MINI has unveiled the allnew Countryman, the brand’s largest model to date and its contender in the competitive crossover segment.
The latest Countryman is substantially larger than its predecessor. Its length has grown by a whopping 200mm, while its wheelbase has been stretched by 75mm to improve cabin space.
The lengthened wheelbase has not only increased backseat legroom, but also allowed wider rear doors for easier ingress/egress.
Roominess aside, the Countryman is also more practical than before. Its enlarged cargo hold now offers 450 litres (rear seats up) and 1309 litres (rear seats folded), an increase of 100 litres and 139 litres respectively.
For outdoorsy buyers, there’s a Picnic Bench option – a flexible surface that folds out of the boot to provide a “bench” for two.
Meanwhile, drivers can look forward to a more upmarket cockpit, with available options that include electrically adjustable seats and a touchscreen infotainment system.
Driving-wise, there’s a new Country Timer that records how long the car is driven over sloping, uneven and unsurfaced roads. There’s no word on whether carpark ramps are counted, though.
Unlikely to see much action off-road, though, is the Cooper S E Countryman variant, the first MINI with a plug-in petrol-electric powertrain.
The new Countryman will come to Singapore in the first half of 2017.
