MINI will launch its latest and largest model, the MINI Countryman, to the UK market on September xviii 2010.  Countryman will be the 4th fellow 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 4 wheel drive.  The MINI Countryman volition exist available in vii models, two of which will offer ALL4, MINI's new four bicycle drive option.   Countryman offers more space, more practicality and more versatility than any MINI before and it volition likewise spearhead MINI'south render to the World Rally Championship in 2011.

"Countryman takes the MINI story to a new level in the make's 51 twelvemonth heritage" said Jochen Goller, Director of MINI Great britain.  "With extra space, ALL4 and four doors we believe the MINI Countryman will appeal to a completely new audience and with prices starting at £16,000 with a very high standard specification, I think we are on to a winner" he said.  "The fact that Countryman is already sold out for this year indicates that MINI showrooms are going to be popular this fall" Goller observed.

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The market place for Countryman

The need for crossover vehicles has grown substantially in recent years:  drivers desire the all-time of both worlds with normal saloon-similar driving responses as well as the added versatility of soft off-road ability and the interior flexibility to cope with all the hobbies, shopping trips and activities that are such a huge part of decorated modern family life.

As a outcome, MINI Countryman arrives in a growing segment that presents an opportunity to attract buyers from a wide range of competitive cars.  Not but will they discover the flexibility their lifestyle demands but they will also discover the world of MINI, a world where practicality and versatility does not bring limitations on the fun that tin can be derived from driving.

"The Countryman models still pack in the driving thrills that put a grin on your face the mode all MINIs practice" said Lee Connolly, Product and Planning Director at MINI UK.  "But the Countryman also brings new levels of infinite and versatility to the range that volition attract non only existing MINI owners merely too new customers.  We expect that the extra space volition hateful that around 80 per cent of Countryman sales will come up from customers completely new to the MINI brand. Already we see the MINI Countryman existence the benchmark in terms of residual values and lease company whole life costs. "

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Typically MINI yet topically different

One could not mistake the new Countryman for annihilation other than a MINI all the same information technology is distinctly different to any that has gone before.  It is 374mm longer than a MINI Hatch (at 4097mm), 106 mm wider (at one,789 mm) and 154mm taller (at 1561mm). Countryman offers 190 litres more luggage capacity than a MINI Hatch with the seats up (a full of 350 litres) and 1,170 litres with the rear seats folded apartment.  For the showtime time ever a MINI has four broad-opening doors, passenger capacity for v adults and a flexible, activity-orientated interior packed with innovations.  All UK models will be built every bit 5 seat cars, although customers can specify the four seat option at no extra price.

Featuring that typical 'wheel at each corner' stance with curt overhangs, the Countryman not merely 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 college ground clearance for soft off-route driving.

Many blueprint characteristics are familiar such as the loftier window line surrounding the glasshouse while others are new interpretations of iconic features.  For example, the roofline with roof rails, the reinterpretation of the hexagonal radiator grille on the Cooper S models, and the prominent headlight units integrated into the bonnet.

The front of the Countryman is more upright projecting a confident 'face' which also offers improved pedestrian safety.  The cycle arches are more than flared highlighting the robust nature of the Countryman as a truthful crossover and its soft off-road ability while the pattern of the wide-opening tailgate offers easy access to the big kicking infinite.

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Practical, flexible and fun interior

Inside the MINI Countryman is all about condolement, practicality and innovative style. The higher seating position offers ameliorate visibility for the driver and passengers, a feature specially appreciated by children.   From the iv broad-opening doors to the high-opening rear hatch, Countryman provides like shooting fish in a barrel and comfortable access and it'southward a dream to load.  The boot space of 350 litres is more than than double that of the Hatch and xc litres more than Clubman offers. With the rear seats folded flat the interior provides no less than 1,170 litres of load space.  Flexibility is non compromised but celebrated in the new Countryman range.

The multi-function rear seats are arranged with a 60:40 split base for the 3 rear seat passengers and both rear seat squabs are also individually adaptable, sliding back or forth by 130mm to brand the best employ of space.  The backrests, past contrast, are arranged in a twoscore:twenty:40 split that provides absolute flexibility with all 3 seatbacks capable of folding flat in any combination.

The interior is dominated past iconic MINI blueprint characteristics such equally comfortable yet grippy optional sports seats, the trademark central speedometer and peachy, funky switch packs.  New elements of MINI design language are introduced with the elliptical interior door trims that continue from the forepart to the rear door and back.  Also new is the MINI Heart Rail organisation.  When ordered equally a four seat configuration, In place of the conventional centre console the U-shaped Center Rail runs from front to rear down the centreline of the Countryman  and opens upwardly new, individual options for integrating all kinds of storage boxes, cup holders, ability chargers, music players, mobile phones and other accessories such as a sunglasses case.  A user-friendly prune-in zipper system allows the MINI Heart Rail to be divided up as desired and each detail can slide easily backwards or frontward for the convenience of all occupants. When ordered with the rear bench seat, as is standard in the U.k., the Centre Rail stops between the driver and passenger seats.

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Inspirational engines – powerful responses and supreme economy in equal measure

At launch the Countryman range volition include 3 petrol – MINI 1, Cooper and Cooper S – and two diesel fuel models – MINI One D and Cooper D – besides 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 leap 2010 and feature the BMW Grouping's considerable expertise in marrying free-revving, refined and efficient driving characteristics.

The petrol engines all feature Variable Valve Timing (VVT), similar to the BMW Valvetronic system, and produces more torque low downward and aids response and efficiency.  The Cooper S model also benefits from a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection that gives blistering performance with pocket-size fuel economic system and low CO² emissions.

The diesel models are powered by an all-new  BMW 1.6 litre iv cylinder, the N47 turbocharged unit of measurement that employs all the BMW Grouping's proven prowess with compression ignition engines.  The lightweight aluminium engines use common-rail directly injection and a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry.  Both are fitted with a diesel fuel particulate filter and an oxidation catalytic converter.  These land of the art diesel power units set the highest standards, not only for functioning and response simply also for fuel economy and low emissions. The Cooper D Countryman will exist available with an automatic manual in March 2011.

All MINI Countryman models drive through a six speed manual gearbox.  A six speed automatic manual is available as an option for the petrol-engined cars.

[Source: BMW ]