MINI MODELS
MINI Hardtop
MINI Hardtop News
Images
Video
Tech Specs & Pricing
MINI Hardtop 4 Door
MINI Hardtop 4 Door News
Images
Video
Tech Specs & Pricing
MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS
MINI JCW NEWS
IMAGES
Video
TECH SPECS & PRICING
MINI Clubman
MINI Clubman News
Images
Video
TECH SPECS & PRICING
MINI COUNTRYMAN
MINI Countryman News
Images
Video
Tech Specs & Pricing
MINI Convertible
MINI Convertible News
Images
Video
Tech Specs & Pricing
MINI Electric
MINI Electric News
Images
Video
TECH SPECS & PRICING
CORPORATE NEWS
CORPORATE NEWS
BMW Group News
Sales
Images
Video
MTTS
MTTS
2022 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2022 MTTS News
2022 MTTS Images
2022 MTTS Video
2020 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2020 MTTS News
2020 MTTS Images
2018 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2018 MTTS News
2018 MTTS Blog
2018 MTTS Images
2018 MTTS Video
2016 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2016 MTTS News
2016 MTTS Blog
2016 MTTS Images
2016 MTTS Video
2014 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2014 MTTS News
2014 MTTS Blog
2014 MTTS Images
2014 MTTS Video
2012 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2012 MTTS News
2012 MTTS Blog
2012 MTTS Images
2012 MTTS Video
2010 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2010 MTTS News
2010 MTTS Blog
2010 MTTS Images
2010 MTTS Video
Heritage
Concepts
Concepts
MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept
MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Electric Concept
MINI Electric Concept News
Images
Video
MINI CitySurfer Concept
Mini Citysurfer Concept News
Video
MINI Superleggera Vision Concept
MINI Superleggera Vision Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Beachcomber Concept
MINI Beachcomber Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Clubman Concept
MINI CLUBMAN CONCEPT NEWS
Images
Video
MINI Clubvan Concept
MINI Clubvan Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Coupe Concept
MINI Coupe Concept News
Images
Video
MINI E
MINI E News
Images
Video
MINI Paceman Adventure
Mini Paceman Adventure News
Images
MINI Paceman Concept
MINI Paceman Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Roadster Concept
MINI Roadster Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Rocketman Concept
MINI Rocketman Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Scooter E Concept
MINI Scooter E Concept News
Images
Video
EVENTS
EVENTS
2022 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2022 MTTS News
2022 MTTS Images
2022 MTTS Video
2020 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2020 MTTS News
2020 MTTS Images
2018 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2018 MTTS News
2018 MTTS Blog
2018 MTTS Images
2018 MTTS Video
2016 MINI Takes the States
2016 MINI MTTS News
2016 MTTS Blog
2016 MINI Images
2016 MTTS Video
2015 MINI on the Mack
2015 MINI on the Mack News
Images
Video
2014 MINI Takes the States
2014 MINI MTTS News
2014 MTTS Blog
2014 MTTS Images
2014 MTTS Video
2012 MINI Takes the States
2012 MTTS News
2012 MTTS Blog
2012 MTTS Images
2012 MTTS Video
2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance News
Images
2010 MINI Takes the States
2010 MTTS News
2010 MTTS Blog
2010 MTTS Images
2010 MTTS Video
Auto Shows
Technology
Motorsports
Press Kits
Press Kits
2023 MODEL YEAR UPDATES
2022 Model Year Updates
2022 MY Press Kits
Specifications
Specifications
2022 MY Specifications
MINI MODELS
MINI Hardtop
MINI Hardtop News
Images
Video
Tech Specs & Pricing
MINI Hardtop 4 Door
MINI Hardtop 4 Door News
Images
Video
Tech Specs & Pricing
MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS
MINI JCW NEWS
IMAGES
Video
TECH SPECS & PRICING
MINI Clubman
MINI Clubman News
Images
Video
TECH SPECS & PRICING
MINI COUNTRYMAN
MINI Countryman News
Images
Video
Tech Specs & Pricing
MINI Convertible
MINI Convertible News
Images
Video
Tech Specs & Pricing
MINI Electric
MINI Electric News
Images
Video
TECH SPECS & PRICING
CORPORATE NEWS
CORPORATE NEWS
BMW Group News
Sales
Images
Video
MTTS
MTTS
2022 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2022 MTTS News
2022 MTTS Images
2022 MTTS Video
2020 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2020 MTTS News
2020 MTTS Images
2018 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2018 MTTS News
2018 MTTS Blog
2018 MTTS Images
2018 MTTS Video
2016 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2016 MTTS News
2016 MTTS Blog
2016 MTTS Images
2016 MTTS Video
2014 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2014 MTTS News
2014 MTTS Blog
2014 MTTS Images
2014 MTTS Video
2012 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2012 MTTS News
2012 MTTS Blog
2012 MTTS Images
2012 MTTS Video
2010 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2010 MTTS News
2010 MTTS Blog
2010 MTTS Images
2010 MTTS Video
Heritage
Concepts
Concepts
MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept
MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Electric Concept
MINI Electric Concept News
Images
Video
MINI CitySurfer Concept
Mini Citysurfer Concept News
Video
MINI Superleggera Vision Concept
MINI Superleggera Vision Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Beachcomber Concept
MINI Beachcomber Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Clubman Concept
MINI CLUBMAN CONCEPT NEWS
Images
Video
MINI Clubvan Concept
MINI Clubvan Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Coupe Concept
MINI Coupe Concept News
Images
Video
MINI E
MINI E News
Images
Video
MINI Paceman Adventure
Mini Paceman Adventure News
Images
MINI Paceman Concept
MINI Paceman Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Roadster Concept
MINI Roadster Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Rocketman Concept
MINI Rocketman Concept News
Images
Video
MINI Scooter E Concept
MINI Scooter E Concept News
Images
Video
EVENTS
EVENTS
2022 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2022 MTTS News
2022 MTTS Images
2022 MTTS Video
2020 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2020 MTTS News
2020 MTTS Images
2018 MINI TAKES THE STATES
2018 MTTS News
2018 MTTS Blog
2018 MTTS Images
2018 MTTS Video
2016 MINI Takes the States
2016 MINI MTTS News
2016 MTTS Blog
2016 MINI Images
2016 MTTS Video
2015 MINI on the Mack
2015 MINI on the Mack News
Images
Video
2014 MINI Takes the States
2014 MINI MTTS News
2014 MTTS Blog
2014 MTTS Images
2014 MTTS Video
2012 MINI Takes the States
2012 MTTS News
2012 MTTS Blog
2012 MTTS Images
2012 MTTS Video
2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance News
Images
2010 MINI Takes the States
2010 MTTS News
2010 MTTS Blog
2010 MTTS Images
2010 MTTS Video
Auto Shows
Technology
Motorsports
Press Kits
2023 MODEL YEAR UPDATES
2022 Model Year Updates
2022 MY Press Kits
Specifications
2022 MY Specifications
EMAIL ALERTS
Press release
2011 MINI Countryman S: The Inside Scoop
2011 MINI Countryman S: The Inside Scoop
By Tamara Warren
Today I took the wheel of the brand-spanking new 2011 MINI Countryman S on the MTTS trek to Kansas City from St. Louis. While the material written for this blog is MINI-endorsed, I’m an independent writer with my own observations. Here’s my unscientific first drive of the Countryman.
After nearly 1000 miles of MINI driving across America, I have a solid grasp on the finer points of the zippy Clubman handling, which gives me comparative reference for the Countryman. I also have the unique perspective of the devoted MINI drivers I’ve met. Along the route, I’ve listened to a range of opinions on what the Countryman means to the loyal group of owners at MTTS. The overall assessment is that the Countryman is a well-regarded new addition to the family. In fact, I have yet to bump into any real criticism. Many drivers I spoke to expressed the intention to buy. Others just wanted a chance to test drive to answer the proverbial question: Does the Countryman have MINI DNA?
Let’s start with the looks. I’ve driven behind the Countryman on stretches of endless highway. From a distance, the backend is easily mistakable for one its smaller MINI siblings. The exterior retains the flowing form language that conjures up the notion of classic British sportiness, and this shape comes into its own on the streets, leading a pack of Clubmans, Convertibles and Hardtops.
The interior is where the Countryman takes its design cues to a new level. The position of the seats adds depth and dimension. The back seat has separate seating for two, which creates the sense of larger proportion, accentuated by a high roofline. The model I drove was black leather with red trim and accents. Black is a color that tends to shrink environments, but the cabin still felt generous, packed with our suitcases. The clean design integrated the technology in a bulbous center consul that was operated with the toggle of a switch. The surface features reminded me of something that might be found at the MOMA design store.
I started out in the passenger seat as David Duncan, Manager, Product Strategy and Aftersales for MINI took the reins. Leaving downtown St. Louis, the ride from the passenger-seat perspective was smooth. The cabin was quiet and conducive to conversation. We switched spots half way to Kansas City. I immediately found the Countryman to be light on its feet and responsive on the throttle and passing, with the S living up to its extra spunk. I drove the six-speed manual transmission, and felt equally comfortable at high speeds and coasting. It handles more like a car than the average crossover. When the Missouri sky turned a shade of granite, I felt no change on the wet surface as the drops fell. As I made my way down I-70, a crossover driver in another make pulled alongside, craning their neck for a better look in what seemed to be envy.
Countryman is not exactly like anything else on the road. That's because it is truly the next generation of MINI, where logic and fun intersect. So to answer the question: Countryman is a dynamo when it needs to be quick on the draw, and a sensible companion with elbow room. In essence, it’s a more refined MINI. MINI folk, rest easy.
By using this website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our
privacy policy
.
Accept