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68 STYLE | motoring MINI GROWS UP The Mini Countryman has grown in stature, according to motoring writer Ross Kiddie. When is a Mini not a Mini? The answer is when it is a Mini Countryman. The Countryman is an extension of BMW’s wide-ranging Mini series and you have to eliminate any thought of it being a small car, for the Countryman is more like a mid-size sport utility vehicle, one which will compete in size with the likes of Nissan’s Juke, Toyota’s C-HR and Honda’s HR-V. It will even compete with other BMW product such as the X1. At 4.3m the Countryman is a versatile, functional SUV that has boot space to burn and a five-door liftback design that allows for plenty of onboard space. It’s easily classified as a five-seater and will carry a cargo capacity up to 450-litres (1390-litres, with seats folded forward), which is a significant gain over the hatchback and Clubman. Up front the Countryman is powered by a 2-litre, four-cylinder engine. There is a threecylinder Cooper model which lists at $45,750 and a $59,990 four-wheel-drive variant, but the evaluation car was the mid-range Cooper S, which in standard form lists at $53,890, although it was carrying a heap of optional items that added $16,615 to the price. That aside, the Cooper S Countryman is a mixture of sporty appeal and practicality. The engine is turbocharged and is listed with a 141kW power rating along with a tidy 280Nm torque figure. These figures aren’t so much about ultimate performance, but they are structured to provide lively acceleration along with a muffled exhaust bark on up and downshifts, which is very enticing. BMW claims a 7.4sec standstill to 100km/h time for the Countryman Cooper S along with a 224km/h top speed. It will also return a 5sec time to reach 120km/h from 80km/h. Drive is channelled through an eight-speed automatic gearbox; the seemingly endless supply of ratios and the way the turbo boost is structured isn’t so much about blistering pace but delivering enough punch to keep the engine lively and on song, along with providing realistic fuel usage figures. BMW also claims a 6.5-litre per 100km (44mpg) combined cycle average. Paddle shifters are one of the optional items fitted to the Cooper S Countryman and they promote the sporty characteristics of the car. The engine can easily be kept in the optimum power band or used to upshift early so the engine torque patterns are utilised – such as city driving, for example. I took the evaluation car inland to my mother’s home in Kirwee with the intention of travelling further west on Inland Scenic Route 72. I had the Countryman on the weekend following the mid-July polar blast that swept the country, which meant that snow was banked up on the side of many of the roads and I was very wary of black ice. That being the case, the All4 Countryman would have been more appropriate. Nevertheless, with front-drive only, the Cooper S exuded a solid feel through the steering, although I was very circumspect in the slippery conditions. On the short pieces of dry road that I encountered, the handling was decisive. The Mini has direct steering and high directional accuracy through grippy Bridgestone Potenza tyres (225/45), the latter fitted to optional 19in wheels.
STYLE | motoring 69 THE SPECS PRICE: Mini Countryman, $53,890 DIMENSIONS: Length, 4299mm; width, 1822mm; height, 1557mm CONFIGURATION: Four-cylinder, frontwheel-drive, 1998cc, 141kW, 280Nm, eight-speed automatic PERFORMANCE: 0-100km/h, 7.4sec FUEL USAGE: 6.5l/100km The test car was also fitted with an optional electronic damper control system whereby the driver can firm the fully independent suspension by selecting sport mode. Rigidity is enhanced significantly with the handling transformed into traditional Mini-like capability. The balance of power and handling is delightful, the Countryman feels eager and nimble. It is a true driver’s car, but one which also takes care of its occupants. It has quality trim elements and many functions. For those who are familiar with the original Mini concept, or even those my age who remember well the Minis of the 60s to the year 2000, will relate to the Countryman’s interior. It is very retrospective with large round dials, switches and toggles which control many of the interior systems. Of course, the new-generation models have advanced safety systems and technology which is utilised in mainstream BMW product. One of the reasons BMW has been so successful with the new Mini is its eye appeal and distinctive retrospective style. Even though the Countryman explores the boundaries of that, it is still true to the concept and will appeal to those who want something just a little bit different in a car, but one which has the practicality that the modern SUV is so highly regarded for. cnr Montreal & St Asaph Streets, Christchurch www.christchurchmitsubishi.co.nz Sales, Service & Parts: <strong>03</strong> 379 0588 NEW 2018 ASX ONLY $29,990 +ORC* TAKE HOME MORE THAN EVER If you’ve got an eye for style, look how much you’ll take home in the new 2018 ASX XLS. • Smartphone Connectivity • Reversing Camera • Daytime Running LEDs • 7.6L per 100km Efficiency • 10 Year Warranty • 2.0L Engine • 18" Alloys • 5-Star Safety • Keyless Entry • New Sports Fabric Call <strong>03</strong> 379 0588 or come in and visit us for a test drive. * Price listed is for ASX 2WD XLS. Price excludes On Road Costs which includes WoF, Registration and a full tank of fuel. Offer available while stocks last. Visit mmnz.co.nz for full Diamond Advantage terms and conditions.
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