News: Another addition to the Mini family

Mini Malaysia introduces the new Mini Cooper S Countryman to us. By Jerrica Leong

Here comes the most versatile Mini yet. The Mini Cooper S Countryman has an overall length of four metres to fit the driver’s everyday needs, whether it is a drive around the city or out on a jaunt to the beach.

The Countryman is over 4-metres long that gives you exterior flexibility and space for five people plus their luggage. Yet the drivetrain doesn’t stray far from the trademark go-kart driving dynamics. Power comes from a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection completed with a fully variable valve management.

The powertrain gives the Countryman the ability to generate a maximum output of 190bhp at 5500-6500rpm and a peak torque of 240Nm that enables the car to make the century sprint in 7.8 seconds. The Countryman manages a top speed of 212kph. Fuel economy is calculated by the EU test cycle stands at 7.5-litres per 100km.

Mini has even given a few refreshments to the exterior of the Countryman. It now has a newly designed structure of a horizontal front grille design with blade element. The Countryman also has the new Xenon headlights as well. Five seating comes as standard for the new Countryman.

The interior of the Countryman receives a makeover as well with the 6.5in high resolution colour LCD screen playing centre stage. This is also the first time the Countryman comes equipped with Mini Connected App that allows users to pick up preferred radio stations from around the world regardless of their location. The app also provides access to innovative entertainment, social networking and driving related functions.

Not just that Mini Connected gives the driver unlimited access to social networking sites and also includes the Mission Control which coaches the driver on sustainable driving techniques with useful information obtained from the vehicle’s sensors.

Mini’s new Cooper S Countryman comes with two new metallic colours, Jungle Green and Midnight Grey while Starlight Blue metallic is now available for the Countryman for the first time. The Countryman retails at RM243,888.00 OTR without insurance and comes with the Mini Service Inclusive package.