New Mini Cooper Countryman explained in detail

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As the second generation Mini Countryman sees its India launch at the ongoing Auto Expo, the tradition-steeped British brand has added yet another lifestyle offering to its line-up. The new Countryman, according to Mini, is their biggest and most versatile model in the brand's 57-year history.

The new Countryman is some 20cm longer than its predecessor and approximately 3cm wider. Its wheelbase has been extended by 7.5cm. The end result is that you now have slightly more passenger space and a marginally bigger boot. The rear seats can be shifted longitudinally by up to 13cm. The folding rear backrest offers a 40:20:40 split. The boot space is 450 litres and can be extended to a total of 1,309 litres. With the rear seats down, the boot space has increased by 220 litres as compared to the predecessor.

In terms of styling, the new Countryman features design elements that are typical of the brand, including the three-way structure of the side view - broken down into roof, glass section and the main body - as well as the short overhangs, large wheel arches and downward increase in width. Meanwhile, the upright rear lights, the hexagonal radiator grille and the large headlamps have been slightly revised.

As for the equipment inside, you get climate control, a large display for the infotainment system, electrically foldable mirrors, a premium audio system, ambient lighting, steering mounted controls and lots more. Electric adjustment for the front seats is now part of the optional equipment and the overall quality of the plastics has been improved, too. 

Under the hood, the new Countryman can be had with either a 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with 192bhp of power and 280Nm of torque or a 2-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine with 150bhp of power and 330Nm of torque. Transmission duties, meanwhile, will be handled by a new 8-speed automatic which replaces the old 6-speeder. 

The second-gen Mini Countryman's prices are to be announced later. While it is slated to be locally produced, deliveries are expected to begin later this year with test drives/bookings to commence from next month onwards. Competition for the Countryman will come from the Volvo V40 Cross Country. Other options around the same prices include Mini’s very own Clubman, the Mercedes B-Class and the Audi A3.