Countryman – Page 2 – AUSmotive.com

MINI gives Countryman an early preview

Earlier in the week MINI gave journos from around the globe a sneak peek at the new MINI Countryman. Yeah, I know, must be another lost invitation in the mail for AUSmotive. Anyway, MINI didn’t muck about either, sending the hacks out on a track with the most powerful Cooper S version, and fitted with the company’s new ALL4 all-wheel drive system.

So, is this just a big lard arse that will damage the excellent reputation BMW has forged for the MINI brand? Here’s a snippet from the MotoringFile review:

“So here it is. My chance to rip the Countryman apart for being overwrought and overweight. When it was first announced no one at MotoringFile hid their feelings of disdain for the idea of a MINI crossover. Why? It was against what we all knew the brand to be. But more than anything it was an affront to the performance mind-set that so many of us have when it comes to these small cars. And yet Iâ€™m sitting in Munich after just driving a pre-production R60 trying to conjure up the adjectives that best describe how shockingly good the car really is.”

Sounds promising. Well, for those readers who can get past the fact that MINI are a) making a crossover and b) making a proper mid-size car at all. There will be a lot who won’t. And that’s probably fair enough, too.

The MotoringFile article is quite detailed and includes some great information on the new Countryman, so do check it out if this car floats your boat. Below you will see more images from the preview. Also included is MINI’s press release from Munich. Not sure why the cars are wearing camouflage given official images of the Countryman were released in January, but there you go.

2010 MINI Countryman photo gallery

Following the leaked images earlier in the week MINI promptly responded by releasing over 50 official pictures, as well as confirming the model’s Countryman name. You can see those images, along with MINI’s press release after the break. As usual, simply click on the pics you like to launch wallpaper-friendly 2000px super images.

The Countryman, previously previewed with the Beachcomber Concept, will be the first MINI to feature their new ALL4 all-wheel drive system. It is worth noting, though, ALL4 remains an option to be ticked at this stage, it is not standard equipment (pending Australian market specification).

MINI’s full complement of engine options will find homes under the Countryman’s skin. That means the about to be updated 135kW Cooper S engine right down to oil-burner from the 66kW One D. The only motor missing from MINI’s kit bag is the very enthusiastic 154kW John Cooper Works option. But, hold the phone, a JCW Countryman may be coming at a later date, along with the growing rumour of a World Rally Championship entry.

Personally, I am pleasantly surprised by the general look of the Countryman. Having said that, it is definitely a car that needs to be seen in the metal to truly judge its proportions. The finer design details set a unique language for the Countryman, while clearly being a part of the MINI range. The detail of the roofline over the Countryman’s C-pillar is very reminiscent of the similar juncture on the MINI CoupÃ© Concept.

Okay, now to address the elephant in the room. Why on earth is MINI making the Countryman at all? “Alec Issigonis” and “turning in his grave” are terms on high rotation since these photos came to be. But would Issigonis really be recoiling in such horror?