Mini Countryman 2012 News

Mini delves into the details of the upcoming second-generation Countryman SUV ahead of its public premiere at the Los Angeles motor show. Australian arrival pegged for first half of 2017.It may have been one of the most divisive models in the brand's 57-year history, but the Countryman SUV has earned its place in Mini's model line-up. Considering that desirable but underperforming models such as the Coupe, Roadster, and Paceman are reportedly facing the axe, Mini has committed themselves to the Countryman by rolling out the second-generation model.With Mini repositioning themselves in the ‘premium compact segment' and aiming for a more mature audience, the new Countryman's appearance reflects the brand's changing appeal.Continuing Mini's design evolution that is rooted heavily in tradition, the new Countryman doesn't stray too far from its predecessor in its overall proportions. Though the new Countryman bears plenty of its predecessor's key design cues such as the ‘helmet roof', squarish headlights, and its unmistakable hexagonal front grille, its lines are sharper and its taut surfaces are better defined.Several details on the body has been refined, such as the metal edging that draws a distinctive black band around the car and connects the wheel arches, is said to be made squarer in its appearance, whereas its side turn indicators housed on its side scuttles are now arrow-shaped. Aligning the new Countryman with the rest of the current Mini range are styling such as the LED DRL rings around the headlights, and the enlarged rear lights with the circular lighting elements.The biggest exterior change, however is size. Measuring 4,299mm long and 1,822mm wide, the Countryman has grown by 202mm and 33mm respectively. The Countryman's wheelbase has also expanded by 75mm to 2,670mm, and at 1,557mm tall it is only marginally higher than before. By comparison, the new Countryman is only 140mm shorter than the current X1, but just as wide.All that growth is said to translate into a larger cabin space, with the cabin offering five fully fledged seats, and up to 13cm longitudinal adjustment for the rear seats. Mini says that there is more head and shoulder space up front, while the rear door openings have been enlarged and, more importantly, it has more legroom to offer.The Countryman's interior has a more premium appearance.Round the back the new model now offers 450 litres of boot space, which can be expanded to 1,309 litres with the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats folded down, a maximum increase of 220 litres over its predecessor.Of course a Mini wouldn't be complete without a few unconventional fixtures. Instead of a stainless steel insert on the loading sill of the rear boot, the Countryman can now be specified with a flexible ‘Picnic Bench' that can be folded out to provide seating for two.  As demonstrated with the Clubman - the first model under Mini's brand realignment - the Countryman's interior has a more premium appearance.Mirroring the Clubman's dashboard layout closely, the Countryman's is wider and features an electric parking brake switch located on the centre console, allowing room to squeeze in additional storage compartments in front of the gear lever. Like the Clubman, the Countryman can be specified with diagonal stitched seating upholstery and the Mini Yours option that features illuminated patterns that are projected from translucent strips which are integrated into the trim.New to the Mini brand is an optional 8.8-inch touchscreen that is integrated into the centre instrument panel that is encircled by Mini signature LED ring, a feature that is just only getting introduced into BMW model range with the 7-Series and now the new 5-Series. The touchscreen multimedia system can also be controlled via the Touch Controller dial, and is part of the optional Wired package which includes the Mini navigation system Professional.Another development that is unique to the Countryman is the optional Mini Country Timer feature that registers the vehicle's movement over slopes, ditches, or slippery surfaces from the control unit of the stability control feature. The information is then gathered to display playful graphics that describes the vehicle's status in relation to the driver's driving. Mini has confirmed that it will be introduced here in the first half of next year.As for powertrain options, the Countryman will come with five engine options internationally, comprising of two petrol and two diesel engines it shares with the standard hatch range, and the brand's first plug-in hybrid model, the Cooper S E Countryman ALL4.For standard petrol engines, the Countryman range starts off with the Cooper variant, with its 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit, followed by the Cooper S with a 141kW/280Nm 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill.In regards to diesel powertrains, both the Cooper D and Cooper SD features a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with power outputs of 110kW/330Nm and 140kW/400Nm respectively.While the Cooper comes with a choice of a six-speed manual or automatic, the Cooper S and Cooper D can be specified with an eight-speed automatic, though that transmission comes as a standard fitment on the Cooper SD.That being said the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D, and Cooper SD are available with an all-new ALL4 all-wheel drive, as an option. The new ALL4 system is said to deliver quicker reaction times thanks to the integration of a power take-off unit in the front differential and the Dynamic Stability Control unit, whilst being more compact and offers better efficiency.Although the Cooper S E plug-in hybrid variant wears the ALL4 designation, it doesn't have an actual ALL4 all-wheel drive mechanicals beneath. Instead it's all-wheel drive capability is similar in principle to that of the i8 with a 65kW electric motor powering the rear wheels and the 100kW 3-cylinder petrol sending power to the front via a six-speed automatic, giving a total system output of 165kW and 385Nm of torque. According to Mini the electric motor is able to haul the Countryman up to a speed of 125km/h, though no details have been released on its all-electric range.For now exact details on Countryman models bound for Australia are yet to be finalised, though Mini has confirmed that it will be introduced here in the first half of next year. While BMW Australia can neither confirm nor deny if the Cooper S E variant will be amongst the new Countryman's line-up here, Lenore Fletcher, BMW Australia's general manager of corporate communications says that they are keen on introducing it here to complement the group's extensive range of plug-in hybrid and all-electric models.

The JCW Countryman is the first performance model of the range to come with Mini ALL4 all-wheel drive. Power comes from a newly developed four-cylinder, turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 160 kW/280Nm (300Nm with overboost).It's the most powerful drive unit in the Mini range, featuring construction principles and materials adapted specially from race-trim cars. There's a combination of twin-scroll turbocharger, petrol direct injection and fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group's Valvetronic technology.It gives the JCW Countryman acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.0 seconds and stand-out efficiency in this output class. Mini also uses plenty of its ‘Minimalism’ fuel saving technology including brake energy regeneration, gear shift indicator, auto start-stop function and electric power steering. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard with a six-speed auto optional. It has steering wheel shift paddles. Other standard kit includes a sports exhaust that produces a stirring soundtrack and a Sport button that tweaks the engine's responses and vocal character, the power assistance provided by the steering and the shift dynamics of the optional automatic gearbox. Power distribution is varied seamlessly between the front and rear axles by an electromagnetic centre differential positioned directly on the final drive. A range of electronic dynamic controls is fitted. The JCW model has a sports suspension with firmly tuned springs and dampers, strengthened anti-roll bars and a 10-millimetre drop in ride height; powerful brakes with red calipers and extra-lightweight 18-inch twin spoke alloy wheels optional to 19s. Inside it gets a JCW cockpit with sports seats, sports steering wheel, interior trim strips in piano black, anthracite-coloured roof liner, dark speedometer and rev counter dials and John Cooper Works door sills. 

...some of the highest and most rugged mountains and temperatures ranging from 50C to freezing.In the end, the mighty Mini, loosely based on the All4 Countryman, conquered the 2012 Dakar Rally which began on January 1 and finished last Sunday. Five Minis started and incredibly five finished in the top 10, including first and second.Mini was the favourite before the event with its entries prepared by the successful Frankfurt-based X-Raid company, and a collection of champion drivers, including the victorious Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel who has now won four car titles and six times on a motorcycle.The Minis cost $1.1m each and, although based on the road going Countryman costing about $40,000-$60,000, they are much higher and wider, with 16-inch wheels and a carbon body. And instead of 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine, they have a three-litre, six-cylinder turbo diesel.The only standard parts are the lights, windscreen door handles taillights. The rest is pure prototype. VW pulled out this year after winning the past three rallies, including a trifecta last year, paving the way for another manufacturer to take over.Prior to VW, Mitsubishi dominated from 2001-07 for a combined total of 12 wins over 33 years with the 2008 rally cancelled due to terrorist threats. The following year the event shifted from North Africa to South America where it has retained "the spirit of Dakar" with its rugged terrain.This year's course was claimed to be the toughest yet with man and machine tackling high temperatures of 50C and stage six cancelled because of persistent snow storms over the Andes.Entry to this gruelling event is costly with some teams spending millions on car preparation and millions more with back-up crew, trucks and spares.VW made the most of its expensive victories with substantial advertising campaigns, in particular its promotion of the Amarok pick-up which was merely a back-up vehicle for last year's rally. But don't expect the same from Mini after its win at its second attempt.BMW Group Australia head of corporate communications Piers Scott points out that the five cars were part of a private team entry, not a factory team."Aside from the car, and obvious technical assistance, I don't think there is too much in the way of an official connection to the X-raid team, besides the fact that it is led by Sven Quandt, who obviously is a son of Herbert Quandt," he said.(Quandt was a German industrialist lauded for turning BMW from bankruptcy to profit.) "Therefore, I don't think there are any plans to shout about it too loudly, but it certainly sets the tone nicely for Mini's increasing involvement in motorsport."Mini was pushed throughout this year's rally by the Hummers of Nascar legend Robby Gordon and last year's winner Nasser Al-Attiyah, and single private entry of 2009 winner Giniel De Villiers in a Toyota Hi-Lux.While the big-money Mini entry caught all the headlines, the De Villiers entry gave Toyota a surprising and much-needed boost after a tough 2011 when it slipped from the world's top sellers in the wake of the tsunami in Japan and floods in Thailand.He finished third behind the Minis, even though his machine was made to comply with next year's Dakar engine specifications. Another surprisingly successful entry was the Great Wall SUV driven Portugal's Carlos Souza, who has raced for Mitsubishi, Nissan and Volkswagen. Over a 10-year period, except for a disappointing 2010 rally, Souza has never finished outside the top 10, with a best of fourth in 2003.He finished an amazing seventh and 4.5 hours behind. The result gives the Chinese manufacturer something to smile about after the disappointing two-star safety rating it scored in the Australia New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) last year for its utilities.Dakar officials this year limited the entries to 171 cars, 185 bikes, 33 quad bikes and 76 trucks. However, only 97 motorcycles, 12 quads, 78 cars and 60 trucks made it to the finishing line. Among those was Team Latvia's OSCar eO, the event's first electric vehicle.The OSCar eO has an "engine" bay filled with 52.5kWh of batteries and is powered by an electric motor nominally rated at 210kW with a top speed of 140km/h and range of 800km. Like GM's Volt, which will be available for sale in Australia later this year as a Holden, the OSCar eO has a back-up petrol generator that charges the batteries to extend the electric vehicle's range.In this case it's a 3.5-litre V6 Nissan engine. The vehicle finished 77th or second last, but at least it finished, which is always difficult in the world's toughest motorsport event. Expect to see more electrics vehicles competing in future.The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show.The bike category was an arm wrestle between KTM teammates Cyril Despres of France and Marc Coma of Spain with three wins each. They exchanged lead at almost every stage and when Despres was stuck in the mud late in the rally it looked like Coma's fourth.However, the officials deleted the time delay because other riders were diverted from the obstacle and it came down to a tight finish with Despres the victor. Argentine brothers Alejandro and Marcos Patronelli won the quad section on their Yamahas, while Dutch teams took out the top two truck positions in Ivecos.DAKAR 2012 WINNERSCARS1 Peterhansel (Fra) Cottret (Fra) Mini2 Roma (Spain) Perin (Fra) Mini3 De Villiers (S Af), Von Zitzewitz (Ger) Toyota4 Novitskiy (Rus) Schulz (Ger) Mini5 Gordon (USA) Campbell (USA) Hummer6 Alvarez (Arg) Graue (Arg) Toyota7 Sousa (Por) Garcin (Fra) Great Wall8 Leal Dos Santos (Por) Fiuza (Por) Mini9 Ten Brinke (Hol) Baumel (Fra) Mitsubishi10 Holowczyc (Pol) Fortin (Bel) MiniBIKES1 Despres (Fra) KTM2 Coma (Spa) KTM3 Rodrigues (Por) YamahaQUADS1 Patronelli (Arg) Yamaha2 Patronelli (Arg) Yamaha3 Maffei (Arg) YamahaTRUCKS1 De Rooy (Hol) Iveco2 Stacey (Hol) Iveco3 Ardavichus (Kaz) Kamaz

The Mini SUV will be launched in Australia next month and BMW Group Australia executive Piers Scott says there are rumours of a WRC kit being made available.  "We will be able to do things to build a replica," he says."I haven't seen the details of what the changes would be, but they would be more than just cosmetic.  There are also John Cooper Works kits in the pipeline but there is no conformation of an engine variant yet; but I wouldn't rule it out."The Countryman will start at $37,700 for the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre Cooper in two-wheel drive only.  The turbocharged Cooper S Countryman will start at $47,500 for the two-wheel-drive model and $50,400 for the "ALL4" four-wheel drive.A two-litre turbo diesel Cooper D will start at $40,950 and will also have a choice of two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.  Scott says there may also be another diesel engine choice down the track.The Countryman will compete in six European rounds of the WRC starting in Sweden on February 13, but not Australia.  "However, we have been offered drives for Australian guests and journalists in the shake-down at some of these events," Scott says.He points out that the WRC vehicle bears few similarities to the X-Raid Countryman entry in the recent Dakar Rally in South America.  "That entry was at arm's length from BMW," he says.The X-Raid Mini was running a respectable ninth overall when driver Guerlain Chicherit rolled it three times during routine testing on a rest day.The Countryman was launched internationally in July last year."The lag in right-hand-drive production for Australia is because it has been extremely popular in the UK where there's a three-month waiting list.  But we should have enough supply here."The car has been anticipated for a long time so we have a lot of orders, mostly for the high spec.  There are a lot of aftersales accessories already on the market because it has been out so long."Piers also says Mini electric scooters - revealed at the Paris Motor Show last October -  are "still on the cards" and that the Mini Coupe two-seater will arrive in July.

But though Europe's top-selling Volkswagen Golf is in the five-door Mini Countryman's sights, in price and its ability to be tailored to each buyer make it appeal more to the prestige car buyer and, in doing so, ironically, compete with products from its parent BMW.Mini today said the Countryman, which goes on sale in Australia in January at pricing and final specs still unknown, puts 'clear water' between it and the existing Mini models and claims the bigger hatch will lure a different audience.That may be true. Inside the Mini Countryman uses its 130mm longer wheelbase to offer excellent legroom for the two rear passengers - a three-seat rear bench is available as an option - and its high profile for a tall ceiling height.It is clearly aimed at the Mini buyer with more than one friend and though rival five-door cars can offer more room in the boot and a cheaper price tag, nothing really spells exclusivity like this latest model. In the flesh, it's big. At 4.1m long it is almost medium size hatch class and that is enforced by its near 1.6m height.The wheels are 17-inch - though 16s are standard on the base model and 8s are available - and pump out the guards so that, combined with the 'wheel at each corner' design, make it look even more toy-like than the three-door model. But it is balanced - certainly more so than the asymetrical lines and doors of the Mini Clubman wagon - and attracted curious but not divergent opinion this week.Part of the reason for the acceptance is that the Countryman is presented as an all-wheel drive. Mini doesn't exactly term it an SUV because it doesn't see it ever being a softroader. Rather, it points to the AWD system - an on-demand system from Haldex - as providing extra traction for those icy or gravel roads that may be an impediment to reaching your favourite ski field or surf spot. Global car audiences love SUVs and even pseudo-SUVs.Mini says that the Countryman "bridges the gap between the classic Mini concept and a state-of-the-art Sports Activity Vehicle"."The design of the Mini Countryman exudes originality, performance, a dependable robustness and versatility. And yet the customary MINI charm and individual allure remain resoundingly intact.''There's no new badge to identify the Countryman. Rather, trainspotters will need to pick out the five-door design and if in doubt, will recognise the Countryman's hexagonal-patterned grille that stands more vertical than that of the other Mini models.The engines will follow existing Mini trends in Australia, with Cooper and Cooper S in diesel and petrol confirmed but Mini says the full John Cooper Works program is unlikely.