MINI set to launch largest model yet, the Countryman, with 4x4 options
Written By Alison Bell Published On: Sep 03 2010 MINI fans will be extremely excited to know that the car maker is set to launch its latest and largest model, the MINI Countryman, to the UK market later this month. And for those who have always wanted more space than MINI has offered in the past, or capacity for off-road driving, they're in for a treat.
The Countryman will be the fourth member of the MINI family following Hatch, Convertible and Clubman but the first to have four doors, seating for five adults and the first to offer four wheel drive. The MINI Countryman will be available in seven models, two of which will offer ALL4, MINI's first foray into four wheel drive vehicles. What's more, the Countryman offers more space than any MINI and it will spearhead MINI’s return to the World Rally Championship in 2011.MINI's biggest offering, it is 374mm longer than a MINI Hatch (at 4097mm), 106 mm wider (at 1,789 mm) and 154mm taller (at 1561mm). It offers 190 litres more luggage capacity than a MINI Hatch with the seats up (a total of 350 litres) and 1,170 litres with the rear seats folded flat. For the first time ever a MINI has four wide-opening doors, passenger capacity for five adults and a flexible, activity-orientated interior packed with innovations. All UK models will be built as five seat cars, although customers can specify the four seat option at no extra cost.Featuring that typical ‘wheel at each corner’ stance with short overhangs, the Countryman not only has larger dimensions than its cousins but also a higher ride height. This provides the commanding driving position preferred by many drivers with a 10mm higher ground clearance for soft off-road driving. There's also a high seating position offering better visibility for the driver and passengers and the four wide-opening doors provide easy access.The multi-function rear seats are arranged with a 60:40 split base for the three rear seat passengers and both rear seat squabs are also individually adjustable, sliding back or forth to make the best use of space. The backrests, by contrast, are arranged in a 40:20:40 split that provides absolute flexibility with all three seatbacks capable of folding flat in any combination.
Interior
The interior is dominated by iconic MINI design characteristics such as comfortable yet grippy optional sports seats, the trademark central speedometer and neat, funky switch packs. New elements of MINI design language are introduced with the elliptical interior door trims that continue from the front to the rear door and back. Also new is the MINI Centre Rail system. When ordered as a four seat configuration, In place of the conventional centre console the U-shaped Centre Rail runs from front to rear down the centreline of the Countryman and opens up new, individual options for integrating all kinds of storage boxes, cup holders, power chargers, music players, mobile phones and other accessories such as a sunglasses case. A user-friendly clip-in attachment system allows the MINI Centre Rail to be divided up as desired and each item can slide easily backwards or forwards for the convenience of all occupants. When ordered with the rear bench seat, as is standard in the UK, the Centre Rail stops between the driver and passenger seats.At launch the Countryman range will include three petrol – MINI One, Cooper and Cooper S - and two diesel models – MINI One D and Cooper D - as well as two ALL4 all wheel drive models, the Cooper D ALL4 and Cooper S ALL4. Each model is equipped with an entirely new generation of power units. The petrol engines are the new 1.6 litre four cylinder power plants already announced for the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman models in spring 2010.All MINI Countryman models drive through a six speed manual gearbox. A six speed automatic transmission is available as an option for the petrol-engined cars.Brake Energy Regeneration is standard on all Countryman models. Rather than waste the energy dissipated when the brakes are applied the energy is recycled and used to charge the battery. This enables the alternator to disengage thereby saving engine’s power for driving the front wheels. Overall the system saves fuel and lowers emissions. At the same time the intelligent energy management system constantly manages battery charge.Other examples include the Auto Start/Stop function on manual cars that stops the engine whenever the car stops, the clutch is disengaged and the gear lever is moved into neutral: at traffic lights for instance . The engine starts again immediately the clutch is engaged again. When one considers the nature of start/stop driving on Britain’s roads it is easy to appreciate the fuel saving this system can achieve.
Four wheel drive
For the very first time in MINI’s 51-year history two models in the new Countryman range will offer four-wheel drive. The MINI Cooper D and Cooper S ALL4 models will be available from day one while a MINI Cooper ALL4 version will follow in 2012.The Countryman ALL4 is a front wheel drive car in most normal circumstances, but when any slip is detected on the front wheels, or if the car is being driven enthusiastically, an electro-magnetic clutch, located on the rear axle, engages drive to the rear wheels to improve traction. To enable this imperceptible change of the driven wheels a propeller shaft from the front axle is driven constantly and is ready to direct drive forces from the front axle to the rear immediately. The amount of power fed to the rear wheels is infinitely variable between one and 100%, depending upon the driving conditions.Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) allows controlled slip through the driven wheels to aid moving off on loose sand or deep snow. DTC is standard feature on the two ALL4 models and the front-wheel drive MINI Cooper S Countryman, and is also available as an option for the other models. When the stability system is deactivated (in DSC Off mode) an electronic locking function for the front axle differential comes into play. In tight corners it brakes a spinning wheel as required to reduce slip and enhance handling. Known as Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), this system enhances the car’s traction without adversely affecting its steering properties.So if the new supersized MINI appeals, then you only have to wait until September 18 before it goes on sale in the UK.
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