics.

The petrol engines all feature Variable Valve Timing (VVT), similar to the BMW Valvetronic system, and produces more torque low down and aids response and efficiency.  The Cooper S model also benefits from a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection that gives blistering performance with modest fuel economy and low CO_² emissions.

The diesel models are powered by an all-new  BMW 1.6 litre four cylinder, the N47 turbocharged unit that employs all the BMW Group’s proven prowess with compression ignition engines.  The lightweight aluminium engines use common-rail direct injection and a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry.  Both are fitted with a diesel particulate filter and an oxidation catalytic converter.  These state of the art diesel power units set the highest standards, not only for performance and response but also for fuel economy and low emissions. The Cooper D Countryman will be available with an automatic transmission in March 2011.

All MINI Countryman models drive through a six speed manual gearbox.  A six speed automatic transmission is available as an option for the petrol-engined cars.

All Countryman engines meet EU5 emissions standards.  The key performance data are listed below.