MINI Countryman Makes UK Debut

Here’s the latest from MINI on their newest car, the Countryman. Sure to be a success, the new MINI is now ubiquitous on UK roads and I can vouch for the popularity – a street only a couple of hundred metres from my house has 4 MINIs! The Countryman is the largest in the MINI range and is likely to go head to head with the new Nissan Juke.

MINI will launch its latest and largest model, the MINI Countryman, to the UK market on September 18 2010. Countryman will be the fourth member of the MINI family following Hatch, Convertible and Clubman but the first to have four doors, seating for five adults and the first to offer four wheel drive. The MINI Countryman will be available in seven models, two of which will offer ALL4, MINI’s new four wheel drive option. Countryman offers more space, more practicality and more versatility than any MINI before and it will also spearhead MINI’s return to the World Rally Championship in 2011.

“Countryman takes the MINI story to a new level in the brand’s 51 year heritage” said Jochen Goller, Director of MINI UK. “With extra space, ALL4 and four doors we believe the MINI Countryman will appeal to a completely new audience and with prices starting at £16,000 with a very high standard specification, I think we are on to a winner” he said. “The fact that Countryman is already sold out for this year indicates that MINI showrooms are going to be popular this autumn” Goller observed.

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.

The MINI Countryman range offers a sparkling array of standard equipment including:

* Roof rails that facilitate various attachments like roof boxes or roof racks
* Thatcham Category 1 alarm system,
* Air conditioning,
* Heated door mirrors and washer jets,
* RearParkDistance Control
* MINI Centre Rail system.
* Multi-function rear seats – the five seat fitment being standard in the UK, although the four seat option will be at no cost.
* Dynamic Stability Control (DTC for ALL4 models)
* Electric power steering with Servotronic speed-related assistance
* Six airbags
* ISOFIX child safety seat mountings
* Tyrepuncture warning system
* Standard Central Bass Hi Fi system with six speakers
* DAB digital radio with Radio Boost.
* Bluetooth telephone preparation
* USB connection.
* Passenger Airbag deactivation
* Preparation for a bicycle rack (including electrics)
* Non run-flat tyres