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Weekend roadtest: MINI Countryman
publication date: Sep 4, 2010
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author/source: David Miles
 | The MINI range is going maxi with models as the
fourth addition, the Countryman, goes on sale on 18 September following
Hatch, Convertible and Clubman variants.
All the UK’s
allocation of Countryman models is sold out for this year and order
books are filling up for next year when around 15,000 units should be
available. |
The Clubman is like no other Mini or MINI model we
have experienced before in the 51 year history of the brand during its
time under British and now German ownership. The Clubman is the largest
MINI ever, the first to have four passenger doors, seating for five and
models which offer ALL4 four wheel drive. The Countryman is also the
first MINI not to be built at Oxford the spiritual home of the brand –
it is coming from Magna Styr in Austria which also builds the BMW X3
sports activity vehicle.
The Countryman is offered in seven
models, two of which offer ALL4, MINI’s new four wheel drive system. At
launch the range has 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.
The Hams Hall
Birmingham built 1.6-litre petrol four cylinder units with 98,122 and
184hp power outputs all feature variable valve timing. The Cooper S has a
twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection. The new 1.6-litre
four cylinder, 90 and 112hp turbodiesel engines are BMW’s Austrian built
units which replace the shared PSA Peugeot-Citroen powerplants used for
previous MINI models.
| All models have six speed manual
gearboxes and an automatic transmission option is available for all
petrol engine cars. The Cooper D Countryman will become available with
an automatic gearbox in March 2011.
Prices range from £16,000 to
£22,030 but the MINI premium ownership experience doesn’t stop there as
there are the usual must-have optional extra cost styling and equipment
packs, Salt, Pepper and Chili, will add considerably to the final price
and £28,500 would be a guide price for a top spec Cooper S ALL4 Chili
pack version. |  | | | | Lee Connolly MINI’s product manager expects 75 to
80% of UK sales to come from conquest customers new to the brand. He
also said they expect 70% of UK sales to be to retail customers and 70%
of customers will opt for petrol engine models.
MINI had initially
estimated that 30% of UK customers would choose the ALL4 four wheel
drive option but in fact 85% of advance orders are for models with this
option but Connolly expects the demand for ALL4 models to even out to
40%. The single best selling Countryman model is expected to be the
Cooper 122hp, 160Nm two wheel drive version priced at £17,510.
Speaking
at the UK media press launch this week Jochen Goller, director of MINI
UK said, “Countryman takes the MINI brand to a new level. With extra
space, ALL4 and four doors we believe the MINI Countryman will appeal to
a completely different audience. I think we are on to a winner and the
fact the range is all sold out for this year and we have strong orders
for next year is very encouraging.”
He added, “The demand for
crossovers has grown substantially; modern drivers want the best of both
worlds with normal saloon car driving responses as well as the added
versatility of soft off-road ability and the interior flexibility to
cope with family transport needs.”
|  | More MINI models will be added
to the current four version line-up in the near future. Oxford built
MINI two seater Coupe and Roadster versions are due to appear in 2011
and 2012 respectively and a Countryman Coupe ALL4 version might be
more than just motoring gossip.
The MINI returns to the world
rallying scene with the Countryman ALL4 WRC which is being developed in
partnership with the British motorsport company of Prodrive. A limited
season of five to six events is scheduled for 2011 with a full season
planned for 2012. |
| First impressions | The MINI Countryman is available with 1.6-litre petrol or
diesel engines and with the option of two and four wheel drive
versions.
Prices range from £16,000 to £20,810 for two wheel drive models and up
to £23,580 for the ALL4 versions with an automatic gearbox.
All 2,500 units scheduled for the UK market this year are sold and
around 15,000 will be available for UK customers next year.
MINI expect 75-80% of sales will be to conquest customers, 70% will be
retail buyers, 70% will choose petrol power models, initially 85% of
customers have ordered ALL4 version but in the longer term 60% of users
will choose the less costly two wheel drive versions. |  |
The likely single best selling model will be the Cooper 122hp petrol,
two wheel drive version priced at £17,495. The new ALL4 four wheel
drive system adds £1,065 to the cost of a Cooper D (diesel) and £1,220
to a Cooper S.
All versions have a six-speed manual transmission as standard but a
six-speed automatic is available for all petrol models now and the
Cooper D Countryman will be available from March 2011.
The Countryman with four doors and options of four or five seating
layouts, plus a rear tailgate, at 4,097mm in length with a height of
1,561mm and a width of 1,789mm it is the biggest MINI/Mini ever in its
51 year history.
The Countryman offers 190-litres more boot space than a MINI Hatch and
90-litres more than a Clubman at 350-litres with the rear seats in use.
With them folded the Countryman offers a maximum 1,170-litres of cargo
space.
Inside the MINI Countryman is all about comfort, practicality and
innovative style with a ‘premium’ feel. The higher seating position
offers better visibility for the driver and passengers, a feature
particularly appreciated by children.
The main attention grabbing news is the use of all wheel drive as an
option for the Countryman. This is the first time in MINI’s 51 year
history that all wheel drive is on offer. Initially two versions, the
MINI Cooper D and Cooper S have the ALL4 option while a MINI Cooper ALL4
version will follow in 2012.
Bearing in mind Winter is on its way and not forgetting the ice and snow
which brought our roads to a standstill last Winter, the demand for
Countryman ALL4 versions is very high. Demand for crossovers is equally
good as customers return to buying SUVs so the Countryman is arriving at
the right time.
But it is quite a different sort of MINI. Yes it still adopts the
go-kart image of a wheel at each corners, it is relatively compact so
it’s easy to park but it feels significantly more substantial, a MINI
but not as we know it. Where MINI wasn’t big enough for some families
it now is, but the unique lightweight agility has become bulky and
somewhat ponderous.
It is certainly comfortable and offers a relaxed
ride and that will appeal to owners outside the normal circle of MINI
customers. Its image and must-have desirability for new affluent
customers to the brand will be significant.
| MILESTONES MINI Cooper S ALL4 Countryman £22,030 (plus options £6,390 on the test car)
Engine/Transmission:
1.6-litre, four cylinder, direct injection petrol with twin-scroll
turbocharger, 184hp, 240Nm of torque from 1,600rpm, 6-speed manual, all
wheel drive. Performance: 130mph, 0-62mph 7.9 seconds, 46.3mpg (28.1mpg
actual), CO2 157g/km, VED £155, BIK company car tax 20%
Insurance
group: tba. Load space: 350-1,170-litres
For: Will bring an important
and wide range of new customers to the brand, desirable image, all wheel
drive option, new and responsive engines, very well equipped,
comfortable ride
Against: Looses MINI’s renowned agility but gains all
wheel drive, costly to buy but offset by highest residual values. A
MINI, but not as we have known it.
© David Miles |
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