New MINI Countryman to premiere in February

Though the original MINI is the cuter of the two, the Countryman was always chosen for its practicality and space. The new generation 2017 model promises to better its own benchmark in the compact segment. The new MINI Countryman will be the iconic British brand’s biggest and most versatile model in its 57-year history. The new MINI Countryman is 20cms longer and has a wheelbase that is 7.5cms more than the predecessor. It also gets five full-sized seats, a big dose of versatility and cabin storage options and new powertrains, including a new plug-in hybrid.

The new MINI Countryman features design elements that are signatures of the brand, including the clear three-way structure of the side view – broken down into roof, glass section and main corpus – as well as the short overhangs, large wheel arches and downward increase in width. Numerous model-specific design elements such as the striking helmet roof, the upright rear lights, the hexagonal radiator grille and the large headlamps have evolved. Horizontal lines dominate at the rear, with the vertically arranged light units providing an appealing contrast.

The striking profile of the headlamp units deviates from the circular shape that is otherwise typical of the brand. Their distinctive, slightly asymmetrically rounded contour goes together with the radiator grille to produce an unmistakable front view. The parking lights integrated in the air inlets are used for the daytime driving light as standard. In conjunction with the optional LED headlamps, the latter is generated for the first time by a band of light running entirely around each headlamp.

In the interior of the new MINI Countryman, both driver and front passenger get extended head and shoulder space, while the adjustment range of the seats has also been enlarged. Electrical adjustment of the driver and front passenger seats is optionally available, including a memory function on the driver’s side. The narrow body columns and the high seating position make for optimum visibility when manoeuvring. At the rear of the new MINI Countryman there are three fully-fledged seats. The rear door openings have been enlarged as compared to the predecessor model, now enabling a more convenient entrance and exit. In addition to interior width, leg space is also now significantly more.

The new edition of the MINI Countryman lines up for the start featuring entirely newly developed engine technology. At launch there are two petrol and two diesel engines of the latest generation, each with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology:

MINI Cooper Countryman: 3-cylinder petrol engine, capacity: 1 499 cc,

output: 100 kW/136 hp, max. torque: 220 Nm.

MINI Cooper S Countryman: 4-cylinder petrol engine, capacity: 1 998 cc, output: 141 kW/192 hp, max. torque: 280 Nm.

MINI Cooper D Countryman: 4-cylinder diesel engine, capacity: 1 995 cc, output: 110 kW/150 hp, max. torque: 330 Nm.

MINI Cooper SD Countryman: 4-cylinder diesel engine, capacity: 1 995 cc, output: 140 kW/190 hp, max. torque: 400 Nm. The range also includes the first ever MINI with plug-in hybrid drive in the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 with the 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine.

An electric tailgate control is available as an option. This makes touchless opening and closing of the tailgate possible. The optional storage package comprises not only a variable load floor but also a stainless steel insert on the loading sill. One unique option is the Picnic Bench – a flexible surface that folds out of the luggage compartment and provides seating for two people.

New MINI Countryman will be premiered at the Los Angeles Auto Show early next week. The launch in Europe will follow in February 2017 and other market launches will be later.

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