Photos – MINI Countryman UK Launch

September 18, 2010 will be the launch of the MINI Countryman in the UK market. The Countryman is the first MINI vehicle to have four doors, can seat five adults and the to run on four wheel drive. Overall, it offers more versatility and space. When launched, it will be available in seven models, two of which will offer ALL4. The Countryman will also lead MINI’s return to the World Rally Championship next year.

The market for Countryman

The demand for crossover vehicles has grown substantially in recent years:  drivers want the best of both worlds with normal saloon-like driving responses as well as the added versatility of soft off-road ability and the interior flexibility to cope with all the hobbies, shopping trips and activities that are such a huge part of busy modern family life.

As a result, MINI Countryman arrives in a growing segment that presents an opportunity to attract buyers from a wide range of competitive cars.  Not only will they find the flexibility their lifestyle demands but they will also discover the world of MINI, a world where practicality and versatility does not bring limitations on the fun that can be derived from driving.

“The Countryman models still pack in the driving thrills that put a grin on your face the way all MINIs do” said Lee Connolly, Product and Planning Manager at MINI UK.  “But the Countryman also brings new levels of space and versatility to the range that will attract not only existing MINI owners but also new customers.  We expect that the extra space will mean that around 80 per cent of Countryman sales will come from customers completely new to the MINI brand. Already we see the MINI Countryman being the benchmark in terms of residual values and lease company whole life costs. ”

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.

Practical, flexible and fun interior

Inside the MINI Countryman is all about comfort, practicality and innovative style. The higher seating position offers better visibility for the driver and passengers, a feature particularly appreciated by children.   From the four wide-opening doors to the high-opening rear hatch, Countryman provides easy and comfortable access and it’s a dream to load.  The boot space of 350 litres is more than double that of the Hatch and 90 litres more than Clubman offers. With the rear seats folded flat the interior provides no less than 1,170 litres of load space.  Flexibility is not compromised but celebrated in the new Countryman range.

The multi-function rear seats are arranged with a 60:40 split base for the three rear seat passengers and both rear seat squabs are also individually adjustable, sliding back or forth by 130mm to make the best use of space.  The backrests, by contrast, are arranged in a 40:20:40 split that provides absolute flexibility with all three seatbacks capable of folding flat in any combination.

The interior is dominated by iconic MINI design characteristics such as comfortable yet grippy optional sports seats, the trademark central speedometer and neat, funky switch packs.  New elements of MINI design language are introduced with the elliptical interior door trims that continue from the front to the rear door and back.  Also new is the MINI Centre Rail system.  When ordered as a four seat configuration, In place of the conventional centre console the U-shaped Centre Rail runs from front to rear down the centreline of the Countryman  and opens up new, individual options for integrating all kinds of storage boxes, cup holders, power chargers, music players, mobile phones and other accessories such as a sunglasses case.  A user-friendly clip-in attachment system allows the MINI Centre Rail to be divided up as desired and each item can slide easily backwards or forwards for the convenience of all occupants. When ordered with the rear bench seat, as is standard in the UK, the Centre Rail stops between the driver and passenger seats.

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 CO² 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.