When the MINI Countryman was launched in 2010, it offered new ways to enjoy MINI’s hallmark driving fun, taking the experience beyond paved roads and onto off-road tracks in the country. The concept of the MINI Countryman had its roots back in the 1960s in a particularly versatile variant of the classic MINI called the Austin Seven Countryman. The 2010 MINI Countryman aimed to resurrect that spirit of versatility and adventure. It was the first MINI with five doors, five seats and optional all-wheel drive. Now, a new generation MINI Countryman goes even further with the model’s versatility, agility and premium character.

The new MINI Countryman is 20 centimetres longer and approximately three centimetres wider than its predecessor, and its wheelbase has been extended. Its unmistakable aura is defined by an extended ground clearance and raised seating position. “The new MINI Countryman has grown in size. But it was still possible to retain the typical MINI proportions,” says Julius Schluppkotten, MINI Countryman Project Director.

Thanks to its powerful proportions, the new MINI Countryman has a particularly distinctive presence. Precise contours on the generous surfaces create an attractive play of light and shade that underscores the car’s athletic shaping. The new MINI Countryman’s appearance is enhanced by the addition of features like LED headlamps with peripheral daytime driving light ring.

The new MINI Countryman’s larger size results in increased space inside, including five fully-fledged seats as well as an increase in storage volume.

“The interior of the new MINI Countryman emphasises the car’s suitability as a primary vehicle and for families,” says Julius. “The sense of quality in the interior has been significantly enhanced, too.”

The raised seating position ensures an excellent view. Both driver and front passenger benefit from extended head and shoulder space. In addition to interior width, leg space is now more generous, too. And the rear door openings have been enlarged, so it’s easier to get in and out.

High-quality materials, precise finishes, and modern, ergonomically optimised controls contribute to the car’s exclusive ambience. MINI’s hallmark central instrument has a touchscreen display in the new MINI Countryman. The standard fittings include the Radio MINI Boost with four-line display in the central instrument and a Bluetooth hands-free telephone facility.

The latest generation of engines and transmissions gives the new MINI Countryman a perceptible increase in temperament as well as measurable improvements in driving performance figures. The new MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 with 8-speed Steptronic transmission, for example, sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds – making it 0.9 seconds faster than its predecessor.

As soon as the new MINI Countryman moves onto demanding terrain, the type and extent of the challenge are detected and shown on the display in the central instrument by means of graphics. This is the MINI Country Timer, which registers all travel over sloping, uneven, unsurfaced and snow-covered roads and tracks. “The driver can then read on the on-board computer how long and how intensively they have driven over this type of surface,” explains Julius. The driving situation is analysed based on data supplied by the control unit of the Dynamic Stability Control function.

Driving fun in the new MINI Countryman is based not only on versatility, but also on safety and comfort. The standard and optional driver assistance systems are a key factor here. The standard collision warning with city braking function can be extended to include the Driving Assistant system with camera-based active cruise control, pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant, and road sign detection. In addition, Park Distance Control, rear-view camera, Parking Assistant and Head-Up Display are also optional.

Connectivity also moves into a new dimension with the launch of the new MINI Countryman. MINI Connected now goes beyond the familiar in-car infotainment functions to become a personal mobility assistant. Based on a flexible platform, the Open Mobility Cloud, MINI Connected integrates the vehicle seamlessly into the MINI driver’s digital life via touch points like the Apple iPhone and Apple Watch.

At the heart of this connectivity in the new MINI Countryman lies MINI Connected. MINI Connected informs the driver of the optimum departure time based on calendar entries and current traffic data. Address data and appointments previously saved by the driver on a smartphone via MINI Connected are automatically transferred to the car and do not have to be re-entered in the navigation system.

MINI Connected can also save regularly-visited places as favourite destinations and detects frequently covered routes, such as the daily run between home and work, to inform the driver of unexpected traffic delays.

Another new feature in the area of connectivity is MINI Find Mate. This forms part of the Wired package and consists of “tags” with a wireless tracking function that can be attached to frequently used objects and travel items, such as bags, cases, key rings and rucksacks. MINI Find Mate is able to track the location of any such object connected to the system that the driver wants to be sure not to forget: tracking is done not only on the on-board computer of the MINI Countryman, but also on a smartphone. Provided there is a Bluetooth connection with the “tag”, an acoustic signal can be activated in the car or on the smartphone to help locate the object. If the “tag” is outside the Bluetooth range, the driver can be guided to the place where a connection was last detected.

MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN Top Speed:224 km/h  Max Torque:280 Nm at 1 350-4 600 rpm  CO2:149g/km  0-100km/h:7.5 seconds