Mini expands All4 to non-turbo Countryman, Paceman models

Tue, 04 Jun 2013

Mini is giving buyers the chance to sink their teeth into all-wheel drive on more models than ever. The automaker has announced the Coper Countryman and Paceman can now be had with the company's All4 all-wheel drive system. Previously, the option was only available on turbocharged Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions of the high-riding Minis. Buyers will be able to chose between the standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional six-speed automatic gearbox, and Mini says the naturally aspirated Cooper Countryman All4 can pull to 60 miles per hour in a languid 11.9 seconds when powered by a 122-horsepoer 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.

We suppose what it lacks in speed it makes up for in determination. Likewise, the Cooper Paceman All4 does the deed in 11.8 seconds, though automatic models are somewhat quicker. Check out the full press release below for more information. Mini hasn't announced pricing for its new, less-powerful All4 models just yet.

ALL4 TIMES TEN FOR MAXIMUM DRIVING FUN: MINI EXTENDS ITS RANGE OF ALL-WHEEL MODELS

ALL4 times ten for maximum driving fun: MINI extends its range of all-wheel models to include the MINI Cooper Countryman and the MINI Cooper Paceman.

Munich. The spontaneous power delivery and precise handling of the MINI all-wheel drive system ALL4 is now avaible in two more models: ALL4 will be available for the MINI Cooper Countryman and the MINI Cooper Paceman from July 2013. This increases the number of all-wheel versions within the MINI model range to ten models. The new models are also fitted with 6-speed manual transmission as standard, with 6-speed automatic transmission available as an option.

With the enhanced traction, driving stability and ability the permanent all-wheel drive system helps the driver stay in control while driving on snow, sand or slippery surfaces, as well offering extra grip on twisty roads. ALL4 is based on an electromagnetic centre differential and distributes drive force at continuously variable levels between the front and rear axle. Its electronic control system is integrated directly in the DSC control unit (Dynamic Stability Control), enabling it to direct drive torque quickly and precisely to where it can be most effectively transformed into propulsion.

In the new models MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 and MINI Cooper Paceman ALL4, the all-wheel drive system distributes the power of a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine with an output of 90 kW/122 bhp between the front and rear wheels. Spontaneous forward thrust is guaranteed by the engine's maximum torque of 160 Newton metres (190 Nm with automatic transmission), at an engine speed of 4,250 rpm.

As a result, the MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.9 seconds (automatic: 11.7 seconds). The top speed is 184 km/h (182 km/h). Due to the high level of efficiency of both engine and drivetrain as well as extensive MINIMALISM technology, the boost in driving fun goes hand in hand with low levels of fuel consumption and emissions. The MINI Countryman ALL4 has an average fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres (automatic: 7.5 litres) on the EU test cycle and CO2 emissions of 167 (175) grams per kilometre.

The relation between driving fun and fuel consumption is equally impressive in the MINI Cooper Paceman ALL4. This model takes 11.8 seconds (automatic: 11.6 seconds) to accelerate from standing to 100 km/h and attains a top speed of 185 (183) km/h. Its fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels on the EU test cycle are the same as those of the MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4.

With this extension of the model range there will be four versions of each of the MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman with optional ALL4 in future. The previously available portfolio comprises the models MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 and MINI Cooper S Paceman ALL4 (135 kW/184 bhp), the MINI Cooper SD Countryman ALL4 and the MINI Cooper SD Paceman ALL4 (105 kW/143 bhp,along with the MINI Cooper D Countryman ALL4 and the MINI Cooper D Paceman ALL4 (82 kW/112 bhp). The top sports models MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and MINI John Cooper Works Paceman transmit their outstanding engine output of 160 kW/218 bhp to all wheels as standard.

MINI has conquered new terrain since the market launch of the MINI Countryman and has welcomed a new group of customers into the MINI family.

By Zach Bowman