This is the biggest Mini ever – the new addition to the Mini line-up is the Mini Countryman, which is the fourth model in its family, and is a cross between the classic Mini and the modern Sports Activity Vehicle.
Looks wise, the exterior is pretty much Mini, and you may also notice the “AII4″ badge on the back, which indicates that the Countryman is AWD, a first for the brand. It gets a new roofline, a new hexagonal radiator grille along with larger headlights and rear cluster lights. It will also be more practical, with four doors and a wide-opening rear lid, along with a slightly raised seating position.
To give an idea of the size of the motor, Mini has also released a psychedelic video and the interior also proves interesting. The Countryman comes with four seats as standard, and as a no-cost option, a conventional rear bench which can be split 60/40 with tilting backrests to increase cargo capacity from 350- to 1170-litres.
Available from September, the Mini Countryman will be offered with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, with power ranging from 90bhp in the Mini One D variant to 184bhp in the Cooper S variant. And this engine has been given a twin-scrolled turbocharger, like a 911 Turbo, direct fuel injection, and fully variable valve management to balance engine power and fuel consumption. It will be mated to a six-speed manual gear box as standard, or a six-speed automatic with Steptronic.
Following Mini’s MINIMALISM fuel efficiency theme, the Countryman will come with features such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Start Stop, gearshift point indicator, and on-demand management of the engine’s ancillary units.
More details will become available after the Countryman makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
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