CloseJan 21, 2010 12:21:34 PM
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011-mini-countryman-15.jpg
What do you guys think? I like it, nicer than the X1 and finally a 4 door mini. But I wish they kept the oval headlights, would maintain the brand identity better.
http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/01/21/mini-countryman-u-s-press-release/
Jan 21, 2010 1:29:20 PM
Variable space thanks to individual rear seats moving fore-and-aft.
The MINI Countryman comes with new, special seats specific to this particular model. Sports seats are featured as standard on the MINI Cooper S Countryman, and sports seats in two different combinations of cloth and leather as well as various choices of all-leather finish are available optionally on all model variants. A particular highlight is the Lounge seats boasting the very best leather reminiscent of classy leather seats with piping all round in a classic British car. The single seats featured as standard at the rear move fore-and-aft 130 millimetres or 5.1" independently of one another. The rear seat bench with three seats extending from one side to the other and available at not extra cost likewise boasts this function, with the adjusting seat segments coming in a 60 : 40 split.
Even with the seats in their standard position, the MINI Countryman is able to accommodate a pram, for example, in its luggage compartment - and to meet additional transport requirements, the rear seat backrests may be moved to a cargo position increasing luggage space from 350 to 440 litres (12.2-15.4 cubic feet).
The rear seat backrests moving down both in part or in full also help to provide flexible space at the rear, with the backrests on the three-seat bench coming in a 40 : 20 : 40 split. This enables the driver and his passengers to increase their luggage capacity all the way to 1,170 litres or 41.0 cubic feet, enough for two mountain bikes with their front wheels removed.
A roof carrier system is available as an option supplementing the roof railing featured as standard and may be prepared for fitting straight at the factory.
MINI Center Rail: Unique storage concept with a wide range of customisation options.
Instead of a conventional centre console between the seats, the MINI Countryman comes with an innovative rail system, the unique MINI Center Rail enabling the driver and passengers to keep their personal belongings and odds and ends exactly where they need them at any point in time. At the same time the MINI Center Rail forms a visual and functional connection between the front and rear seats.
Whenever the MINI Countryman is fitted with single seats at the rear, the Center Rail configured as a U-profile extends through the entire passenger compartment all the way to the rear seat backrests. On models fitted with a three-seat rear bench, in turn, the MINI Center Rail ends at the backrests of the front seats.
racerx:
I don't know about class distinctions, but the best SUV for function, value, and exterior looks is the good ol JEEP (for luxury RR, for performance X6M)
This type of small size/engine crossover SUVs are popular in many countries now (maybe not in the US yet). They are used mainly in cities and short trips. Many of them are bought with 2WD only in areas without snow or too heavy winters. Even 4WD ones are used for mild off-road situations only.
The Nissan Quashqai and the VW Tiguan are very popular. BMW's X1 is this class too.
Jan 21, 2010 5:58:36 PM
Pentium:
I love it! Does it come with a new pair of kidneys too?
That's a stiff ride people!
Are you referring to the Jeep, Mini, or Skoda.?
I had a 2 door Jeep like this IN LA on vacation with the same tires and lift kit. Those tires absorbed all the bumps and gave great cornering stability, I had a blast driving it. not fast though.
Jan 21, 2010 6:46:21 PM
reginos:
My favourite in this class is the Skoda Yeti.
--
It's not where you're going, it's how you get there that counts
+1. Cool little market niche these guys found. Has german build quality and subaru-like outdoor image.
indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine.. I happen to like both :)
_____________________________________________________________________
1984 BMW 323i 5spd 2.3L 141 hp (105 kW) More door. Black on black (parting out)
1986 BMW 325e 5spd 2.7L 121 hp (172 lb·ft) Le Mans Blau on Tan leather.
1986 BMW 325is 5spd 2.5L 168 hp (164 lb-ft) White on Tan leather (parted out)
2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd 2.0L 136 hp (120lb-ft) CD silver on grey (sold)
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd 2.5L 150 hp (168lb-ft) champagne gold on grown leather. (sold)
Sorry, I love the concept and was looking forward to this but the looks 
Wheels are unproportionally small (can be changed). Otherwise, it generally seems a bit too convoluted; small window in the back don't flow / fit and look like add-ons, the front end is too busy (the darker one is better). I realize that it is a challenge to make an AWD, utility vehicle out of the Mini, but It just looks like they tried too hard to make it hip.
As I said, it's a great concept for an urban everyday vehicle, but the execution 
Maybe when I see it in person... 
Slow In, Fast Out
Jan 21, 2010 8:02:46 PM
Jan 22, 2010 4:01:04 PM
Mmmm....... I'm not keen I have to say based upon these initial shots. It may look better in the metal but I think the design team are really stretching the credibility of the original design language with it. They're trying to outdo Porsche's attempt to graft the 996 face onto the original Cayenne IMHO with this design.
I've been looking for a more practical daily run around and have had a couple of extended test drives of the BMW X1 in all wheel drive form in both X20 and X23 variants. I have to say that's a great car and think BMW have hit the mark perfectly with it. It's easy to park, offers good interior space, has plenty of punch for normal daily driving (the twin turbo X23 version is pretty rapid) and has decent fuel economy.... well at least to my wallet which is used to V8 performance engines that suck fuel up like there's no tomorrow 
I'd read a lot of road tests that said the engines were noisy and the ride was harsh. I don't know what cars those journalists drove but both examples I tested were very smooth, quiet and comfortable. The biggest culprit for noise at fairly high cruising speeds were the huge door mirrors required to meet the latest stupid EU visibility rules.
On balance I'd rather have this.
Jan 23, 2010 1:08:01 AM
+1 on the X1. beautiful urban cruiser. It no longer looks like a cheap SUV with plastic bumpers but rather a spacious sporty hatch! I agree 100% it's a solid efford!
indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine.. I happen to like both :)
_____________________________________________________________________
1984 BMW 323i 5spd 2.3L 141 hp (105 kW) More door. Black on black (parting out)
1986 BMW 325e 5spd 2.7L 121 hp (172 lb·ft) Le Mans Blau on Tan leather.
1986 BMW 325is 5spd 2.5L 168 hp (164 lb-ft) White on Tan leather (parted out)
2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd 2.0L 136 hp (120lb-ft) CD silver on grey (sold)
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd 2.5L 150 hp (168lb-ft) champagne gold on grown leather. (sold)
I own two Mini Cooper, one S for city driving and the One for my business as some sort of delivery car. I like them, they're spacious in the inside and they aren't slow at all.
I might consider the Countryman S as a replacement for the Cooper S. 4WD and a higher chassis can't be bad for bavarian winters.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Jan 23, 2010 3:10:22 PM
DaveGordon:
Looks bloody awful if you ask me - all sorts of different styling cues, and the ride-height doesn't suit it..
If it's not " jacked up" , what credibilty does it have as a winter/mountain/ski vehicle , as many of these "cute utes" are sold as ?
I'm thinking of one for my teenaged daughter
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