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The Mini, as you once knew it, has grown up. The Countryman can now compete with a midsized SUV and perhaps capable of much more than your conventional SUV, combining typical features such as agility and driving pleasure with generous standard equipment. Bigger? you say. The new Countryman is 13 centimetres longer and eight centimetres higher than its predecessor. The upright silhouette with clearly designed surfaces and the redesigned octagonal front grille contribute to the model's superior appearance. This is Mini to the max.
C and S Models
Mini is describing the performance levels of its petrol engines for the MINI Countryman with C and, as a more powerful model, with S. With the C, the brand combines a high level of driving comfort and spacious room with an efficient 3-cylinder petrol engine.
The Drive Experience
Pic: Supplied
We headed out from the bustling city environs, to the long national roads and then to really put the Mini Countryman through its paces, to the long, winding and serene roads of the Mbombela tree forests. Quick bends left and right, short stretches of flat road and then a few uphills and then downhills. At times, pedal to the metal to bring out the raw speeds and then very quick breaking to negotiate fast and twisty corners. Engage a low gear for that hill-climb and take in the very scenic passes. We were in the country and the Countryman was more than equal to the challenges! The Countryman has the power, spontaneity and responsive steering to journey big. Every twist and turn is an adrenalin-boosting experience, from winding mountain roads to city roundabouts.
Twin Power
The MINI Countryman offers you the power and efficiency of MINI TwinPower Turbo technology. They don't just stand out from the rest – but leave the rest standing. Equipped with efficient TwinPower Turbo technology, the 3-cylinder has an output of 125 kW and 280Nm of torque. This allows the entry-level model to accelerate in 8.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and reach a top speed of 212 km/h. The vehicle has the necessary power and spontaneity for brand-typical driving pleasure.
4 Wheel Drive
The ALL4 all-wheel drive system distributes power dynamically between all wheels, giving you terrain-tackling traction and grip on all surfaces. And if it detects any loss of traction due to wet or icy surfaces, it shifts power dynamically as needed. This let’s take advantage of the rugged, adventurous nature of your MINI Countryman. So whatever the forecast holds, you stay in control – and in your element.
Pic: Supplied
Robust Exterior
The reduced body design with delicate contours gives the model a sleek appearance. Typical of the brand, short overhangs underline the agile vehicle character. Distinctive LED headlights and rear lights accentuate the body design with optional new light signatures. The stylish, concisely designed C-pillar adjoins the stretched vehicle roof flush and in the same colour. Piano Black roof rails are now standard equipment and maximise the transport options of the crossover model, for example with a roof rack or the MINI roof box. On uneven roads, 202 mm ground clearance and the dynamic chassis provide additional safety and comfort. For the new MINI Countryman C, light-alloy wheels are available in various designs and sizes ranging from 17 to 21 inches.
Versatile Interior
The spacious interior of the new Mini Countryman can accommodate up to five adults. With a panoramic glass roof, the interior has additional brightness and all-round visibility. The standard sports seats with patterned multi-tone textile in the cockpit give passengers more space thanks to an additional width of three centimetres in the shoulder and elbow area. The backrest of the three rear seats can be individually adjusted in six positions by up to 12° degrees. The back seat, which can be moved up to 13 cm, creates additional legroom in the rear or even more cargo space.
It's OLED
Pic: Supplied
At the centre of the minimalistic interior design is the round OLED display with a diameter of 240 mm. The new central instrument with a high-quality glass surface allows all infotainment and assistance systems to be operated conveniently and intuitively via touch or voice command. The MINI Experience Modes change the appearance of the cockpit with a combination of visual design, ambient lighting and sound design. All driving functions can be controlled via the characteristic Mini toggle bar.
New Age Materials
Pic: Supplied
Mini is establishing a whole new aesthetic through our use of textiles. The new material we use on the dash and door panels creates an especially comfortable ambience. The fabric is high-quality and easy to clean. It offers a luxurious tactile experience, more design options, and serves as the perfect canvas for showing your exciting projections in the different Mini Experience Modes. And we’ll continue to explore further ways to develop materials that fulfil the demanding criteria when it comes to feel, appearance and wear resistance.
Fold down and load up!
The highly versatile Mini Countryman is more than generous when it comes to space. It has space for five long-legged adults, and the back seats fold to offer extra boot space or legroom. You can create even more legroom or cargo space by sliding the rear bench back or forwards by as much as 13 cm. Whatever you are planning, you can quickly and easily change the layout to fit your needs. It’s the ace of space.
Price
MINI Countryman C. From R724,819.70
MINI Countryman S ALL4. From R795,074.00
