2013 MINI Countryman update on its way

The wraps have come off the mildly updated 2013 MINI Countryman in Europe, with several tweaks inside the car designed to increase the appeal to premium compact SUV buyers.

Expected to arrive in Australia around March 2013 - roughly the same time as it's three-door coupe sibling, Paceman - pricing is likely to remain unchanged says BMW Australia. 2012 model Countrymans start at $33,700 for the manual 1.6-litre petrol Cooper and top out at $54,900 for the AWD diesel-powered Countryman S Chilli.

Technically not a facelift - there are no visible changes to the exterior of the 2013 car, only new colours - MINI has focused on the interior with several new finishes and improved cabin ergonomics, designed to add "further lustre to the high-quality character of the MINI Countryman interior," says the BMW-owned company.

The electric window switches are no longer located on the central stack, moved instead to the more traditional door armrest location. Along with the repositioned window controls, new door inserts and remodelled armrests are fitted to 2013 Countryman models and the driver gets a full control panel incorporated into the armrest to control windows and mirrors.

The dashboard has been tizzied up, with new carbon black accents around the large central speedometer and air vents. Two new exterior colours include Brilliant Copper metallic and Blazing Red metallic.

Engine types will remain unchanged with 1.6-litre petrol, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines generating between 66kW and 135kW, with choices of six-speed automatic and manual gearboxes.

Top-spec MINI John Cooper Works Countryman models will also hit the scene at a later date, rated at around 160kW of power.

Piers Scott, BMW Australia's Head of Corporate Communications, told motoring.com.au that Countryman is a vital part of the MINI range, and the prestige importer is looking forward to the arrival of the updated 2013 model, not to mention the Paceman,

"MINI sales are up 11 per cent over last year, driven largely by Countryman. One in five MINIs now sold in Australia is a Countryman."

Mr Scott explained that with no direct rivals, the updated Countryman and its three-door sibling, Paceman, will provide a two-pronged attack for the premium brand in 2013.

"The Countryman is the only FUV (Fun Utility Vehicle) in Australia and therefore has no direct competitors. Adding the MINI Paceman to the line-up means another unique vehicle with MINI’s trademark style and enthralling drive and this will draw more attention to the Countryman as its five-door sibling."

MINI sold 37 Countryman SUVs in September 2012, the exact same amount it sold a year before, while its closest rival, the Audi Q3, recorded 295 sales for the same period. Year on year sales for the MINI Countryman have increased, up from 342 to 383.

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