MANILA, Philippines - It’s the first Mini with four doors. It has a large tailgate and five full-size seats. It’s the Mini Countryman. And it’s the Mini for those who want a Mini but need a compact SUV—or at the very least, a crossover. (The Countryman comes with Mini’s optional ALL4 all-wheel drive.)
Looks-wise, it’s more Mini than SUV. All of the Mini’s iconic design elements are accounted for, save for a longer wheelbase and a higher ride height. Now an important pillar of growth for Mini with 350,000 units already sold worldwide, the compact Countryman has everything it takes to attract new target groups to the signature driving fun and distinctive style of the Mini.
The robust yet versatile character of the new Countryman is emphasized with visual underride guard elements for the front and rear apron as well as for the side sill area included as standard.
The range of exterior paint finishes has been expanded with the addition of Jungle Green metallic and Midnight Grey metallic, and Starlight Blue metallic paint is now available on the new Countryman. A contrasting paint finish for the roof and exterior mirror caps in black or white is standard.
Another customization option available for Mini for the first time is the new Piano Black Exterior. It comprises a paint finish in high-gloss black for selected surfaces. In addition to the surrounds of the headlamps and rear lights finished in chrome, dark shading is applied to the diagonal links between the A pillars and front wheel arches, the roof rails and the cross-ribs in the radiator grille.
The Countryman now comes with standard 17-inch light alloy wheels in the new 5-Star Triangle Spoke Design. Another new addition are the LED fog lights with parking and daytime driving lights in LED—available as standard for the first time. They provide an intense, bright white light with a much higher level of energy efficiency than conventional headlamps. The daytime driving light takes the form of a luminous ring fed by 15 LED units. When the parking lights are switched on, only five LED units are active in the upper third of the ring.
Inside, the Countryman offers five seats as standard along with the trademark Mini Center Rail attachment system fitted between the driver and front passenger seat. Thanks to astute suspension tuning and the longer wheelbase, the new Countryman offers a comfortable ride not only on rough terrain but also over longer distances. Meanwhile expansion of the luggage compartment from 350 to as much 1,170 liters provides space for luggage, bulkier sports equipment. The rear seats can be shifted longitudinally by up to 13cm, either together or in a 40/60 split. It is also possible to adjust the tilt of the seats, and the rear backrests can be folded down in a 40/20/40 split.
The displays and controls of the Countryman have been redesigned to enhance the car’s sporty flair and premium character. All variants of the new Countryman now have anthracite-colored speedo and tach in the style of the new Mini John Cooper Works (JCW) Countryman, whose central instrument now also bears the John Cooper Works logo. The standard trim of the new Countryman also includes chrome applications for the ventilation controls.
The Countryman’s extensive standard features in the area of active and passive safety led to a top score of 5 stars on the Euro NCAP crash test in 2010. The MINI Countryman was also awarded a TSP rating (2014 Top Safety Pick) by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The standard trim of the new Countryman now also includes daytime driving light and tire pressure monitor.
All Mini Countryman models boast Mini’s Twin Power Turbo technology (turbocharging, direct-injection, and Valvetronic) breathing life into 1.6-liter inline-four-cylinder engines with three levels of power.
The base 122hp (0 to 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds and 182 km/h top speed) P2,550,000 new Countryman comes with standard equipment including the multifunction steering wheel with cruise control, automatic air-conditioning and comfort access. The P3,050,000 190hp (0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and 212 km/h top speed) Cooper S Countryman, meanwhile, comes standard with additional features such as Xenon headlights and a power moonroof. The ultra-quick 218hp (0-100 km/h in 7 seconds and 223km/h top speed) JCW Countryman, which is based on Mini’s World Rally Championship contender, stickers for P3.9 million.