Mini lifts veil on refreshed Countryman in New York

Wed, 16 Apr 2014

When Mini introduced the Countryman in 2010, it emerged as the brand's first crossover, its first five-door model and its first to offer all-wheel drive. It also arrived mid-lifecycle in the last generation of Mini Cooper hatchback, with which it shares little more than a passing family resemblance. Now that the Anglo-Saxon automaker is moving on to its third generation of retro hatch, it's given the Countryman a bit of a refresh to keep it current.

Unveiled today at the New York Auto Show, the new Countryman incorporates some very minor cosmetic tweaks to the exterior – so minor, in fact, that you'd be hard pressed to tell one from the other even if viewed side by side. Some subtle enhancements have been implemented to the interior as well, where the large central speedometer remains where it was in the middle of the dashboard (unlike the new Cooper hatch that moves it to where you'd normally find the instrument cluster, behind the steering wheel). The rear seats, however, offer more adjustability.

Mini will offer the new Countryman worldwide in an array of powertrain configurations, ranging from the bare-bones Mini One Countryman with a 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated four offering just 98 horsepower all the way up to the twin-turbo John Cooper Works with 218 hp – North American customers will get the latter, but not the former. The mid-range Cooper S has been enhanced by seven horses to deliver 190 hp, while overseas-only diesel models range from 90 hp to 143. Buyers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual or automatic and front-or all-wheel drive. There are also some new colors on offer and a host of optional equipment, all of which you can read about in the press release below.

The new MINI Countryman.
16.04.2014

New version of the first MINI with four doors, a large tailgate, five seats and optional all-wheel drive; new MINI Countryman (combined fuel consumption: 7.1- 4.2 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 165 - 111 g/km) hones its profile as an all-round talent for versatile mobility and an active lifestyle; fresh measures to ensure the continued success of the premium compact model that has sold more than 350,000 units worldwide; selective design modifications; further enhanced driving performance figures; optimised fuel consumption and emissions; increased engine output in the new MINI Cooper S Countryman; market launch of all model variants including the top sports model MINI John Cooper Works Countryman in July 2014.

Striking accents underscore the distinctive interpretation of the hallmark MINI body design; clear emphasis of the specific dimensions and proportions convey variable functionality and versatile athletic flair over all terrains; characteristic hexagonal radiator grille in new design reinforces the presence of the upright front section; visual underride guard elements for the front and rear apron and side sills now standard in conjunction with the all-wheel drive system MINI ALL4 (exception: MINI John Cooper Works Countryman) and optional for all other model variants; new standard and optionally available light alloy wheels with reduced weight and optimised aerodynamics properties; tyres with reduced rolling resistance as an option; new exterior paint finishes in Jungle Green metallic, Midnight Grey metallic and Starlight Blue metallic; additional customisation options include contrasting colours for the roof and exterior mirror caps, bonnet stripes and Sport Stripes as well as Piano Black Exterior - available for MINI for the first time.

Refined details, optimised acoustic comfort and reinforced premium characteristics in the interior; dark dials for road speed and engine speed; MINI John Cooper Works Countryman additionally with John Cooper Works logo in the central instrument; ventilation controls with chrome applications; five seats and exceptional variability with rear seats that can be shifted 13 centimetres longitudinally, backrests that are tilt-adjustable and foldable in a 40: 20 : 40 split; luggage compartment volume can be extended from 350 to as much as 1 170 litres.

Extensive engine portfolio comprising 4-cylinder petrol and 4-cylinder diesel engines; all engine types now with emission rating according to EU6 emission standard; increase in output by 5 kW to 140 kW/190 bhp in the MINI Cooper S Countryman; optimised driving performance and fuel consumption figures due to extended MINIMALISM technology including improved aerodynamic properties; 6-speed manual transmission as standard, 6-speed automatic transmission as an option (exception: MINI One D Countryman); MINI specific all-wheel drive system ALL4 optional for the models MINI Cooper Countryman, MINI Cooper S Countryman, MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper SD Countryman, as standard in the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman.

Outstanding safety; MINI Countryman with top 5-star rating on the Euro NCAP crash test thanks to extensive standard equipment features in the areas of active and passive safety, now supplemented with type pressure control on each individual wheel and daytime driving light.

High-quality standard trim and a wide selection of options for additional driving fun, increased comfort and maximum customisation; new LED fog lights including daytime driving and parking light in LED technology; other features available include xenon headlamps and adaptive turning light, comfort access, panorama glass roof, automatic air conditioning, removable tow hitch with trailer load of up to 1 200 kilograms, MINI navigation system, Sport Button, sports suspension, sports leather steering wheel with shift paddles for automatic transmission, multifunction steering wheel with cruise control, Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system and model-specific John Cooper Works accessories.

Extensive MINI Connected in-car infotainment program; unique functional diversity and permanent expansion options with apps integrated in the automobile via smartphone; increased driving fun with typical MINI functions such as Mission Control, Dynamic Music, Driving Excitement and MINIMALISM Analyser; online connection also enables the use of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and foursquare as well as Glympse, RSS news feed reception and entertainment programs such as AUPEO!, Stitcher, Deezer, Audible, Napster/Rhapsody and TuneIn.

Model variants:
MINI John Cooper Works Countryman: 4-cylinder petrol engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve control based on BMW Group VALVETRONIC technology,
capacity: 1 598 cc, output: 160 kW/218 bhp at 6 000 rpm, max. torque: 280 Nm at 1 900 - 5 000 rpm (300 Nm at 2 100 - 4 500 rpm with overboost), acceleration (0-100 km/h): 6.9 seconds (automatic: 6.9 seconds),
top speed: 228 km/h (225 km/h), average fuel consumption according to EU: 7.1 litres/100 kilometres (7.5 litres), CO2 emissions: 165 g/km (175 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI Cooper S Countryman: 4-cylinder petrol engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve control based on BMW Group VALVETRONIC technology,
capacity: 1 598 cc, output: 140 kW/190 bhp at 5 500 - 6 500 rpm, max. torque: 240 Nm at 1 600 - 5 000 rpm (260 Nm at 1 700 - 4 500 with overboost), acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.5 seconds (automatic: 7.8 seconds),
top speed: 218 km/h (214 km/h), average fuel consumption according to EU: 6.0 litres/100 kilometres (6.8 litres), CO2 emissions: 139 g/km (157 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4: 4-cylinder petrol engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve control based on BMW Group VALVETRONIC technology,
capacity: 1 598 cc, output: 140 kW/190 bhp at 5 500 - 6 500 rpm, max. torque: 240 Nm at 1 600 - 5 000 rpm (260 Nm at 1 700 - 4 500 with overboost), acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.7 seconds (automatic: 8.1 seconds),
top speed: 215 km/h (213 km/h), average fuel consumption according to EU: 6.4 litres/100 kilometres (7.1 litres), CO2 emissions: 148 g/km (165 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI Cooper Countryman: 4-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve control based on BMW Group VALVETRONIC technology,
capacity: 1 598 cc,
output: 90 kW/122 bhp at 6 000 rpm, max. torque: 160 Nm at 4 250 rpm, acceleration (0-100 km/h): 10.4 seconds (automatic: 11,6 seconds),
top speed: 191 km/h (184 km/h),
average fuel consumption according to EU: 5.9 litres/100 kilometres (6.9 litres), CO2 emissions: 137 g/km (159 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4: 4-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve control based on BMW Group VALVETRONIC technology (in the MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 with automatic transmission also: twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection),
capacity: 1 598 cc,

output: 90 kW /122 bhp at 6 000 rpm, max. torque: 160 Nm (MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 with automatic transmission: 190 Nm) at 4 250 rpm, acceleration (0-100 km/h): 11.5 seconds (automatic: 11,7 seconds),
top speed: 186 km/h (184 km/h), average fuel consumption according to EU: 6.7 litres/100 kilometres (7.0 litres), C02 emissions: 156 g/km (164 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6

MINI One Countryman: 4-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve control based on BMW Group VALVETRONIC technology,
capacity: 1 598 cc,
output: 72 kW/98 bhp at 6 000 rpm, max. torque: 153 Nm at 3 000 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 11.9 seconds (automatic: 13,9 seconds),
top speed: 175 km/h (170 km/h),
average fuel consumption according to EU: 5.7 litres/100 kilometres (6.9 litres), C02 emissions: 134 g/km (159 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI Cooper SD Countryman: 4-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium crankcase, common rail injection and variable turbine geometry,
capacity: 1 995 cc,
output: 105 kW/143 bhp at 4 000 rpm, max. torque: 305 Nm at 1 750 - 2 700 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 9.2 seconds (automatic: 9.4 seconds),
top speed: 200 km/h (197 km/h), average fuel consumption according to EU: 4.5 litres/100 kilometres (5.7 litres), C02 emissions: 119 g/km (149 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI Cooper SD Countryman ALL4: 4-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium crankcase, common rail injection and variable turbine geometry,
capacity: 1 995 cc,
output: 105 kW/143 bhp at 4 000 rpm, max. torque: 305 Nm at 1 750 - 2 700 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 9.3 seconds (automatic: 9.4 seconds),
top speed: 197 km/h (195 km/h),
average fuel consumption according to EU: 4.8 litres/100 kilometres (5.9 litres), C02 emissions: 126 g/km (156 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI Cooper D Countryman: 4-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium crankcase, common rail injection and variable turbine geometry, capacity: 1 598 cc (MINI Cooper D Countryman with automatic transmission: 1 995 cc), output: 82 kW/112 bhp at 4000 rpm, max. torque: 270 Nm at 1 750 - 2 250 rpm, acceleration: (0-100 km/h): 10.9 seconds (automatic: 11.3 seconds), top speed: 186 km/h (181 km/h), average fuel consumption according to EU: 4.2 litres/100 kilometres (5.6 litres), C02 emissions: 111 g/km (148 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI Cooper D Countryman ALL4: 4-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium crankcase, common rail injection and variable turbine geometry,
capacity: 1 598 cc (MINI Cooper D Countryman ALL4 with automatic transmission: 1 995 cc),
output: 82 kW/112 bhp at 4000 rpm,
max. torque: 270 Nm at 1 750 - 2 250 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 11.6 seconds (automatic: 11,9 seconds),
top speed: 181 km/h (176 km/h),
average fuel consumption according to EU: 4.7 litres/100 kilometres (5.9 litres), C02 emissions: 123 g/km (155 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI One D Countryman: 4-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium crankcase, common rail injection and variable turbine geometry,
capacity: 1 598 cc,
output: 66 kW/90 bhp at 4 000 rpm,
max. torque: 215 Nm at 1 750 - 2 500 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 12.9 seconds,
top speed: 171 km/h,
average fuel consumption according to EU: 4.2 litres/100 kilometres, CO2 emissions: 111 g/km, exhaust emission standard: EU6.

Exterior dimensions:
Length: 4 097 millimetres (MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4 and MINI Cooper D Countryman ALL4: 110 millimetres, MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper SD Countryman: 4 109 millimetres, MINI John Cooper Works Countryman: 4 133 millimetres)
Width: 1 789 millimetres
Height: MINI John Cooper Works Countryman 1 549 millimetres) Wheelbase: 2 595 millimetres

For further details on official fuel consumption figures, official specific CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars, please refer to the "Manual on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars", available at all sales outlets, from Deutschen Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/angebote/verlagsprodukte/leitfaden-kraftstoffverbrauch.html. ManualCO2 (PDF - 2.7 MB)

By Noah Joseph