The Mini Countryman, also called Mini Crossover in Japan until 2024, is a subcompact crossover SUV, the first vehicle of this type to be launched by BMW under the Mini marque. It was launched in 2010 and received a facelift in 2014. The second generation vehicle was released in 2017 and received a facelift in 2020. The third generation of the Countryman was released in 2023.
Pre-production concepts
The Mini Crossover Concept previewed the design of the Countryman. It has four doors (2 right swing open, 1 left swing open, 1 left lift/sliding) and four single seats.[2] It was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.[3]
The 2010 Mini Beachcomber Concept was based on the Crossover Concept and the Mini Countryman, with no doors and no conventional roof. It included ALL4 all-wheel drive and offroad wheels. It was unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.[4][5][6]
First generation (R60; 2010)
The design of Mini's first five-door crossover echoed that of the Mini Crossover Concept. The production model was first unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.[8][9] UK models went on sale on 18 September 2010.[10][11] The availability of models varies between markets, with the United States and Russia not taking the One versions or any diesel-powered models. The All4 all-wheel-drive option is available on variable models, again depending on the country.
The ALL4 all-wheel-drive powertrain includes electro-hydraulic differential, positioned directly on the transmission's final drive, to vary the power distribution from front to rear. Under normal driving conditions, up to 50 percent of the engine's power goes to the rear wheels. Under "extreme" conditions ("extreme" being undefined) up to 100 percent heads to the back wheels.[12]
Second generation (F60; 2016)
The second generation Countryman was introduced at the LA Auto Show in November 2016 and went on sale in February 2017 in Europe, and March elsewhere.[40][41] It was launched with three variants: Cooper (FWD or ALL4), Cooper S (FWD or ALL4), and in June 2017, the new Cooper S E ALL4 plug-in hybrid. The new Countryman is 203 mm longer than the first generation, and 25 mm wider. The Cooper Countryman is powered by a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S uses a 2.0-litre turbo I4.
The Cooper S E plug-in hybrid combines a 134 hp (100 kW) 3-cylinder petrol engine and a 65 kW synchronous electric motor, producing a combined system output of 221 hp (165 kW) with system torque of 385 N·m (284 lb-ft). Average fuel consumption on the NEDC test cycle is 112 mpgUS, with emissions of 49 grams per kilometer. The 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery is positioned directly in front of the electric motor underneath the rear seat, delivering an all-electric range of up to 40 km and a top speed of 126 kph. Charging at a 240-volt socket takes 3 hours and 15 minutes.[42]
Mini makes the John Cooper Works edition available again in this generation with the tuned version based on the Cooper S. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine has been upgraded with a new heat-resistant turbocharger and additional inter-cooler, resulting in 228 bhp, 258 lbft of torque and a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.5 seconds.
Third generation (U25; 2023)
The third-generation Countryman was officially unveiled on 1 September 2023, featuring both battery electric and internal combustion powertrains, as well as similar styling cues to the all-electric Cooper, with four trim levels available: Essential, Classic, Favoured and JCW.[49] Production commenced in November 2023 for the ICE-versions, with the electric Countryman followed at a later date.[50][51]
The John Cooper Works Countryman version comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and the ALL4 all-wheel drive system.[52][53]
Overview
Motorsports
In July 2010, Mini announced plans to enter the World Rally Championship (WRC)[66] with the Countryman beginning in 2011, and entering season-long tournament starting from 2012.[67] The Countryman WRC is the rallying version of Mini Cooper S ALL4 developed with Prodrive beginning in early 2009, with a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport. The first test drive for the Mini Countryman WRC, which would also be available to customer teams, was planned for autumn 2010.[68] It was unveiled at the Paris Show in 2010.[69][70] The factory team had its first test outing of the 2011 WRC season at the 2011 Rally d'Italia Sardegna, before taking on the full calendar in 2012 and 2013. In the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, the RRC version had its first win at the 2012
Production
The first generation Countryman was primarily built in Graz, Austria, under contract by Magna Steyr, making it the first of the BMW era Minis to be manufactured entirely outside the UK.[79]
In 2013, assembly of the Countryman was expanded to three international locations: from April 2013 at BMW's plant near Chennai, India, specifically for the Indian market[80][81] from June 2013 at the BMW Group Malaysia Assembly Plant in Kulim, Kedah,[82] and at the BMW Manufacturing Thailand plant in Rayong from August 2013.[83]
In 2012, worldwide sales of Countryman reached 102,000 units,[84]
See also
External links
- Mini Countryman (Mini USA)
References
- MINI CROSSOVER | デザイン＆ハイライト | MINI Japan www.mini.jp^
- Paris Preview: 2010 MINI Crossover Concept Autoblog, 9 September 2008, retrieved 8 December 2018^
- Paris 2008: MINI Crossover Concept Autoblog, 2 October 2008, retrieved 8 December 2018