Select models for Aussie Countryman range
MINI's new SUV model will be pared down to a narrowly-focused range for our wide, brown landA BMW insider has told the Carsales Network that the Australian market will see a limited range of model variants when the new MINI Countryman SUV goes on sale early next year. Speaking during the international launch of the MINI Countryman in Germany this week, the insider said that only three of the seven variants to have made it to production are likely for Australia.
Although the final decision is still some months away, the maturing family-friendly MINI range could eventually include two-wheel drive petrol MINI Cooper Countryman, two-wheel drive turbo-petrol MINI Cooper S Countryman and all-wheel drive turbo-petrol MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4.
A diesel offering is expected to follow in due course, most probably the more powerful oiler option, MINI Cooper D Countryman.
Europe however will enjoy a wider variety of Countryman offerings, including the entry-level MINI One Countryman, available with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. Its naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre petrol unit delivers a total output of 72kW/153Nm; and a base model diesel offering, the MINI One D Countryman, a manual-only low-output diesel, produces a total output of 66kW/215Nm from its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Both are two-wheel drive only.
MINI Cooper Countryman, a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol, will be available in both Europe and Australia, the two-wheel drive variant providing the alternatives of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.
Next in line, the MINI Cooper D Countryman is also a strong chance for Australian delivery. Available in both two- and all-wheel drive configurations – the latter distinguishable by "ALL4" badging on the front doors -- the 'D' is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel developing 82kW/270Nm. At this stage, the diesel-powered Cooper Countryman is only offered with a six-speed manual transmission.
Finally, MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 will also be offered on both sides of the Indian Ocean. Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the 'S' is also available with either six-speed manual or automatic boxes in either (two- or all-wheel drive) configuration. Maximum output is rated at 135kW/240Nm with an additional "overboost" function increasing the torque figure to 260Nm.
Although local pricing and specifications have not yet been confirmed, we will bring you a full report on the MINI Countryman from the European launch in the coming weeks. Full performance, emissions and fuel consumption figures are included below, all MINI Countryman variants are EU5 emissions compliant. No John Cooper Works (JCW) models are confirmed at this stage.
| 0-100km/h | CO2 | L/100km | |
| MINI One Countryman | 11.9 (m) / 13.9 (a) | 139 (m) / 168 (a) | 6.0 (m) / 7.2 (a) |
| MINI One D Countryman | 12.9 (m) | 115 (m) | 4.4 (m) |
| MINI Cooper Countryman | 10.5 (m) / 11.6 (a) | 140 (m) / 168 (a) | 6.0 (m) / 7.2 (a) |
| MINI Cooper D Countryman | 10.9 (m) | 115 (m) | 4.4 (m) |
| MINI Cooper D Countryman ALL4 | 11.6 (m) | 129 (m) | 4.9 (m) |
| MINI Cooper S Countryman | 7.6 (m) / 7.9 (a) | 143 (m) / 166 (a) | 6.1 (m) / 7.1 (a) |
| MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 | 7.9 (m) / 8.3 (a) | 157 (m) / 180 (a) | 6.7 (m) / 7.7 (a) |
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