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The final piece of the puzzle for the MINI range has arrived in the form of the MINI Countryman and is available in dealerships now.

 

There are four new models on offer – the Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD – which are available in both petrol and diesel versions as well as the option of front or all-wheel drive. MINI Australia General Manager, Tony Sesto, has said: “The new MINI Countryman introduces the excitement of the MINI range to the Premium Compact segment.”

 

The new MINI Countryman is aiming to provide active families with a car that has ample space, comfort and efficiency.

 

To achieve these aims the new Countryman models have been beefed up a whopping 199mm in length and 33mm in width to 4,299mm and 1822mm respectively, whilst the roof has been raised 13mm to 1557mm. With the wheelbase growing 75mm to 2670mm this gives the car a lot more interior space.

 

On the outside, the satin silver mouldings, emphasised roof rails, redesigned grille and front apertures, wider rear D-pillar and a revised tailgate combine to create a more modern appearance. There are now also Daytime Running Lights available.

 

If this wasn’t enough there is also the option to alter the exterior aesthetic from the standard ‘Elegant’ theme. There is either the ‘Offroad’ option, with the MINI All4 off-road styling package, or a sportier style with the John Cooper Works Chili Package.

 

Alas, the interior is not forgotten, apart from the increase in interior size, which claims to now fit five adults comfortably, the Countryman also receives a higher-set driving position.

 

Second-row passengers are not overlooked with up to 130mm of fore-aft adjustment and a 40/20/40 split-fold.

 

Storage is offered via a range of storage sections including under the driver’s seat and in the full centre console. Variable layout in the rear now offers a maximum carrying capacity of 450 litres, a 100-litre increase from the predecessor.

 

The redesigned interior aims to create a modern look and feel which can be personalised with the MINI Yours programme.

 

Safety has been a strong focus for the new Countryman. Standard across the range is Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation, High Beam Assistant and Speed Limit Info, which provides the driver information about the speed zone limit the car is passing through. Add to this cloth or leather covered sports seats, comfort access and a reversing camera and it is clear to see there is an impressive array of standard equipment included.

 

 

 

From $39,000, it is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 100kW and 220Nm. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 6.0L/100km, with zero-100km/h acceleration of 9.6 seconds.

 

• Six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission
• Reversing Camera
• Front park distance control
• Park assist
• Comfort access
• Active Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’ function, operable between 0-140km/h
• Driver Assistant Package (includes Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation (AEB), High Beam Assistant and Speed Limit Info)
• DAB+ digital radio
• 18-inch light alloy wheels with run-flat tyres
• Automatic tailgate operation
• MINI logo projection

 

Opting for the $43,900 MINI Cooper D Countryman brings a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine generating 110kW and 330Nm. Fuel consumption for this front-driven variant is 4.8L/100km on the combined cycle with an 8.8-second zero to 100km/h time.

 

• Eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission
• Reversing Camera
• Front park distance control
• Park assist
• Comfort access
• Active Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’ function, operable between 0-140km/h
• Driver Assistant Package (includes Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation (AEB), High Beam Assistant and Speed Limit Info)
• DAB+ digital radio
• 18-inch light alloy wheels with run-flat tyres
• Automatic tailgate operation
• MINI logo projection

 

The $46,500 MINI Cooper S Countryman represents a sportier take on the Countryman theme. Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and driving the front wheels, the front-drive Cooper S Countryman outputs 141kW and 280Nm. This variant consumes 6.5L/100km while accelerating from zero to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds. It rides on 18-inch light alloy wheels.

 

• Eight-speed Steptronic sports automatic transmission
• MINI Driving Modes
• Reversing camera
• Front park distance control
• Park assist
• Comfort Access
• Active Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’ function, operable between 0-140km/h
• Driver Assistant Package (includes Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation (AEB), High Beam Assistant and Speed Limit Info)
• DAB+ digital radio
• Rear armrest with cupholders
• LED headlights with cornering function
• Automatic tailgate operation
• MINI logo projection

 

Available from $51,500 the Australian launch range is headed by the MINI Cooper SD All4 Countryman with an all-wheel drive system that is designed to maximise traction. Peak power is 140kW, with a substantial 400Nm of torque. Fuel use is set at 5.2L/100km, with zero-100km/h acceleration achieved in 7.4 seconds.

 

• Eight-speed Steptronic sports automatic transmission
• MINI Driving Modes
• Reversing camera
• Front park distance control
• Park assist
• Comfort Access
• Active Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’ function, operable between 0-140km/h
• Driver Assistant Package (includes Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation (AEB), High Beam Assistant and Speed Limit Info)
• DAB+ digital radio
• Rear armrest with cup holders
• LED headlights with cornering function
• Automatic tailgate operation
• MINI logo projection

 

• LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
• LED foglights
• Adaptive cornering lights
• Driving modes

• Chili package (for Cooper/Cooper D)
• JCW aerodynamics package with modified front and rear aprons and rear spoiler
• Roof rails and side sills in Piano Black or Satin Silver
• 18-inch John Cooper Works ‘Thrill Spoke’ light-alloy wheels
• MINI Driving Modes and Performance Control (Cooper/Cooper D)
• Choice of Dynamic Damper Control or Sports Suspension
• Leather Cross Punch upholstery in Carbon Black
• John Cooper Works leather steering wheel (Cooper/Cooper D)
• John Cooper Works gear shift lever
• John Cooper Works door sill finishers
• Anthracite roof lining

• Picnic bench rear seat
• Rear-seat armrest (Cooper/Cooper D)
• Luggage compartment separating net
• Tyre pressure monitoring system

• Professional navigation with 8.8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition and 3D mapping
• 12-speaker Harman/Kardon Hi-Fi system
• Head Up Display

• Electric front seats with memory function and electrically adjustable lumbar support
• Alarm with illumination of roof-mounted aerial fin when armed
• Interior and exterior mirror package