New MINI Countryman revealed

The new MINI Countryman has regained the title of the biggest MINI.

The second-generation Countryman SUV has effectively bumped up a class size, growing 200mm in length to almost 4.3m. The new car boasts an extra 75mm in wheelbase, 50mm in rear seat space, 30mm in height and gained at least 100 litres of extra luggage space.

It knocks off the second-generation Clubman as the biggest MINI, albeit by just over 20mm.

That boost in size means the BMW-owned brand will be able to more convincingly pitch the Countryman against the likes of its twin under the skin BMW X1 (with which it shares its core UKL architecture), the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, when the Countryman arrives in Australia late in the first quarter of 2017.

The aim is to make the Countryman a viable consideration for family buyers, something its limited rear seat and luggage space has discouraged up until now.

MINI has revealed first details of the new Countryman ahead of its launch at the Los Angeles motor show in November, confirming not only the increase in size but also a new engine line-up and some headline tech features.

Globally, the Countryman will come with a choice of five different powertrain line-ups; two turbo-petrol, two turbo-diesel and one petrol-electric plug-in hybrid. The Australian line-up is yet to be finalised but we should get everything that is offered.

Pricing also remains to be confirmed. It currently stretches from $34,150 to $56,900, the latter ask for the JCW – a new version of which is yet to be revealed but has been spied testing at the Nurburgring.

The petrol line-up starts with the entry-level 1.5-litre 100kW/220Nm three-cylinder and then progresses to the 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre Cooper S four-cylinder.

On the diesel side there's the Cooper D 2.0-litre 110kW/330Nm four-cylinder and the uprated version of the same engine in the Cooper SD that makes 140kW and 400Nm.

All figures are boosted compared to the first generation Countryman, leading to claims of improved performance. For instance, the Cooper S accelerates from 0-100kmh in 7.2sec, an improvement of 0.9sec from its predecessor.

Based on European testing, fuel economy is claimed to have been improved in "virtually all the engine variants" (which presumably means at least one hasn't improved) by as much as 1.4L/100km. The Cooper D is the efficiency leader at 4.3L/100km.

Mind you, the plug-in Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 does even better. It combines the three-cylinder petrol engine with a 65kW synchronous electric motor for a system output of 165kW and 385Nm, a claimed EU fuel consumption average of 2.1L/100km, CO2 emissions average of 49 g/km, an electric top speed of 125km/h and a 40km pure electric range.

The petrol engine drives the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission while the electric motor drives the rear axle via a single-speed transmission.

Transmission choices for the orthodox engines start with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the entry-level Countryman gets a six-speed auto option. The others offer an eight-speed auto, which is standard for the SD. On-demand all-wheel drive is optionally available for all petrol and diesel models.

Techno highlights of the new Countryman include the first use of a touchscreen in a MINI, optional two-mode dampers, three-mode driver control of engine, automatic transmission, steering and sound and a function that rates the severity of the off-road challenge with which the car is dealing dubbed Mini Country Timer. Latest generation connectivity aids include Find Mate which keeps track of frequently used items such as bags and key rings.

Collision warning with low-speed 'city' autonomous braking is standard but according to the global press release a reversing camera is optional. Another option is what's dubbed the 'Picnic bench', which folds out of the luggage compartment and provides seating for two people. Naturally, MINI is promising a huge range of individualisation options.

MINI claims The Countryman's growth spurt has provided significantly more interior and luggage space. The three rear seats slide through a 130mm range, split 40:20:40 and have a variable tilt angle. The door openings are larger and rear leg space extended.

The luggage volume rises 100 litres to a claimed 450 litres, expanding to 1309 litres (plus 220 litres) with the rear seats folded.