2011 MINI Countryman – Australian pricing

The love it or hate it MINI Countryman will be in showrooms around Australia before the end of next month. So, how much will this left of centre MINI hurt the hip pocket? It’s probably no surprise to learn the Countryman won’t be cheap, and pre-driveaway pricing starts at $37,700 for the entry-level Cooper model.

The price to play at the other end of the scale is $56,050 for a Cooper S All4, including Chilli pack. Without the extra goodies you’re looking at $50,400. In the middle sits the front-wheel drive only Cooper S version, which starts at $47,500 (add $5650 for Chilli pack).

Also arriving, a month or so later, are two diesel powered Countryman models. The Cooper version starts at $40,950 or you can opt for the all-wheel drive model priced from $43,850.

It’s interesting to note MINI is preparing quite a list of model variants; there’s 10 in all if you count the Chilli option as a separate model. It will be more interesting to see how well this car sells in Australia. Overseas markets have proved quite fruitful for MINI.

Until we see the Countryman for ourselves we’re unsure if we are in the love it or hate it camp. From what we’ve seen so far, though, we’re leaning towards love it.

Full pricing details after the break. MINI is holding back tech specs and other local market detail until the launch, we’ll bring them to you as soon as we can.

MINI Australia Announces Pricing For The All New MINI Countryman.

• The first MINI with four doors and optional four wheel drive
• Longer, wider, taller and more spacious; a new breed of MINI
• Four variants including ALL4 and 2-litre diesel engine and 1.6
• 2 rear seat configurations available, all with unique new Centre Rail
• Unmatched design customisation choices

MINI Australia today announced pricing for the long-awaited MINI Countryman, set to arrive in Australia in late February. MINI Australia also confirmed the inclusion of a 1.6 litre turbo-diesel engine variant in the Countryman line-up, the MINI Cooper D Countryman, to be available from March production.

MINI Countryman pricing (MRLP) will start at $37,700* for the Cooper Countryman variant. The MINI Cooper S Countryman will start at $47,500* while the four-wheel drive MINI Cooper S ALL4 will start at $50,400*. The MINI Cooper D Countryman will start at $40,950

Heralding a new chapter in the evolution of MINI, the Countryman is more than four metres long with four doors, four seats (or five if required) and a four wheel drive option called “ALL4” to extend the MINI driving excitement off road.

The MINI Countryman for the first time combines the unique handling of a MINI with the variable space and versatility of a four-door, plus the supreme traction of a Sports Activity Vehicle optimised by optional all-wheel drive.

MINI Australia National Manager, David Woollcott said the MINI Countryman will open the door to new MINI customers requiring extra space and flexibility for their family or leisure activities.

“The Countryman is versatile enough to accommodate any lifestyle while retaining the sense of fun that makes all MINIs so good to drive and enjoyable to own,” said Mr Woollcott.

The 1.6-litre MINI Cooper S Countryman with its twin-scroll turbocharger, offers an unprecedented balance of power and fuel economy quite unparalleled in this segment. Maximum output of 135 kW comes at an engine speed of 5,500 rpm, peak torque of 240 Newton-metres is available at just 1,600 rpm, increasing briefly by way of Overboost all the way to 260 Newton-metres for extra power when accelerating hard.

The MINI Cooper S Countryman accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 215 km/h. Fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 6.6litres/100 kilometres with a CO2 rating of 154 grams per kilometre.

Likewise displacing 1.6 litres, the naturally-aspirated power unit of the MINI Cooper Countryman boasts maximum output of 90 kW coming at 6,000 rpm, with peak torque of 160 Newton-metres at 4,250 rpm. The MINI Cooper Countryman accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds. Fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 6.0 litres/100 kilometres with a CO2 rating of 140 grams per kilometre.

The 1.6-litre four-cylinder MINI Cooper D Countryman represents all the outstanding know-how in development of the BMW Group, combining common-rail direct fuel injection with a turbocharger featuring variable turbine geometry for optimum power and performance at all engine speeds.

Maximum output of 82 kW at 4,000 rpm and peak torque of 270 Newton-metres at 1,750 rpm ensures spontaneous acceleration and superior development of power. The MINI Cooper D Countryman accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 185 km/h. Average fuel consumption of the MINI D Countryman in the EU test cycle of just 4.4 litres/100 kilometres is just as impressive as the CO2 rating of 115 grams per kilometer.

The MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman are both available as an option with MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive, The suspension on all models comes as standard with DSC Dynamic Stability Control, while passive safety of the highest calibre is ensured not only by the high-load-resistant body structure, but also by six airbags, three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats and a Tyre Defect Indicator.

The MINI Countryman comes as standard with two single seats at the rear adjustable individually for length, and is available at no extra cost with a three-seat rear bench. Luggage capacity may be increased in several steps from 350 all the way to 1,170 litres.

Australian pricing* for the new MINI Countryman:

• Cooper Countryman – $37,700
• Cooper Countryman Chilli – $43,100
• Cooper S Countryman – $47,500
• Cooper S Countryman Chilli – $53,150
• Cooper S ALL4 Countryman – $50,400
• Cooper S ALL4 Countryman Chilli – $56,050
• MINI Cooper D Countryman – $40,950
• MINI Cooper D Countryman Chilli – $46,350
• MINI Cooper D ALL4 Countryman – $43,850
• MINI Cooper D ALL4 Countryman Chilli – $49,250

*Manufacturer’s Recommended List Pricing (excl. LCT)