km : Automotive News

Mini--it'd probably be a good idea to send your executives and PR staff to a history class covering Porsche in the first half of the last decade. It was during this time that the company was developing the Cayenne, its first SUV and a dramatic departure from the line of passionate, involving sports cars. In a nutshell, here's what happened: Brand loyalists complained, swore they'd stop supporting a brand that had forgotten what it stood for. New buyers came into the fold and bought many, many Cayennes; profits soared. Loyalists didn't leave, but they're still griping. Hopefully for Mini, since the Countryman is a small crossover and a slightly smaller departure from the current Mini line, the complaining won't last so long.

And we aren't going to join the complaining. In building the Countryman, we don't think Mini is diluting the brand, but securing its future. The original hardtop two-door isn't going anywhere, and frankly, expanding the brand outward and upward likely will allow Mini to keep the hardtop small and fun, since there are now multiple other models for those potential customers asking for more space. So yeah, more power to them for building a maxi-Mini that takes the brand off-road but, we hope, not off-course. Here are the basic Countryman details.

In Europe, the Countryman range will start with the Mini One D Countryman, a 90-hp ultra-efficient diesel model with "Minimalism" features like auto start/stop, brake regeneration, and on-demand management of the engine ancillary units. The US range will start with the Cooper's 1.6-liter four, and both markets will top out with a 184-hp Countryman S model. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be offered, something unique for a small crossover.

New to the Mini brand is all-wheel drive, which will wear the name "ALL4." It's a permanent system, using electrohydraulic differentials to vary distribution of torque infinitely, just like BMW's xDrive. Under normal conditions, the split is an even 50/50. Stability and traction control are both standard, and on the Countryman S, a electronic limited slip differential for the front axle is as well.

Inside, the Countryman doesn't look much different than any other Mini, other than the fact that there's much more space. The seats, dash, and controls look almost identical. However, the Countryman's defining feature is the Center Rail system, which stretches across the entirety of the cabin and receives attachments like sunglass holders, cup holders, or mobile phones. It keeps everything in easy reach for passengers. It also cuts the Countryman's capacity down to four passengers, but the rail can be swapped for a rear bench seat at no extra cost. With everything folded down, the Countryman will hold 41.0 cubic feet of whatever hip young people carry. Bicycles and Pabst cases, perhaps.

Options for the Countryman will be similar to other Minis. This includes xenon headlamps, a massive moonroof, and audio/connectivity options. Surprisingly, Mini is also extending its John Cooper Works performance modifications to the Countryman. A sports suspension lowers the vehicle by 0.4 inches, while wheels can be up-sized all the way to 19 inches. Expect pricing and market availability to start getting announced after the official debut at Geneva.

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