MINI is currently testing a couple new models on the Nurburgring, preparing the next wave of cars that will appeal to the funky side of us. With the Countryman, they’re also aiming at providing some practicality as well.
The current Countryman is the first of its kind and, even though people deemed it useless and ugly when it first came out, it proved to be quite successful over time. The sales speak loudly in this regard.
We liked it not only because it was a practical MINI that offered more than enough space inside, but also because it kept its legacy intact and well alive. Last year, the Brits launched a facelift for the car that went largely unnoticed. That market the four year anniversary for the crossover and told us that the new one is being researched as we speak.
That’s right, in 2017 we’ll be welcoming the second iteration of the Countryman, a car that is supposed to be better in every way. Chances are it will be, and the production costs will also go down.
This is because the UKL platform will be used to make it, with its front-wheel drive modularity included. The engines will be shared with the rest of the range and some BMWs too. They will go from 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged units to 2-liter 4-cylinder ones. Oh, and they will be using petrol, diesel but electricity too, as a plug-in hybrid is already in the works.
Inside, the same design will be kept. Unlike the Clubman that might get a new interior altogether, the Countryman will probably remain faithful to the current styling, featuring buttons and a layout that is already familiar from the hardtop range.
As is the case with all of the BMW Group products, the Countryman had to be tested on the Nurburgring too, in order to see exactly how it handles. You can check it out in the video below.
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