Mini Countryman
The Mini Countryman, also called Mini Crossover in Japan until 2024, is a subcompact crossover SUV, the first vehicle of this type to be launched by BMW under the Mini marque. It was launched in 2010 and received a facelift in 2014. The second generation vehicle was released in 2017 and received a facelift in 2020. The third generation of the Countryman was released in 2023.
Pre-production concepts
The Mini Crossover Concept previewed the design of the Countryman. It has four doors and four single seats. It was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.The 2010 Mini Beachcomber Concept was based on the Crossover Concept and the Mini Countryman, with no doors and no conventional roof. It included ALL4 all-wheel drive and offroad wheels. It was unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.
First generation (R60; 2010)
The design of Mini's first five-door crossover echoed that of the Mini Crossover Concept. The production model was first unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. UK models went on sale on 18 September 2010. The availability of models varies between markets, with the United States and Russia not taking the One versions or any diesel-powered models. The All4 all-wheel-drive option is available on variable models, again depending on the country.The ALL4 all-wheel-drive powertrain includes electro-hydraulic differential, positioned directly on the transmission's final drive, to vary the power distribution from front to rear. Under normal driving conditions, up to 50 percent of the engine's power goes to the rear wheels. Under "extreme" conditions up to 100 percent heads to the back wheels.
Early models included Cooper S, Cooper S ALL4, Cooper, One, Cooper D, Cooper D ALL4, and One D. Cooper SD, Cooper SD ALL4, Cooper D Automatic, Cooper D ALL4 Automatic were added from spring 2011. In June 2011, Mini USA collaborated with rock band Kiss to create a quartet of one-off Countryman crossovers themed after the band. The cars were placed on auction on eBay, with proceeds going to UNICEF to help children affected by the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The auction was able to raise US$129,000. Mini USA also sold replica vehicle wraps for Countryman owners through their website and dealerships.
In 2012 the Countryman received some minor amendments, including an EU6 exhaust emissions standard compliance for the One and Cooper models, and using a different clutch material and improved software to reduce stalling problems. They went on sale from November 2012.
A Cooper ALL4 model was added in July 2013.
Changes to US 2014 model year range included the omission of the interior "Centre Rail" feature from the back seats. The rail is still present in the front.
Countryman John Cooper Works (2012–2016)
The John Cooper Works is a derivative of the Cooper S ALL4 version of the Countryman, with increased engine power to and with over boost:. Steering, suspension, wheels and appearance have also been modified. It was unveiled at the 2012 International Geneva Motor Show, and went on sale in autumn 2012.US models receive reduced engine power to and , and went on sale in July 2012 as a 2013 model year vehicle.
Safety
In November 2010, Euro NCAP awarded the Countryman a 5-star crash rating.Reception
winning automotive journalist Dan Neil suggested the Countryman had jumped the shark - that is to say the car pushed the Mini ethos beyond relevance, marking the zenith of popularity and the start of decline. Neil suggested that by making a vehicle that is longer, wider and taller, the company had forsaken the inner logic of the brand: excellent handling in a tiny size. In a March 2011 review titled What Part of 'Mini' Did You Not Grasp, BMW? , Neil wrote "with the Countryman, tiny sharks have been jumped."The Countryman became Mini's second most popular model after the iconic Hardtop. The very first year of production it sold almost 50% more units than the Clubman, Convertible, and Coupe added together. Almost 1 out of every 3 vehicles Mini sold in the US in 2011 was a Countryman.
This trend continued through 2012 also with almost 1 in 3 MINIs sold again being a Countryman - both in the US and globally.
By the end of 2013 the Countryman was 31% of total U.S. sales for the Mini brand.
2014 update (R60 LCI)
A minor facelift to the Countryman was unveiled at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. Changes include a new structure of the hexagonal radiator grill, underride guard elements for the Cooper S Countryman ALL4 and additional body colour options. It went on sale in July 2014. All variants carried over. US variants include Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper S ALL4, John Cooper Works, with 6-speed manual transmission or optional 6-speed automatic transmission.Powertrain
| Model | Years | Type | Power, torque at rpm | Transmission |
| One | 2010–2016 | I4 | at 6,000, at 3,000 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
| Cooper | 2010–2016 | I4 | at 6,000, at 4,250 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
| Cooper ALL4 | 2010–2016 | I4 | at 6,000, at 4,250 | 6-speed manual |
| Cooper ALL4 Automatic | 2010–2016 | I4 | at 6,000, at 4,250 | 6-speed automatic |
| Cooper S | 2010–2014 | I4 turbo | at 5,500, at 1,600-5,000 overboost: at 1,700-4,500 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
| Cooper S | 2014–2016 | I4 turbo | at 5,500, at 1,600-5,000 overboost: at 1,700-4,500 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
| Cooper S ALL4 | 2010–2014 | I4 turbo | at 5,500, at 1,600-5,000 overboost: at 1700–4,500 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
| Cooper S ALL4 | 2014–2016 | I4 turbo | at 5,500, at 1,600-5,000 overboost: at 1,700-4,500 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
| John Cooper Works | 2012–2016 | I4 twin-scroll turbo | at 6,000, at 1,850-5,600 overboost: at 2,000-5,200 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
| John Cooper Works | 2014–2016 | I4 twin-scroll turbo | at 6,000, at 1,900-5,000 overboost: at 2,100-4,500 | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
Second generation (F60; 2016)
The second generation Countryman was introduced at the LA Auto Show in November 2016 and went on sale in February 2017 in Europe, and March elsewhere. It was launched with three variants: Cooper, Cooper S, and in June 2017, the new Cooper S E ALL4 plug-in hybrid. The new Countryman is longer than the first generation, and wider. The Cooper Countryman is powered by a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S uses a 2.0-litre turbo I4.The Cooper S E plug-in hybrid combines a 134 hp 3-cylinder petrol engine and a synchronous electric motor, producing a combined system output of 221 hp with system torque of 385 N·m. Average fuel consumption on the NEDC test cycle is, with emissions of 49 grams per kilometer. The 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery is positioned directly in front of the electric motor underneath the rear seat, delivering an all-electric range of up to and a top speed of. Charging at a 240-volt socket takes 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Mini makes the John Cooper Works edition available again in this generation with the tuned version based on the Cooper S. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine has been upgraded with a new heat-resistant turbocharger and additional inter-cooler, resulting in, of torque and a 0-62 mph time of 6.5 seconds. Similar to the Countryman S, JCW Countryman can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. United States EPA-tested fuel economy for the JCW under manual transmission is for city and for highway which the automatic does slightly better with for city and for highway.
In summer 2019, Mini launched an updated version of the Countryman JCW, unofficially known as Countryman JCW 306. This is thanks to the now increased output of which now gives the vehicle a 0-62 mph time of 5.1 seconds.
2020 update (F60 LCI)
The Countryman received a facelift in 2020, with a sportier look, adding switchback LED DRLs/blinkers, new taillights to represent the British flag, and a new interior. It receives redone 18-inch alloy wheels, revised grille, and revised front and rear bumpers.Powertrain
| Model | Years | Type | Power, torque at rpm | Transmission |
| One D | 2017-2023 | I3 turbo | 85 kW, 270 Nm | 6-speed manual, 7-speed DCT |
| Cooper D | 2017–2023 | I4 turbo | , | 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic |
| Cooper D ALL4 | 2017–2023 | I4 turbo | , | 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic |
| Cooper SD | 2017–2023 | I4 turbo | , | 8-speed automatic |
| Cooper SD ALL4 | 2017–2023 | I4 turbo | , | 8-speed automatic |
Safety
In May 2017, Euro NCAP awarded the Countryman a 5-star crash rating.Third generation (U25; 2023)
The third-generation Countryman was officially unveiled on 1 September 2023, featuring both battery electric and internal combustion powertrains, as well as similar styling cues to the all-electric Cooper, with four trim levels available: Essential, Classic, Favoured and JCW. Production commenced in November 2023 for the ICE-versions, with the electric Countryman followed at a later date.The John Cooper Works Countryman version comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and the ALL4 all-wheel drive system.