The Address Nov-Dec 2014 (The Festive Issue)

—
The circularinspired
dashboard
design of
the Countryman;
the spacious
backseat with
similar design
aesthetic
← Heading into 2015, we see a mild model update for the
Countryman, mostly surrounding interior and exterior design
changes to fall in line with the revised MINI hatchback
styling. Engine options are as before, being mostly 1.6-litre
PSA motors with natural aspiration of forced induction depending
on the variant. Diesel MINI models aren’t available
for our market, for fear of poor fuel quality. Features and
connectivity have been updated to match the current level
of integration, with better compatibility as well. These
changes are relatively modest, but it’s hard to improve on
an already solid package.
And like all MINI models, the Countryman feels like it
was designed to be entertaining, whether it’s slogging
through rush-hour traffic, or bombing down some twisty
trunk roads on a weekend drive. It’s a car that looks just as
good standing still as it does in motion, both inside and out.
The quirkiness and character may seem a bit strong at first,
but given some time they prove to be quite irresistible, and
soon you will begin to wonder why other cars seem so…
plain. MINI has come a long way as a brand and stepped on
a lot of toes in the process, but it will be interesting to see
what the company will think up next.
78 TA | NOV/DEC 2014