Maximum Mini: The new Countryman is the largest Mini ever
Berlin (dpa) — The third generation of the Mini Countryman makes history — by being the longest Mini ever at 4.43 metres. The increased length of the subcompact crossover SUV also comes with an increased price.
The combustion engine version costs at least €39,900 in Europe and anyone who wants to drive the first fully electric Countryman will have to pay at least €43,500.
Beyond the extra 13 centimetres in length, the Countryman still looks like a Mini. The charming googly eyes headlights and the snub nose are still there and you can have the Union Jack as part of the the rear lights if you want.
Inside, the designers have chosen minimalism, which means a drastically reduced amount of trim. In the interests of sustainability, there’s no chrome and the leather has been replaced with synthetic fibres.
And instead of a lot of bling, there are new light effects behind transparent consoles and practical refinements such as a multifunctional centre console with sliding elements and variable storage compartments.
And above all, there is more space than ever before. Back-seat passengers benefit noticeably from the longer wheelbase. The trunk has also increased significantly to 460 litres. And if you fold down the rear seat you’ve got 1,450 litres of storage.
Digital gadgets in the cockpit
If you're wondering whether this is all still Mini, the British BMW subsidiary will show you the new touchscreen. It’s now emblazoned in a circle in front of the centre console and bundles together all the information the driver needs.
The console also brings completely new worlds of experience with the various Mini driving modes. Instead of simply calibrating the steering, drive and suspension to be sportier or more comfortable, the modes change the entire ambience right down to the background noise and lighting.
When driving, however, the Mini feeling noticeably diminishes. Yes, the Countryman is a little more tuned than competitors from Japan or Korea, regardless of whether they have a combustion engine or an electric motor. And the steering is also more direct.
But given that the car is four and a half metres long and weighs two tons, you don't really want to rush through the curves — even given that the battery in the floor of the electric version noticeably lowers the centre of gravity and thus improves the good feeling in tight bends.
Petrol, diesel, and electric options
As before, the Mini relies mainly on combustion engines. In addition to three petrol engines from the 125 kW/170 hp entry-level model to the John Cooper Works with 221 kW/300 hp and a top speed of 250 km/h, the British also offer a diesel with 120 kW/163 hp. And it travels further with a full tank than the other Mini variants.
The two electric versions are an attempt to make the the Countryman fit for the future. They’re available either as a front-wheel drive car with 150 kW/204 hp or as an all-wheel drive with 230 kW/313 hp. Both have 64.8 kWh batteries, which at best should be good for 455 kilometres.
So the new Countryman is neither mini in size nor does it drive like a go-kart. But 65 years after the first Mini and 60 years after its first victory in the Monte-Carlo Rally, Mini is no longer a question of format or performance.
Rather the Mini represents a fashion and a mindset and is therefore defined primarily by design and tongue-in-cheek experiences. And at least in this regard, the Countryman is a genuine Mini and one with more utility and drive choices than its competitors.
