Introducing the Biggest, Most Adventurous MINI Yet: The New MINI Countryman

Woodcliff Lake, NJ,  October 25, 2016. MINI USA introduced today the biggest, most adventurous MINI ever, the all-new 2017 MINI Countryman. That’s not all. For the first time ever, a MINI model will be offered as a plug-in hybrid, combining the best of both worlds. The MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 will be powered by both a three- cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology gasoline engine and an electric hybrid synchronous motor. All three of the new MINI Countryman variants will make their World Premiere at the Los Angeles International Auto Show at a press conference on Wednesday, November 16th, at 11:50 am PDT. 

The all-new MINI Countryman has been completely redesigned and reengineered from the ground up, yet still is instantly identifiable as a MINI. Now incorporating BMW Group engine technology and vehicle architecture, the all-new MINI Countryman offers an all-turbocharged engine lineup with outstanding acceleration and the go-kart driving dynamics that MINI owners have come to know and love – especially when experienced with the added traction that comes from the latest generation of ALL4 all- wheel drive. At the same time, this new architecture delivers excellent ride quality and enables the most spacious MINI interior ever. 

“The new MINI Countryman is not only the largest MINI we’ve ever built, but it’s also the most technologically advanced and most versatile MINI of our product line up,” said Thomas Felbermair, Vice President MINI of the Americas. “The addition of the plug-in hybrid option is a major milestone for the brand and we look forward to bringing this exciting new vehicle into one of the top performing market segments.”

Fun to drive
The benefits from the BMW Group engine technology are evident across both the Cooper and Cooper S variants, with the new three-cylinder MINI TwinPower turbocharged engine on the MINI Cooper Countryman delivering 42 percent more torque than its predecessor, just shy of the outgoing Cooper S variant. The MINI Cooper Countryman can also hit 0 – 60 mph 1.6 seconds more quickly than did its predecessor, and for the first time, can be matched with ALL4 all-wheel drive. Meanwhile, with 207 ft-lbs on tap, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine on the MINI Cooper S Countryman nearly matches the torque output of the outgoing MINI John Cooper Works Countryman.

As the most adventurous MINI ever built, traction and performance in all kinds of conditions, wet or dry, rugged or smooth, straight or curvy, the new MINI Countryman benefits from the all-new ALL4 all-wheel drive system. The fully automatic system seamlessly delivers power to the wheels that grip and reacts to road conditions in as little as .25 seconds, with no action required by the driver or passenger.

Spacious interior
The biggest MINI ever means more space for cargo, people and anything else needed for your next big adventure. The all-new MINI Countryman offer cavernous cargo space with sliding, folding rear seats, a high roofline, and an adjustable trunk floor. The new MINI Countryman now has more front and rear legroom, front and rear headroom and rear seat shoulderroom than many of the major competitors in its class.

Pre-Outfitted with Premium Features
Although the new MINI Countryman continues the MINI tradition of offering an incredible array of possibilities for custom configuration, some customers may find that the car is already loaded before they’ve added any options. Every MINI Countryman will come standard with:

• an expansive Panorama Sunroof
• Sensatec Leatherette Upholstery
• Comfort Access keyless entry
• MINI Connected infotainment system with 6.5-inch high-resolution display
• Rear View Camera with guidelines
• Rear Park Distance Control (parking sensors)
• Bluetooth supporting Telephone, Audio Streaming, and Siri Eyes Free
• Automatic Headlights and Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
• Fore-and-Aft Sliding Rear Seats with Reclining and 40:20:40 Split-Folding
• Backrests 
• 17-inch light alloy wheels (Cooper) or 18-inch light alloy wheels (Cooper S) 

Models with ALL4 all-wheel drive also come standard with heated seats. Cooper S models (with and without ALL4) come with standard LED headlights and daytime running lights, bolstered sport seats, and 18-inch light alloy wheels. 

In addition to the standard features highlighted above, the new MINI Countryman features a number of options to improve the overall experience for the driver and passenger using a completely new generation of technology. A Technology Package includes a new 8.8-inch touchscreen navigation system, driven by MINI Connected 5.0, a redesigned and new-generation user interface and operating system, as well as Qi wireless device charging capability and MINI Find Mate Bluetooth tags. 
 
About MINI in the US
MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The MINI USA sales organization is represented in the U.S. through a network of 126 MINI passenger car dealers in 39 states. MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI Brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of four unique vehicles.

Journalist notes: Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at www.miniusanews.com.   

DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES – MINI COUNTRYMAN Doors 5   Seats 5   Veh. Length  - Cooper inch 169.8  - Cooper S inch 169.8 Veh. width inch 71.7 Width incl mirrors inch 78.9 Veh. height inch 61.3 Wheelbase inch 105.1 Front track  - Cooper  inch 61.5  - Cooper S inch 61.6 Rear track  - Cooper inch 61.6  - Cooper S inch 61.7 Overhang front inch 33.5 Rear overhang  - Cooper inch 31.2  - Cooper S inch 31.2 Ground clearance inch 6.5 Turning circle ft 37.4 Legroom front inch 40.4 Legroom 2nd row inch 37.6 Shoulder room front inch 54.8 Shoulder room rear inch 54 Headroom front inch 40.5 Max. headroom 2nd row inch 38.3 Front Seat Volume ft³ 51.9 Rear Seat Volume ft³ 45 Cargo Volume  - Rear seat in use ft³ 17.6  - Rear seat folded flat ft³ 47.6 Gas tank capacity gal 16.1  - Cooper S E ALL4 gal 9.5                                                                             TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – MINI COUNTRYMAN Cooper       Engine Type Inline 3-cylinder with TwinPower Turbo technology, turbocharged and direct injected Displacement 1499 cm³ Engine power 134 hp @ 4400 rpm Engine torque 162 ft lbs @ 1250 rpm Transmissions 6-speed automatic 6-speed manual Curb Weight (lbs) 3360 3300 0-60 mph 9.3 sec. 9.3 sec. Top speed 124 mph 124 mph Suspension type front 1-link drive strut axle Rear suspension central pivot axle Steering type rack-and-pinion Power-steering EPS Front brake disc ventilated Rear brake disc   Cooper ALL4     Engine Type Inline 3-cylinder with TwinPower Turbo technology, turbocharged and direct injected Displacement 1499 cm³ Engine power 134 hp @ 4400 rpm Engine torque 162 ft lbs @ 1250 rpm Transmissions 8-speed sport automatic 6-speed manual Curb Weight (lbs) 3543 3510 0-60 mph 9.5 sec. 9.5 sec. Top speed 122 mph 122 mph Suspension type front 1-link drive strut axle Rear suspension central pivot axle Steering type rack-and-pinion Power-steering EPS Front brake disc ventilated Rear brake disc     Cooper S     Engine Type Inline 4-cylinder with TwinPower Turbo technology, turbocharged and direct injected Displacement 1998 cm³ Engine power 189 hp @ 5000 rpm Engine torque 207 ft lbs @ 1250 rpm Transmissions 8-speed sport automatic 6-speed manual Curb Weight (lbs) 3508 TBA 0-60 mph 7.2 sec. 7.3 sec. Top speed 139 mph TBA Suspension type front 1-link drive strut axle Rear suspension central pivot axle Steering type rack-and-pinion Power-steering EPS Front brake disc ventilated Rear brake disc     Cooper S ALL4     Engine Type Inline 4-cylinder with TwinPower Turbo technology, turbocharged and direct injected Displacement 1998 cm³ Engine power 189 hp @ 5000 rpm Engine torque 207 ft lbs @ 1250 rpm Transmissions 8-speed sport automatic 6-speed manual Curb Weight (lbs) 3671 3629 0-60 mph 7.0 sec. 7.1 sec. Top speed 137 mph 137 mph Suspension type front 1-link drive strut axle Rear suspension central pivot axle Steering type rack-and-pinion Power-steering EPS Front brake disc ventilated Rear brake disc     Cooper S E ALL4 - PHEV     Engine Type Inline 3-cylinder with TwinPower Turbo technology, turbocharged and direct injected Displacement 1499 cm³ Engine power 134 hp @ 4400 rpm Engine torque 162 ft lbs @ 1250 rpm eDrive   Peak power (Electric) 87 hp Electric engine torque 122 ft lbs Battery Type; Net Capacity kWh Lithium Ion; 7.6 Charging time @ 240v 3:15 Electric top speed 77 mph Electric range 24 miles* Total system power 221 hp Total system torque 284 ft lbs Transmission 6-speed automatic Curb Weight (lbs) TBA 0-60 mph 6.8 sec. Top speed 137 mph Suspension type front 1-link drive strut axle Rear suspension central pivot axle Steering type rack-and-pinion Power-steering EPS Front brake disc ventilated Rear brake disc

*Range is prelimary and will be finalized closer to market launch.