Mini released the first images of the Countryman John Cooper Works, a new model that will be officially unveiled at the next Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. These official pictures of the sportier version of Mini Countryman show us the model while testing on the Austrian Alps, and we have to admit that it looks pretty energetic.

Accordingly to AutoCar, the output of its 1.6-litre Twin Scroll petrol engine should reach 215 hp, which would make the Countryman JCW (John Cooper Works) as performing as the Cooper S JCW. The model uses new bumpers, side skirts and mufflers, and will be equipped with new 18″ alloy wheels (that we do not get to see in these shots). The suspension for the Mini Countryman John Cooper Works will be lifted from the Countryman Cooper S but set in a different way, which will lower the ride height by 10 mm. Rear brakes are also in for an upgrade, with 296 mm in diameter rear discs used in place of the 280mm ones of Cooper S. The model will also get 23mm anti-roll bar on the front and 17mm on the rear.

After its unveiling in Geneva, the Countryman JCW is tipped to go into production in Graz, Austria by May and then hit the showrooms by summer 2012.

View Mini Countryman JCW first pictures

....

0 comments

English engineering group Prodrive could come up with a road-legal version of the Mini Countryman WRC or, at least, a special edition that would be positioned above the yet unreleased 211hp John Cooper Works version. According to Autocar, Prodrive is currently developing a WRC Mini for rally racing, and chances are that some of its technical features will be transferred to a production model. This new car would feature more elaborated aerodynamics, probably with a fixed rear wing and wider wheel arches, while an enhanced version of the turbocharged 1.6 engine currently mounted on the Cooper S - alongside a new exhaust system and revised electronics - should provide it with about 230 hp. As for the transmission, it should be the same four wheel drive system of the ALL4 version.

Prodrive has already produced special edition versions for other carmakers (most notably spiced up versions of the legendary Subaru Impreza) but they are also renowned for a number of sporty packages dedicated to many different models that were realized with the consent of official manufacturers. It is also possible that a special line of accessories by Prodrive will be listed by Mini as optional extras, so that customers would have the chance to make their own Countryman more similar to the WRC Mini that, with Dani Sordo behind the wheel, clinched an unexpected second place at the recent French round of the World Rally Championship.

Pictures | Autoblog.it

....

0 comments

This Mini Countryman by Romeo Ferraris is a special edition version for Italy to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the country’s unification, but also celebrates the world of rallying, too. The Countryman 150th Anniversario special edition has been designed to sit between the standard Countryman and the WRC version.

The Cooper S Countryman model was used as a basis, and the four-cylinder, 1.6-litre engine gets updated to 227 hp (up 43 hp) and 348 Nm of torque (an extra 88). Romeo Ferraris has used a new engine mapping system with larger intercooler and dedicated exhaust system with separate twin pipes done in Countryman WRC style. A special blue tint has been used to reflect Italy’s national colour, and new 19-inch wheels have been fitted.

Tyres fitted are Yokohama Advan Sport measuring 225/40 and an hydraulic suspension can lower and raise the car by 50mm. Floating 328-mm disc brakes are included with four pistons, and finally the blacked-out background of the lights give an added aggressive touch. Why the Mini Countryman when a Fiat 500 would have been more appropriate considering the occasion being celebrated? Anyone’s guess really….

Mini Countryman 150° Anniversario by Romeo Ferraris

Continue reading: Mini Countryman by Romeo Ferraris

....

2 comments

We are getting used to Mini concepts making it to production and the new Mini Rocketman concept is no exception. In a curious about-face for the company, the Mini Rocketman was made to appease traditional fans of the brand who were lamenting the increase in dimensions and brand direction of Mini, especially with regards to new models like the Mini Countryman.

The Countryman in its turn was produced to take the brand into new segments and broaden its appeal - making Mini’s bigger was almost essential to that plan. But now it appears there could be a tentative production future for the Mini Rocketman, which would slot into the range below the current three-door coupe model. It will always be the core of the Mini brand, and models like the Rocketman and Countryman would be additional offerings to different segments.

Sales and marketing head, Ian Robertson, has said that the Mini Rocketman is not just about size, though, so whether it makes production or not, some of the elements which appeared on the concept will make it to new models in the future. He says:

The themes in the car are not just about a smaller Mini. Lightweight construction, and new types of components will go on to Minis. The BMW i-concept will be available to all members of the group.

Mini Rocketman Concept live from 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Source | Autocar

....

0 comments

The Mini Countryman was out to seek new buyers and it certainly got a few in Italy, of all countries. The Italian market can boast the biggest sales figures in Europe so far for the Countryman and we’ve seen a few on the streets, already. The news came as a surprise at first until we realised that Italy was probably far more prepared for a compact SUV of this dimension than other markets, having had a long love affair with its own Fiat Panda.

While the Fiat Panda is not strictly to be classified as a compact SUV, and will never match the Mini for style (or price for that matter), the vehicle has optional all-wheel drive, an upright sitting position, space for four people and a compact boot. In fact, the model has been a big seller in Italy for a long time and you’d be hard placed to drive through any Italian town and not see at least five of these in your first ten minutes in town.

In Italy the Mini Countryman has sold over 3,800 units and the brand saw a sales increase in January of 15.4 percent. The most sold version, unsurprisingly, is the Cooper ALL4 model which makes up about 40 percent of all sales. More success is likely as the 2.0-litre diesel with 143 hp hits the market in March. Could we start to see more of these on little Italian mountain roads? Possibly, but they won’t be so easy to overtake as the Fiat Panda.

Source | Autoblog.it

....

1 comment

Not quite as charming as a normal Mini and not really an offroad, four-wheel drive vehicle either - that’s the verdict in a nutshell from the Fifth Gear Mini Countryman test drive. It doesn’t really surprise us as an overall conclusion on the Countryman. With its expansion from the standard Mini into a (sort-of) new niche, the Countryman has had make a number of compromises, starting with Mini driving fun and finishing with the not-quite offroad shortcomings. If you take this as a more practical model for those still wanting to drive a Mini with more boot space, then there’s nothing wrong with it. Check out how it goes in the video above.

....

1 comment

The Mini Paceman could prove to be what many would have liked the Countryman to be - a more coupé-like, sportier and faster-looking Mini SUV. In these pics and the video after the jump, we can see what Mini has described as the first “Sports Activity Coupé” in the small car sector, which will be presented at next year’s Detroit auto show ready for possible production as early as 2012. This flies in the face of some concerns over the Mini brand going big (or ‘un-Mini’ generally speaking), but reveals the promised “spectacular” concept that we were to see at the show in January. We get the impression though, that this isn’t the Mini citycar concept which was set to be revealed.

While avoiding too many comparisons with the Range Rover Evoque, the Mini Paceman shows much more of a coupe-SUV style with sloping roof and tapered rear, than the cutesy Countryman. The new Paceman is still based on that platform though, and if it gets to production, it could include some of Mini’s more upmarket machinery and finishes. The concept model is being presented with the John Cooper Works petrol engine with 212 hp and All4 all-wheel drive system.

There are plenty of different design features, including a shorter, sloped windscreen and roof line, longer doors, high waistline and smaller windows for a wedge shape, while the rear is completely different from any other Mini. Some subtle touches have been included that affect the overall look including C-pillars tinted in line with the glass and a new jade green colour which helps in giving the Paceman its soft, smooth look.

With some luxury touches on the inside which largely follows the design theme on the Mini Countryman keeping the upmarket label, the Paceman is set to be an interesting addition to the Mini line-up. As production hasn’t been announced yet, we expect Mini will probably wait to see how the Countryman’s fortunes pan out before announcing another SUV-like model in the range. Despite the Evoque similarity, we’re convinced that the Paceman is closer to Mini tradition and design, including driving philosophy, than the Countryman itself and it will be interesting to see which of these models becomes more popular. If the Paceman gets to production, though, it will be the most expensive Mini ever, according to reports, but we guess it can only get a boost in exclusivity if that’s the case.

Mini Paceman Concept

Continue reading: Mini Paceman pics and video

....

0 comments

The Mini Countryman Dakar model by X-Raid is already up for one of the world’s most gruelling endurance races. The Countryman model was earmarked for the World Rally Championship just a couple of months after it was released, and X-Raid then decided to take it to the famous Dakar, with this livery unlikely to go unnoticed across South America next year.

Prepared in near record time, the Mini Countryman Dakar is a turbo-diesel model with the engine used from the BMW X3CC, which X-Raid has used in previous cross country world racing titles. The unit has 315 hp and about 700 Nm of torque. The Mini has been preferred over the BMW for its more compact stature, lower centre of gravity and shorter wheelbase. The car has been trusted to Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn, and we can’t wait to see how they fare in January.

Mini Countryman Dakar All4 rally

Source | X-Raid via Autoblog.com

....

0 comments

Unsurprisingly (at least we think so) the Mini Countryman has had a gunning start to sales as it commences its campaign to expand the Mini niche while still being that funky icon. On sale since mid-September, already 1,763 units have been delivered to customers. Mini brand sales are up this year by 3.8 percent, with a late boost from the Countryman contributing to that increase.

BMW hasn’t given a market breakdown of those Mini Countryman sales but you can bet it’s likely to be big in Europe. The Countryman has everything going for it in this market; it’s stylish, cashes in on great brand image, is compact and fun to drive. We know that the Countryman on the Italian market, for example, has already experienced orders of about 1,563 units of which 60 percent of customers are male.

If we take that market as an example and calculate that the 1,763 figure is for deliveries, not just sales, we can assume that this model’s success will only get better. Take the news that 60 percent of customers are male and we wonder that Mini won’t achieve the corporate offroad image it was aiming for (this was specific to the three-door Mini Canyon expected to be developed but we think it’s a better fit than the family feel for the Countryman, anyway).

Continue reading: Mini Countryman sales and expectations

....

0 comments

The Mini Beachcomber concept will go into production and will most likely become a Mini Moke revival as it does so. According to reports, two versions of the Beachcomber concept are being developed, one of which will be the Moke and the other will be the new Mini Canyon Coupé.

The latter is a shorter, three-door version while the Moke will be very similar to the original Beachcomber concept. The current Mini Countryman platform is expected to be used although it will have a pillarless design to allow for rear-hinged rear doors on both sides of the car, adressing criticisms of the current single-rear-doored Clubman in right-hand drive countries.

The five-door Moke is expected to have the same aggressive styling and higher ride height as the Beachcomber concept and may even take inspiration from the Honda Element Crossover. The idea is to create a real open-air feel, though, and to that end we could see additions like lift-out roof panels, frameless doors and wind-down hatch window. That should be enough briny air to satisfy anyone.

Continue reading: Mini Moke revival and Mini Canyon to production

....

0 comments

The Mini Countryman WRC model is live at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, not only introducing the competition version of the new Mini compact SUV but also marking Mini’s return to rally car racing. The Countryman WRC has been developed by Prodrive and is equipped with a 1.6-litre turbo engine with all-wheel-drive. The WRC model will debut in some competitions in 2011, with full participation in the championship in 2012.

The Paris show has also proved an important opportunity for Mini to announce the initial interest and future popularity of its Countryman model. Perhaps considered a risky straying from the well-developed Mini niche, the Countryman is proving to appeal to customers who have traditionally been outside that niche but are attracted by the Mini brand. Specifically, Mini has announced that all models planned for production until February 2011 have been sold and so we can wait for more news about production increases in the new year.

Continue reading: Mini Countryman WRC live at 2010 Paris Motor Show

....

1 comment

While clearly a more practical car to sit in, the Mini Countryman may prove a little disappointing for Mini afficionados who bought their car because it was great to drive and not necessarily great to look good in. We’re placing our bets though that the Mini Countryman will still win hearts through its cool design, superior marketing and overall general driving characteristics. The model itself marks Mini’s first venture out of its safe little niche (more on the Mini niche later) but the Countryman is still essentially Mini. Not an easy line to walk but one which Mini seems to have achieved, although the big question mark here is how much you’re getting for your money.

....

0 comments