Mini Countryman News

The freshly revealed Mini Countryman John Cooper Works boasts 170kW of power and 350Nm of torque, making the brand's all-wheel drive crossover its most powerful and largest production model to date.

Mini's largest car ever, the second-generation Countryman, has made its public debut at this week's Los Angeles motor show.

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.

How can the same car score five stars for crash safety in Europe and only four stars in Australia?

Mini adds $5000 worth of extras to Paceman and Countryman for 2015.More gear for the same asking price - that's the message Mini is sending with its revamped Countryman and Paceman.The BMW-owned British brand has given the pair some extra pep as well for their arrival next month but the claimed $5000 worth of extra gear is likely to generate more interest.The brand says the added features include satnav, audio upgrade and trim tweaks Its dashboard will have a 'new-look" instrument dial layout and air vent controls. Denser sound insulation improve scabin refinement.Cooper S versions of each, and the All4 variant of the Countryman, will pump out an extra 5kW. External changes include LED fog/daytime running lights, heated mirrors and windscreen washers.Countryman owners are not necessarily expected to go off-road - a main road through to the snow is more likely - so in addition to the heating functions there's also a new Offroad styling package standard on Cooper S All4 and Cooper SD All4 variants.Mini says the improvements are worth $5000, but it says it is (generously) absorbing these costs and aligning the prices - the upgraded Countryman and Paceman will start from $34,150, which is a $50 rise for the former and a cut for the latter by $1650.Mini Australia general manager Kai Bruesewitz says the brand is in the middle of 'an exciting and eventful year".'The launch of the all-new Mini Hatch in April heralded a new era in Australia, with enhanced specifications and a major increase in customer value," he says.Sales have perhaps not reflected the maker's excitement, which is why staffers are looking forward to the five-door.So far this year only 1258 Mini vehicles have rolled from showrooms, a 17 per cent drop on its 2013 performance to the same point. Alfa Romeo and Porsche, among others, are outselling Mini.Bruesewitz says there is more to come from the British automotive icon.

In the countdown to Halloween, Mini has released an ad that draws on well-known horror movie characters to showcase the Countryman softroader.The rear seats fit a hockey-masked villain from Friday the 13th, while another chainsaw-wielding maniac stashes his weapon in the boot and climbs in as well – both of them terrifying the young couple cowering in the Countryman.But it turns out the villians are themselves fleeing from an even more terrifying horror … 

The recall notice is for 329 of the Mini Countryman diesel and Paceman diesel sold between August 1 2010 and March 18 2013.Mini’s parent brand, BMW, says the defect means moisture can penetrate the plug-in connection of the adapter cable on the electric power steering, causing corrosion on the contacts and in some cases lead to the car catching fire – although there have been no occurrences so far in the local market. "There have been no reported incidences on this current recall in Australia," BMW spokesperson Lenore Fletcher said.The recall on the Mini models follows a larger one last week in which BMW recalled six diesel models: BMW 5 Series E60, BMW X5 Series E70, BMW X6 Series E71, BMW X3 Series E83, BMW 1 Series E87 and BMW 7 Series F01 & F02 – built between August 1 and November 30, 2009.The earlier recall notice cited a defect that means the electric contacts of the diesel fuel filter heating unit could short-circuit, leading to the risk of the vehicle catching fire – also with no local incidences reported.  However the notice also explains that the diesel fuel filter heater unit only operates at temperatures below -1° Celsius.BMW says owners should contact an authorised BMW motor vehicle service centre, or call the BMW Group Australia Customer Interaction Centre on freecall: 1800 813 299. 

It means every Mini model including hatch, Clubman, Coupe, Cabriolet, Roadster, Paceman, Countryman and GP now includes a John Cooper Works, or JCW, variant.All are powered by a new generation 1.6 litre four-cylinder direct injection engine featuring twin-scroll turbo technology, variable valve control and a host of technical features.Highlights include reinforced cylinder head and pistons, sodium filled exhaust valves and lightweight crankshaft which help the excellent revving capability With a maximum output of 155kW and 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm with overboost), which increases to 160kW and 280Nm (300Nm with overboost) in the all-wheel-drive JCW Countryman and  JCW Paceman.The exhaust note is trumpeted through a JCW sports exhaust system, which produces a deliberately tuned raw note under acceleration, along with a symphony of burbles and crackles on over-run.In two-wheel drive variants, the drive is transferred to the front wheels via a  six-speed manual transmission. In the case of the JCW Paceman and JCW Countryman, power is channelled via the electromagnetic centre differential of the all-wheel-drive system between the front and rear axles to all four wheels.An optional six-speed automatic transmission is available for all JCW variants except the JCW GP limited edition model. JCW sports suspension, which comes as either standard or a no-cost-option depending on the model, has dynamically tuned dampers and anti-roll bars.  Stopping power is enhanced by a high performance sports-brake system.A Sports button in the centre console allows the driver to tweak the engine's responses and soundtrack, as well as the power assistance provided by the steering. In models fitted with automatic transmissions, pressing the Sport button also quickens shift times.

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. 

... Paceman, which has been developed from a motor show tease into a car that could be sold as the Countryman Coupe.It's another of the more practical Mini models - definitely less wild than the Coupe - and is certain to join the line down under.