Photo: SB Medien
The current MINI Countryman is the company’s biggest car ever made and the prospect doesn’t look any different. The upcoming model is already being tested and, according to our spyshots, it looks a lot bigger than expected.
Built on the same UKL platform as the rest of the line-up and some bigger BMWs, the new model will keep the sizing on the borderline for MINI customers. Judging by the photos, the car will be similarly sized in comparison to the upcoming X1 but with a slightly lower ground clearance.
Little is know about what it will bring new to the market. The driveline will surely use the latest BMW engines from the B-family, with displacements between 1.5 and 2 liter. The transmission will also be similar to the one used on today’s hardtop, varying between six-speed manuals and automatics.
The biggest surprise could come in the design though as the parent company often said that they are interested in returning it to the British basics. In this regard they want to open a new design studio in the UK that would be operated exclusively by Brits.
Technology-wise, things will remain in BMW’s care, with new age driver assistance systems employed as well as better and more fuel efficient plants.
Of course, since this is scheduled for a late 2016, early 2017 release, the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder mills on the Cooper models could get a power increase bump. The same would be applied to the 2-liter 4-cylinder units on the Cooper S and SD models as they are currently a bit underpowered compared to their displacement. As for a JCW model, we’ll have to wait and see.
Little is know about what it will bring new to the market. The driveline will surely use the latest BMW engines from the B-family, with displacements between 1.5 and 2 liter. The transmission will also be similar to the one used on today’s hardtop, varying between six-speed manuals and automatics.
The biggest surprise could come in the design though as the parent company often said that they are interested in returning it to the British basics. In this regard they want to open a new design studio in the UK that would be operated exclusively by Brits.
Technology-wise, things will remain in BMW’s care, with new age driver assistance systems employed as well as better and more fuel efficient plants.
Of course, since this is scheduled for a late 2016, early 2017 release, the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder mills on the Cooper models could get a power increase bump. The same would be applied to the 2-liter 4-cylinder units on the Cooper S and SD models as they are currently a bit underpowered compared to their displacement. As for a JCW model, we’ll have to wait and see.
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