Mini Countryman

MINI Countryman
Overview
Manufacturer	Mini (BMW)
Production	2010-present
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact crossover
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The Mini Countryman is a subcompact crossover, the first car of this type to be launched by Mini. It was launched in 2010 and received a facelift in 2014.

Pre-production concepts

There is the 2008 Mini Crossover Concept which has four doors (2 right swing open, 1 left swing open, 1 left lift/sliding) and four single seats.^[1] It was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.^[2]

The 2010 Mini Beachcomber Concept was based on the Crossover Concept and the Mini Countryman, with no doors and no conventional roof. It included ALL4 all-wheel drive and offroad wheels. It was unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.^[3][4][5]

First generation (R60) (2010–2016)

First generation (R60)
Overview
Manufacturer	Mini (BMW)
Production	2010-2016
Assembly	Graz, Austria (Magna Steyr) Chennai, India (BMW India) Rayong, Thailand (CKD) Kulim, Malaysia (CKD)
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact crossover
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Mini Paceman
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L I4 (One/Cooper) 1.6 L Prince turbocharged I4 (Cooper S) 1.6 L BMW N47 diesel I4 (Cooper D and One D) 2.0 L BMW N47 diesel I4 (Cooper D Automatic and Cooper SD models)
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,595 mm (102.2 in)
Length	4,097 mm (161.3 in) Cooper S: 4,110 mm (161.8 in)
Width	1,789 mm (70.4 in) (excluding mirrors)
Height	1,561 mm (61.5 in)
Kerb weight	1,265 kg (2,789 lb) (DIN) 1,340 kg (2,950 lb) (EU)

Rear view

The design of Mini's first five-door crossover echoed that of the Mini Crossover Concept. The production model was first unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.^[6][7] UK models went on sale on 18 September 2010.^[8][9] The availability of models varies between markets, with the USA and Russia not taking the One versions or any diesel powered models. The All4 all-wheel-drive option is available on variable models, again depending on the country.

The ALL4 all-wheel-drive powertrain includes electro-hydraulic differential, positioned directly on the transmission's final drive, to vary the power distribution from front to rear. Under normal driving conditions, up to 50 percent of the engine's power goes to the rear wheels. Under “extreme” conditions ("extreme" being undefined) up to 100 percent heads to the back wheels.^[10]

Early models included Cooper S, Cooper S ALL4, Cooper, One, Cooper D, Cooper D ALL4, and One D.^[11][12][13] Cooper SD, Cooper SD ALL4, Cooper D Automatic, Cooper D ALL4 Automatic were added from spring 2011.^[14][15][16]

In 2012 the Countryman received some minor amendments, including an EU6 exhaust emissions standard compliance for the One and Cooper models, and using a different clutch material and improved software to reduce stalling problems.^[17][18] They went on sale from November 2012.^[19]

A Cooper ALL4 model was added in July 2013.^[20][21][22]

Changes to US 2014 model year range included the omission of the interior "Centre Rail" feature from the back seats. The rail is still present in the front.^[23]

Countryman WRC (2010–)

This is a race car version of Mini Cooper S ALL4 developed with Prodrive beginning in early 2009, with a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport. The first test drive for the Mini Countryman WRC, which would also be available to customer teams, was planned for autumn 2010.^[24] It was unveiled at the Paris Show in 2010.^[25][26]

Countryman John Cooper Works (2012–2016)

The John Cooper Works is a derivative of the Cooper S ALL4 version of the Countryman, with increased engine power to 218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp) and 280 N·m (207 lb·ft) with over boost: 300 N·m (221 lb·ft). Steering, suspension, wheels and appearance have also been modified.^[27] It was unveiled at the 2012 International Geneva Motor Show, and went on sale in autumn 2012.^[28]

US models receive reduced engine power to 211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) and 260 N·m (192 lb·ft) (overboost:280 N·m (207 lb·ft)), and went on sale in July 2012 as a 2013 model year vehicle.^[29]

Safety

In November 2010, Euro NCAP awarded the Countryman a 5-star crash rating.^[30]

Euro NCAP test results
Mini Countryman (2011)[31]
Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	30	84%
Child occupant:	41	83%
Pedestrian:	23	63%
Safety assist:	5	71%

Reception

Pulitzer Prize winning automotive journalist Dan Neil suggested the Countryman had jumped the shark – that is to say the car pushed the Mini ethos beyond relevance, marking the zenith of popularity and the start of decline. Neil suggested that by making a vehicle that is longer, wider and taller, the company had forsaken the inner logic of the brand: excellent handling in a tiny size. In a March 2011 review titled What Part of 'Mini' Did You Not Grasp, BMW? , Neil wrote "with the Countryman, tiny sharks have been jumped."^[32] The Countryman became Mini's second most popular model after the iconic Hardtop. The very first year of production it sold almost 50% more units than the Clubman, Convertible, and Coupe added together. Almost 1 out of every 3 vehicles Mini sold in 2011 was a Countryman (U.S. market).^[33] This trend continued through 2012 also with almost 1 in 3 MINIs sold again being a Countryman - both in the US and globally.^[34] By the end of 2013 the Countryman was 31% of total U.S. sales for the Mini brand.^[35]

2014 update (R60 LCI)

A minor facelift to the Countryman was unveiled at the 2014 New York International Auto Show.^[36] Changes include a new structure of the hexagonal radiator grill, underride guard elements for the Cooper S Countryman ALL4 and additional body colour options. It went on sale in July 2014. All variants carried over.^[37][38] US variants include Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper S ALL4, John Cooper Works (with ALL4), with 6-speed manual transmission or optional 6-speed automatic transmission.^[39]

Powertrain

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Type	Power, torque @ rpm	Transmission
One	2010–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4	98 PS (72 kW; 97 hp) @ 6000, 153 N·m (113 lb·ft) @ 3000	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Cooper	2010–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4	122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) @ 6000, 160 N·m (118 lb·ft) @ 4250	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Cooper ALL4	2010–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4	122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) @ 6000, 160 N·m (118 lb·ft) @ 4250	6-speed manual
Cooper ALL4 Automatic	2010–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4	122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) @ 6000, 190 N·m (140 lb·ft) @ 4250	6-speed automatic
Cooper S	2010–2014	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4 turbo	184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) @ 5500, 240 N·m (177 lb·ft) @ 1600-5000 overboost:260 N·m (192 lb·ft) @ 1700-4500	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Cooper S	2014–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4 turbo ()	190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp)@5500, 240 N·m (177 lb·ft)@1600-5000 overboost:260 N·m (192 lb·ft)@1700-4500	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Cooper S ALL4	2010–2014	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4 turbo	184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) @ 5500, 240 N·m (177 lb·ft) @ 1600-5000 overboost:260 N·m (192 lb·ft) @ 1700-4500	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Cooper S ALL4	2014–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4 turbo ()	190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp)@5500, 240 N·m (177 lb·ft)@1600-5000 overboost:260 N·m (192 lb·ft)@1700-4500	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
John Cooper Works (211PS)	2012–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4 twin-scroll turbo	211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) @ 6000, 260 N·m (192 lb·ft) @ 1850(1900?)-5600 overboost:280 N·m (207 lb·ft) @ 2000-5200	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
John Cooper Works (218PS)	2014–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4 twin-scroll turbo	218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp) @ 6000, 280 N·m (207 lb·ft) @ 1900-5000 overboost:300 N·m (221 lb·ft) @ 2100-4500	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic

Diesel engines

Model	Years	Type	Power, torque @ rpm	Transmission
One D	2010–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4 turbo	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) @ 4000, 215 N·m (159 lb·ft) @ 1750-2500	6-speed manual
Cooper D	2010–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4 turbo	112 PS (82 kW; 110 hp) @ 4000, 270 N·m (199 lb·ft) @ 1750-2250	6-speed manual
Cooper D Auto	2011–2016	1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) I4 turbo	111 PS (82 kW; 109 hp) @ 4000, 270 N·m (199 lb·ft) @ 1750-2250	6-speed auto
Cooper D ALL4	2010–2016	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) I4 turbo	112 PS (82 kW; 110 hp) @ 4000, 270 N·m (199 lb·ft) @ 1750-2250	6-speed manual
Cooper D ALL4 Auto	2011–2016	1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) I4 turbo	111 PS (82 kW; 109 hp) @ 4000, 270 N·m (199 lb·ft) @ 1750-2250	6-speed auto
Cooper SD	2011–2016	1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) I4 turbo	143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp) @ 4000, 305 N·m (225 lb·ft) @ 1750-2700	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Cooper SD ALL4	2011–2016	1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) I4 turbo	143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp) @ 4000, 305 N·m (225 lb·ft) @ 1750-2700	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic

Second generation (2017–present)

Second Generation (F60)
Overview
Manufacturer	Mini (BMW)
Production	2017-present
Model years	2017-present
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact crossover
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	BMW UKL2
Powertrain
Engine	1.5L BMW B38 turbocharged I-3 (Cooper) 1.5L BMW B37 turbodiesel I-3 (Cooper D) 2.0L BMW B48 turbocharged I-4 (Cooper S) 2.0L BMW B47 turbodiesel I-4 (Cooper SD) 1.5L BMW B37 turbocharged I-3 + electric motor (Cooper S E)
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed automatic 8-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,670 mm (105.1 in)
Length	4,313 mm (169.8 in)
Width	1,821 mm (71.7 in) (excluding mirrors)
Height	1,557 mm (61.3 in)
Kerb weight	1,497 kg (3,300 lb) (Cooper) 1,592 kg (3,510 lb) (Cooper ALL4) 1,646 kg (3,629 lb) (Cooper S ALL4)

The second generation Countryman will be introduced at the LA Auto Show in November 2016, and go on sale in February 2017 in Europe, and March elsewhere.^[40][41] It will launch with three variants: Cooper (FWD or ALL4), Cooper S (FWD or ALL4), and in June 2017, the new Cooper S E ALL4 plug-in hybrid. The new Countryman is 8 inches longer than the first generation, and 1 inch wider. The Cooper Countryman will be powered by a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S will use a new 2.0 liter turbo I4. The Cooper S E combines the turbo I3 with an electric motor and a 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, with an electric range of up to 40 kilometres (25 mi).

Powertrain

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Type	Power, torque @ rpm	Transmission
Cooper	2017–	1,499 cc (91.5 cu in) I3 turbo	134 hp (100 kW; 136 PS) @ 4400, 220 N·m (162 lb·ft) @ 1250	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Cooper ALL4	2017–	1,499 cc (91.5 cu in) I3 turbo	134 hp (100 kW; 136 PS) @ 4400, 220 N·m (162 lb·ft) @ 1250	6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic
Cooper S	2017–	1,998 cc (121.9 cu in) I4 turbo	189 hp (141 kW; 192 PS) @ 5000, 281 N·m (207 lb·ft) @ 1250	6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic
Cooper S ALL4	2017–	1,998 cc (121.9 cu in) I4 turbo	189 hp (141 kW; 192 PS) @ 5000, 281 N·m (207 lb·ft) @ 1250	6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic
Cooper S E ALL4	2017–	1,499 cc (91.5 cu in) I3 turbo Electric motor (Total system:)	134 hp (100 kW; 136 PS) @ 4400, 220 N·m (162 lb·ft) @ 1250 87 hp (65 kW; 88 PS), 165 N·m (122 lb·ft) 221 hp (165 kW; 224 PS), 385 N·m (284 lb·ft)	6-speed automatic

Diesel engines

Model	Years	Type	Power, torque @ rpm	Transmission
Cooper D	2017–	1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) I4 turbo	110 kW (148 hp; 150 PS), 330 N·m (243 lb·ft)	6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic
Cooper D ALL4	2017–	1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) I4 turbo	110 kW (148 hp; 150 PS), 330 N·m (243 lb·ft)	6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic
Cooper SD	2017–	1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) I4 turbo	140 kW (188 hp; 190 PS), 400 N·m (295 lb·ft)	8-speed automatic
Cooper SD ALL4	2017–	1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) I4 turbo	140 kW (188 hp; 190 PS), 400 N·m (295 lb·ft)	8-speed automatic

Motorsports

In July 2010, Mini announced plans to enter the World Rally Championship (WRC)^[42] with the Countryman beginning in 2011, and entering season-long tournament starting from 2012.^[43] The factory team had its first test outing of the 2011 WRC season at the 2011 Rally d'Italia Sardegna, before taking on the full calendar in 2012 and 2013. In the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, the RRC version had its first win at the 2012 Tour de Corse, driven by Dani Sordo.^[44] After just one season Mini terminated its works involvement in the World Rally Championship.^[45] The car continued to be used outside of the WRC, and won the 2012 Qatar International Rally and 2014 Barum Czech Rally Zlín, also taking podium finishes at the 2013 Rally of Lebanon.

The All4, equipped with a straight-six engine, has won the Dakar Rally every year since 2012, with Stéphane Peterhansel driving in 2012^[46] and cars from German Monster Energy X-raid Team won the 2013 Dakar Rally.^[47][48][49] Mini won the car category of the 2014 Dakar Rally with the All4 driven by Nani Roma.^[50] Another overal win in the 2015 Dakar Rally made it four straight wins, with a 100% finish rate. The same team won the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge four times from 2011, with other wins in the Baja Aragón, Desafio Ruta and Desafio Inca, and being the runner-up in the 2011 Silk Way Rally, 2012 Desafio Litoral Rally and 2015 Baja Russia Northern Forest. Nasser Al-Attiyah won the 2015 Rallye des Pharaons.

Khalifa Al Mutaiwei, Krzysztof Holowczyc and Vladimir Vasilyev won the 2012, 2013 and 2014 FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup seasons.

Jean-Philippe Dayraut used a Countryman to win the Andros Trophy for ice racing in 2013 and 2014.

A 900 bhp vehicle based on the Mini Countryman entered the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, finishing third overall.^[51]

Team JRM entered the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship season, acquired ex-Prodrive Minis, which unlike its competitors, using 1.6-litre engine with some concessions so the cars were able to competing with 2.0-litre engine cars. Guy Wilks reaching the final in the British round. It was also entered into the 2013 Global RallyCross Championship, with Liam Doran winning the Munich round. A further car was entered into the 2015 FIA European Rallycross Championship season, driven by Riku Tahko.

The team eventually entering FIA World Rallycross full-time, with Liam Doran as the driver. The Minis losing its concessions, as they debuted their self developed 2.0-litre engine in the 4th round in Great Britain.

Production

The Countryman is primarily built in Graz, Austria under contract by Magna Steyr, making it the first of the BMW era Minis to be manufactured entirely outside the UK.^[52]

In 2013, assembly of the Countryman was expanded to three international locations: from April 2013 at BMW's plant near Chennai, India, specifically for the Indian market^[53][54] from June 2013 at the BMW Group Malaysia Assembly Plant in Kulim, Kedah,^[55] and at the BMW Manufacturing Thailand plant in Rayong from August 2013.^[56]

In 2012, worldwide sales of Countryman reached 102,000 units,^[57] 21,012 of which were sold in the USA.^[58] In March 2013, the 250,000th Countryman was produced at Magna Steyr's Graz plant.^[59]

References

1. Paris Preview: 2010 MINI Crossover Concept
2. Paris 2008: MINI Crossover Concept
3. The Sky is the Limit: The MINI Beachcomber Concept.
4. MINI at the NAIAS Detroit 2010.
5. Detroit Preview: MINI Beachcomber concept
6. MINI at the 80th Geneva Motor Show 2010.
7. Geneva 2010: Mini Countryman breaks cover
8. Mini Countryman priced in the UK from £16K
9. "MINI Countryman - official!". Auto Express. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
10. "The MINI Countryman, Fun has no Limits". Automoblog.net.
11. Fun has no limits. The MINI Countryman.
12. Specifications MINI Countryman.
13. Mini dishes out more info on Countryman including complete specs
14. MINI in 2011: More power, more sportiness, more individuality. Premiere of the MINI Cooper SD with 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine and 105 kW/143 hp – John Cooper Works Pack for the MINI and MINI Convertible – MINI Yours presents the MINI Clubman Hampton special edition.
15. Specifications of the MINI Cooper SD models.
16. Specifications of the MINI Cooper D models.
17. Mini fesses up to Countryman clutch issue, plans fix
18. MINI Addresses Countryman Clutch Issue
19. The MINI Countryman: Model update measures for autumn 2012.
20. ALL4 times ten for maximum driving fun: MINI extends its range of all-wheel models to include the MINI Cooper Countryman and the MINI Cooper Paceman.
21. Specifications of the MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4, 07/2013.
22. 2013 Mini Countryman gets updates
23. Mini deletes center rail in Countryman, Paceman
24. Mini confirms entry into 2011 World Rally Championship with Countryman
25. MINI at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.
26. Paris 2010: Mini Countryman WRC looks the part
27. Parrott, Vicky (7 September 2012). "First drive: Mini Countryman John Cooper Works". Autocar. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
28. 2013 Mini John Cooper Works Countryman packs an up-sized punch
29. Mini adds revised powertrain, automatic option to John Cooper Works models
30. "MINI Countryman granted 5-star crash rating". AUSmotive.com. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
31. "Euro NCAP results for Mini Countryman" (PDF). euroncap.com. 2011.
32. "What Part of 'Mini' Did You Not Grasp, BMW?". The Wall Street Journal, 4 March 2011, Dan Neil. 5 March 2011.
33. http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/12/01/mini-usa-sales-up-70-for-november/
34. http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/01/18/a-look-back-at-minis-record-breaking-2012-sales/
35. http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/12/05/mini-usa-sales-down-13-for-november/
36. Hudson, Paul (16 April 2014). "New Mini Countryman revealed". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
37. Specifications of the new MINI Countryman Models, valid from July 2014.
38. Mini lifts veil on refreshed Countryman in New York
39. MINI at the New York International Auto Show 2014.
40. http://www.miniusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=956&mid=184
41. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0265095EN/driving-fun-for-every-occasion:-the-new-mini-countryman
42. "MINI confirms WRC entry from 2011". AUSmotive.com.
43. MINI set to join World Rally Championship from 2011.
44. Autosport. 12 May 2012 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99563. Missing or empty |title= (help)
45. Mini exiting WRC after just one year
46. http://www.carscoops.com/2012/01/mini-countryman-wins-dakar-2012.html
47. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1081804_x-raid-team-drives-mini-countryman-to-second-consecutive-dakar-rally-win
48. Mission title defence: MINI Countryman in the 2013 Dakar Rally.
49. Mini celebrates racing success with John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner 2013
50. Moss, Darren (20 January 2014). "Mini wins 2014 Dakar Rally". Autocar. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
51. http://www.worldcarfans.com/113053058248/mini-countryman-getting-ready-for-pikes-peak-video
52. Autocar roadtest Mini Countryman 1.6 Cooper D ALL4
54. CHOUDHURY, SANTANU (18 April 2013). "BMW Starts Production of Mini in India". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
55. "Locally assembled MINI Countryman unveiled". Star Motoring. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
56. "BMW Group Thailand begins local assembly of Mini Countryman". Bangkok Business Brief. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
57. Elegant stylist meets talented all-rounder: The MINI Paceman and MINI Countryman bring more variety and driving fun to the premium compact segment.
58. Breaking a record to mark an anniversary: MINI continues its success story in the USA.
59. Talented all-rounder and bestseller: The 250,000th MINI Countryman leaves the factory.