MINI Countryman arrives in Australia

BMW's baby brand poised for record year with new softroader
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The controversial Countryman may be the opposite of what MINI stands for -- it's big, heavy and thirsty for a MINI -- but it is set to drive record sales for the German-owned Brit brand.

With the arrival of the Countryman, the pioneer of the premium small-car class has finally joined the fastest-growing segment of the new-car market globally: compact SUVs. The all-new model is sold out until June in the UK and Europe -- order one in Australia today and you'll be waiting until mid-year too.

The company predicts that the Countryman will help MINI exceed 3000 sales in a calendar year for the first time in Australia.

"This is a new era for MINI," says David Woollcott, local MINI brand manager.

"The Countryman evolves us from a one-car line-up to a brand all of its own."

The company predicts the Countryman will account for almost one-third of all MINI sales globally -- and half of those buyers will be new to the brand.

"We've had orders for seven months, and people have even ordered cars after seeing them overseas," Woollcott said. "The pre-sale demand is similar to when MINI was re-introduced in 2001."

Among the trade-ins, says Woollcott, are a Porsche Cayenne, Nissan Murano, Nissan Dualis -- and a handful of MINI hatches.

Designed to appeal to growing families -- and to stop MINI owners from migrating to other vehicles -- the Countryman is the company's first four-door, first four-wheel-drive and the first MINI made outside of Britain under the ownership of BMW.

The Countryman comes from a factory close to BMW's home in Munich -- just south of the border in Austria.

Priced from $37,700 across three model grades -- Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper D -- it is designed to compete with the Volkswagen Tiguan, Renault Koleos and Peugeot 3008 prestige models, as well as the top end versions of the Nissan Dualis, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

As with its rivals, MINI expects the diesel to account for about half of all sales, but that model does not arrive in Australia until May.

The Cooper is available in two-wheel-drive only, while the Cooper S and Cooper D will be available in two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. All models are available with automatic or manual transmission.

The Countryman is the smallest compact SUV among its peers but by far the biggest MINI to date. According to MINI's tape measure it is 40cm longer, 15cm taller, 10cm wider and has more luggage space than the regular Cooper hatch.

The Countryman is also the heaviest MINI ever built and the thirstiest model in its current line-up, although it is highly competitive among its class mates. The Countryman is 190kg heavier than the regular Cooper hatch -- and the optional all-wheel-drive system adds a further 70kg to that figure.

Surprisingly, performance is not blunted as much as we'd expected, having sampled the Cooper S in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive guises. Acceleration is perky, and handling, though not as nimble as the hatch, feels stable and secure in corners. (Read our international launch drive and look out for our local coverage soon).

The regular 1.6 model was only available for a short drive at the local unveiling. Though it's not as underpowered as you might expect we'll reserve final judgment until we get behind the wheel for a longer period at a later date.

As with other MINIs, the Countryman comes at a significant price premium given the relative size of the vehicle. The range tops out in excess of $50,000 -- but with options the drive-away price can easily eclipse the $60,000 barrier, making it the most expensive compact SUV on sale in Australia.

"We make no apologies for that," says Woollcott. "MINI is about being exclusive. People want individuality."

As with other MINIs, there are "millions" of colour and trim combinations -- and an adjustable mood lighting switch offers 756 ambient colours at night.

There are 11 different exterior paint colours, eight interior trim options and three choices of door trims.

"We don't expect any two will be the same, and you can't say that about other cars in this class," Woolcott opined.

MINI Countryman prices at a glance:
Cooper 1.6 petrol manual 2WD $37,700
Cooper 1.6 petrol auto 2WD $40,050
Cooper D 1.6 turbo diesel manual 2WD $40,950
Cooper D 2.0 turbo diesel auto 2WD $43,300
Cooper D 1.6 turbo diesel manual 4WD $43,850
Cooper D 2.0 turbo diesel auto 4WD $46,200
Cooper S 1.6 turbo petrol manual 2WD $47,500
Cooper S 1.6 turbo petrol auto 2WD $49,850
Cooper S 1.6 turbo petrol manual 4WD $50,400
Cooper S 1.6 turbo petrol auto 4WD $52,750

Prices exclude registration and dealer delivery charges. Cooper D models due in Australian showrooms in May.

MINI Countryman facts and figures:
Cooper 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol manual: 90kW, 160Nm, 6.5L/100km, 0 to 100km/h 10.5 seconds.
Cooper 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol auto: 90kW, 160Nm, 7.6L/100km, 0 to 100km/h 11.6 seconds.
Cooper D 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel manual: 82kW, 270Nm, 4.9L/100km, 0 to 100km/h 11.6 seconds.
Cooper D 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel auto: 82kW, 270Nm, 4.9L/100km, 0 to 100km/h 11.6 seconds.
Cooper S 1.6 turbo four-cylinder petrol manual: 135kW, 240Nm, 6.6L/100km, 0 to 100km/h 7.6 seconds.
Cooper S 1.6 turbo four-cylinder petrol auto: 135kW, 240Nm, 7.5L/100km, 0 to 100km/h 7.9 seconds.



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