Photo: CarPix
The current (and first) MINI Countryman was launched back in 2010 and, as you probably figured it out already, it will go out of production next year. The new model, however, is supposedly going to be a lot bigger and more ‘authentic’ as an SUV.
That’s at least according to the most recent info coming in from MINI. Autocar reports that their sources hint at a reinvention of the car, that will grow even further in size.
Up until the Clubman was launched, the Countryman was the biggest model in the British marque’s line-up. Now that title passed to the new premium compact that will be looking to fight with bigger cars, never before challenged by MINI.
If the rumors are true, then the new Countryman will be probably sharing the same chassis length as the Clubman but with typical SUV proportions. It will be higher and offer better ground clearance and more practicality, proving that the rebadging of the brand will also include a move upmarket.
Of course, the underpinnings will still be based on the UKL platform and the same engines will be used under the bonnet. However, we’re not expecting the 1.2-liter entry-level mill to be offered on this ‘generously sized’ MINI. The smallest plant will be the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged mill on the Cooper models of today.
Going further up, we’ll find 2-liter 4-cylinder mills on both petrol and diesel that could have outputs as high as 300 HP if we’re to believe the rumors. However, that seems far fetched at the moment and not even the JCW models might not see such high outputs.
As for the all-wheel-drive system, it’s probably going to be exactly the same as on the rest of the line-up that uses the UKL platform. It will basically send all of its power to the front axle and some of it to the back, whenever needed.
A plug-in hybrid version will probably be in the offering as well and it will share its components with the 2 Series Active Tourer that uses the same kind of propulsion. That means there will be a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine under the bonnet coupled to an electric motor that powers the rear wheels alone. Think of it as a kind of reverse i8.
We’re still at least one year away from seeing the new Countryman but prototypes have already been spotted out testing and they did look a bit bigger than the current version. Of course, they are early versions so they might be testing the powertrain alone while the body lines and styling are still to be decided upon.
Up until the Clubman was launched, the Countryman was the biggest model in the British marque’s line-up. Now that title passed to the new premium compact that will be looking to fight with bigger cars, never before challenged by MINI.
If the rumors are true, then the new Countryman will be probably sharing the same chassis length as the Clubman but with typical SUV proportions. It will be higher and offer better ground clearance and more practicality, proving that the rebadging of the brand will also include a move upmarket.
Of course, the underpinnings will still be based on the UKL platform and the same engines will be used under the bonnet. However, we’re not expecting the 1.2-liter entry-level mill to be offered on this ‘generously sized’ MINI. The smallest plant will be the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged mill on the Cooper models of today.
Going further up, we’ll find 2-liter 4-cylinder mills on both petrol and diesel that could have outputs as high as 300 HP if we’re to believe the rumors. However, that seems far fetched at the moment and not even the JCW models might not see such high outputs.
As for the all-wheel-drive system, it’s probably going to be exactly the same as on the rest of the line-up that uses the UKL platform. It will basically send all of its power to the front axle and some of it to the back, whenever needed.
A plug-in hybrid version will probably be in the offering as well and it will share its components with the 2 Series Active Tourer that uses the same kind of propulsion. That means there will be a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine under the bonnet coupled to an electric motor that powers the rear wheels alone. Think of it as a kind of reverse i8.
We’re still at least one year away from seeing the new Countryman but prototypes have already been spotted out testing and they did look a bit bigger than the current version. Of course, they are early versions so they might be testing the powertrain alone while the body lines and styling are still to be decided upon.
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