MINI Malaysia today unveiled the second-generation MINI Countryman that receives a fresh new look, new engine options and an even bigger body, making it the biggest MINI to date.
The all-new MINI Countryman has essentially grown in size. Now 200mm longer than its predecessor and approximately 30mm wider, the all-new MINI Countryman has a length of 4,299mm, a width of 1,822mm and a height of 1,557mm. Its distinctive proportions are also made up of a wheelbase that measures 2,670mm, while the track width is 1,585mm at the front and 1,587mm at the rear.
The all-new MINI Countryman also offers a larger storage space compared to its predecessor. When all five seats are in use, the luggage compartment has a volume of 450 litres. With 40:20:40 rear seat split, it allows the load volume to be increased up to 1,390 litres.
Visually, the Countryman remains close to the model it replaces. It can be characterized by an extended ground clearance and raised seating position, further emphasised by the MINI ALL4 Bodykit. The differentiated rear and front fenders with Piano Black bumper elements and the implied silver coloured sump guard further underlines the adventurous character of the MINI Countryman.
Adding to the car’s off-road character are versatile Roof Rails that can accommodate extra cargo such as a roof rack, a roof box or a bicycle rack.
For the first time ever, the MINI Countryman is now equipped with auto LED Headlamps with Cornering Lights. It that projects light to the direction of the steering direction while the new Icon Lights which remains activated in dimmed form creates a signature element for the MINI even when the headlights are switched on.
The all-new MINI Countryman also comes with a Picnic Bench that folds out of the boot to provide a comfortable seat on the luggage compartment lid. The Picnic Bench offers two extra seats outside of the car, a feature that comes in handy for outdoor use.
In terms of wheel options, the MINI Cooper Countryman offers 18-inch Light Alloy Wheels while the MINI Cooper S Countryman offers 19-inch MINI Yours Light Alloy Wheels. Both variants are equipped with run-flat tyres as standard.
The all-new MINI Countryman comes in a choice of two powertrain. The Cooper Countryman is powered by a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder inline engine combined with a 6-speed automatic Steptronic transmission. This enables the car to deliver an output of 136 hp and a maximum torque of 220 Nm. It sprints from zero to 100km/h in 9.6 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h and has a reduction in fuel consumption which amounts to as much as 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres.
The Cooper S Countryman on the other hand, houses a 2-litre 4-cylinder engine, which mobilises a peak output of 192 hp and a maximum torque of 280 Nm. It is able to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 7.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 224 km/h. These figures are combined with an average fuel consumption of 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The MINI Cooper S Countryman has an 8-speed transmission that enables impeccably fluid gear changes, while the Steptronic function allows the driver to choose between the ease of automatic shifting or the thrill of manual driving.
The MINI Countryman has a high-quality suspension that combines the tried-and-tested principle of a single-joint spring strut axle at the front and a multi-link rear axle with a design that is optimised for weight and rigidity. In addition to this and the electromechanical steering with Servotronic function are powerful brakes and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) which adjusts the vehicle’s output power to the wheels. This helps eliminate over-steering or under-steering as well as keeping the car on track.
The interior offering of the MINI Cooper Countryman includes Cloth Firework Carbon Black upholstery with Hazy Grey interior surfacing and a Chrome Line interior as well as a sports leather steering wheel.
The MINI Cooper S Countryman, meanwhile, offers MINI Yours Piano Black Illuminated interior surfacing that lights up the cockpit in any preferred choice of colour with Leather Cross Punch in Carbon Black upholstery as well as a John Cooper Works leather steering wheel with paddle shifters. It also comes standard with electric seat adjustment feature with memory function.
A new feature that is unique to the MINI Countryman and is offered as standard on both the Cooper and Cooper S variant is the Automatic Tailgate with easy opener function. The feature offers a foot-activated sensor to open and close the tailgate without having to press any button, thus providing absolute convenience when one’s hands are full. Specifically in the Cooper S variant of the MINI Countryman, the Automatic Tailgate offering works in unison with Comfort Access which enables the opening and locking of the doors of the MINI by a touch at the doors.
In terms of infotainment, communication and driving experience, the MINI Countryman is further enhanced with MINI Connected which offers an extensive range of in-car smartphones integration on a 6.5-inch high-resolution screen. With Spotify for example, the driver and passengers can be entertained with over 20 million songs. This apps among many others, can be downloaded from the App Store and be viewed on the MINI display and accessed easily via the car’s controls. Both variant of the MINI Countryman also offer Rear View Camera as a standard offering.
The MINI Countryman also introduces for the first time, two new paint finishes which are now available for a MINI including Chestnut and Island Blue. Other colour schemes include British Racing Green, Chili Red, Light White, Melting Silver, Midnight Black, and Moonwalk Grey. The Thunder Grey scheme is available exclusively on the MINI Cooper S Countryman.
The MINI Cooper Countryman and MINI Cooper S Countryman will be available for test drive for the public over the weekend of Saturday, 15th April and Sunday, 16th April at The International Gallery at Alya Kuala Lumpur – adjacent to TPC Kuala Lumpur (formerly KLGCC). The new models from MINI will also be available at all authorised MINI dealerships across the country during the same weekend.
The estimated retail prices (on the road for personal registration, without insurance) for the all-new MINI Countryman are:
- MINI Cooper Countryman: RM 239,888.00
- MINI Cooper S Countryman: RM 269,888.00
