Published on April 14th, 2017 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez
0MINI’s All-New MINI Countryman Arrives from RM239,888
MINI has just unveiled the All-New 2nd generation MINI Countryman. Two variants were unveiled, the All-New MINI Cooper Countryman and MINI Cooper S Countryman.
Design: powerful proportions, matured character.
The All-New MINI Countryman features design elements that are typical of the brand, including the iconic three-way structure of the side view made up of its roof, glass house section and main body as well as short overhands, large wheel arches and downward increase in width.
The All-New MINI Countryman has essentially grown in size, but is still able to retain the typical MINI proportions. Now 20 centimetres longer than its predecessor and approximately three centimetres 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.
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. Its satin-finished aluminium combined with silver-coloured side sill tops create greater visual emphasis to the car’s height.
Additionally, the All-New MINI Countryman – for the first time ever – is equipped with auto LED Headlamps with Cornering Lights, a perfect addition that allows adventurers to venture the great outdoors at night. The new Cornering Lights 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.
In terms of wheel options, the All-New MINI Cooper Countryman offers 18” Light Alloy Wheels while the MINI Cooper S Countryman offers 19” MINI Yours Light Alloy Wheels. Both variants are equipped with run-flat tyres as standard.
Powerful engines with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology.
For the first time ever, the all-new MINI Countryman is powered by the latest generation of the BMW Group’s 3- and 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engines that make the MINI faster, feistier and more fuel efficient than its predecessor.
The All-New MINI Cooper Countryman is now 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. Selling price is RM239,888.00.
The All-New MINI Cooper S Countryman, meanwhile, 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, reaching a top speed of 224 km/h. These figures are combined with an average fuel consumption of 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres. A rarity in its class, the MINI Cooper S Countryman has an eight-speed transmission that enables impeccably fluid gear changes, while the Steptronic function allows the driver to choose between the ease of automatic shifting and the visceral thrill of the manual driving experience. Selling price for this high performance Countryman is a smidgen more at RM269,888.00.
Adventurous driving: MINI Driving Modes and high standard safety features.
The MINI Driving Modes are activated by a rotary switch at the base of the gear or selector lever. The set-up of the All-New MINI Countryman can be selected according to one of the three modes: MID, SPORT and GREEN. Jump into the GREEN mode for leisure cruising and optimized fuel efficiency or choose the SPORT mode for a more responsive acceleration and handling. To experience the best of both worlds, choose the MID mode.
Interior: Generous space and exclusive ambience.
The prominent results of the All-New MINI Countryman advancing into the Premium Segment is portrayed significantly in the increased space on five fully-fledged seats as well as a definite increase in storage volume and luggage transport versatility. Coupled with some of the most high-end materials and surface finishes ever put into a MINI and highly-functional features, the All-New MINI Countryman is as premium as it is practical while giving an edge for any outdoor adventure.
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.
Extensive storage facilities inside the new MINI vehicles includes both front and rear door pockets that hold one-litre beverage bottles and the fully-fledged centre console extending up to the instrument panel now also has an integrated storage compartment with two cup holders in front of the gear or selector lever. Both the All-New MINI Countryman variants are also fitted with a dual-zone automatic air conditioning and an interior rear view mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function.
The All-New MINI Cooper S Countryman exclusively offers electric seat adjustment feature with memory function that allows the driver to keep record of his or her preferred seating position. The seats also include lumbar support for maximum comfort as well as ergonomic posturing.
Functionality: Versatility beyond borders.
A new feature that is unique to the All-New 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 the areas of infotainment, communication and driving experience, the All-New MINI Countryman is further enhanced with MINI Connected which offers an extensive range of in-car smartphones integration on a 6.5” 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 All-New MINI Countryman also offer Rear View Camera as a standard offering.
In terms of offering for storage, the All-New MINI Countryman is equipped with larger storage facilities to reflect its optimised functionality and versatility. 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.
The All-New 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 All-New 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.