MINI Countryman Video - First Exclusive Look!

Next week the MINI Countryman will celebrate its world premiere in Geneva and right now, we have some never-before-seen driving footage for you. Courtesy of MINI Youtube Channel, we’re enjoying again the funky, intriguing and lively MINI videos.

Carrying the tagline, “Life is out There”, the MINI Countryman video can be summed up in just a couple of sentences: it is a giddy montage of footage that packs a lifetime’s worth of adventure into a snappy few minutes. It is about drawing a connection between the increased interior space of the Countryman, which is the roomiest MINI yet, with living large, expanding horizons, seizing the day



As a recap, MINI Countryman is entering the market with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines; the power range extends from 90 hp in the MINI One D Countryman all the way to 184 hp in the MINI Cooper S Countryman.

At the high-end of the line-up, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine comes for the first time not only with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection, but also with fully variable valve management.

The Countryman gets a standard six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic transmission is optional.

MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman come equipped with the MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive, an electrohydraulic differential positioned directly on the final drive varying the distribution from front to rear in an infinite process. Under normal driving conditions up to 50 per cent of the engine’s power goes to the rear wheels, under extreme conditions up to 100 per cent, offering a new, high-traction rendition of that agile handling so typical of MINI.

The MINI Countryman comes as standard with four seats, while a three-seat bench is available as a no-cost option.The cabin, among other things, gets a standard multifunction steering wheel with cruise control a center rail system that allows each passenger to store objects.

Source: BMWBlog

Leaked! Mini Countryman Photos Hit the Web Before Geneva Debut

As we reported last month, the upcoming Mini crossover will indeed go by the Countryman moniker when it arrives in production form at the Geneva Motor Show. But with the recent leak of three images of the new all-wheel-drive, four-door Mini, you won't have to wait until Geneva to catch your first glimpse of the Countryman.

We saw our first taste of the Countryman when the Mini Crossover Concept debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. That car added over two inches to the Mini Clubman's stretched wheelbase, along with an all-wheel drive layout that is based on the rear-drive platform of the BMW 1 Series. Later, we spotted Countryman prototypes roaming the Nurburgring, hammering out suspension and drivetrain tuning details. Then, in Detroit last week, the Beachcomber concept was shown, featuring some wild styling changes that spoke more to a dune buggy theme than that of a crossover vehicle.Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/6612815/future/leaked-mini-countryman-photos-hit-the-web-before-geneva-debut/index.html#ixzz0d5R7UVfC

From the photos shown here, depicting a Cooper S version of the Countryman, we can see that many of the Crossover Concept's styling cues have been left intact. The Countryman appears pretty much how we'd expect a stretched four-door Mini to look, and keeps its proportions well through the enlargement. The interior is standard Mini fare, with a bank of toggle switches and plenty of retro appeal. The typical Cooper S tweaks are seen on the pictured car, including more aggressive looking wheels, twin exhaust tips, and sporty front and rear fascias.

For those who love anticipation, there's still plenty more rumor and speculation to hold one's breath over. For example, while we can expect a standard 1.6L engine to power a base model (with a supercharged version likely power 'S' trim models), will a bigger engine be in-store for a higher tuned Countryman? With a beefier all-wheel drive 1 Series drivetrain, a larger engine and more horsepower could be in the works. Rumors also persist that the Countryman will enter the World Rally Championship in the coming years.

We still don't know just when the Countryman will arrive in U.S. showrooms, but we'd expect a hefty price premium over the Mini Clubman - even heftier than the premium the Clubman takes on the regular Cooper. For more on the Countryman, stay tuned for our Geneva Motor Show coverage.Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/6612815/future/leaked-mini-countryman-photos-hit-the-web-before-geneva-debut/index.html#ixzz0d5RDtf6X

Article by: Motortrend

MINI Countryman Could Come to WRC

Mini's history doesn't just include producing attractive, efficient city cars -- it's done some damage in the rally circuit. But while BMW's 2001 reincarnation of the storied British brand has been a success on the sales front, it hasn't taken the motorsports world by storm. As previously reported, that could change with Mini's upcoming five-door people hauler.

The Countryman will reportedly come in several variants, including a GTI version with similar power to the Cooper S or a BMW-sourced 2.0-liter diesel capable of 200 hp. Word on the street is that Prodrive is working on a WRC concept due to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

We're looking forward to seeing the production Countryman in person, but there is some question as to when the micro crossover will finally be on the showroom floor. AutoCar says the Countryman will arrive in September, while Mini-focused site Motoring File says the crossover may be delayed until 2011. If the Rally-ready Countryman does in fact come to fruition, Mini could once again have a mighty mouse ready to take on its larger competition, and that could be fun to watch.

Source:[Autoblog]