Comments on: MINI USA Product Manager Vinnie Kung Answers Your Questions About the Countryman

By: Gabe

Gabe — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:41:21 +0000

Thanks everyone. We’ve turned off questions and will begin the process of choosing which ones we present to Vinnie in our interview. Look for the answers next week!

By: Melis

Melis — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:19:36 +0000

Last question… 10. How will the standard suspension and lowered Sport Suspension compare to the versions on the Cooper and Clubman? Will it be softer since the Countryman is a SUV? Hopefully not too soft.

By: Melis

Melis — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:00:11 +0000

Things I forgot… 6. Will you offer body color (non-chrome) lower grille and license plate surrounds for the Cooper. 7. Can we get a simple naming scheme, and ‘Countryman’ lettering on the R60 boot. This isn’t a Cooper, and a naming system like the “BMW Z4 S-Drive 35is M Sport” is too much of a mouthful. No MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 please, just “Countryman S.” 8. Anthracite ceilings option? 9. Black option for vent and speedo? It looks like mickey mouse ears, sorry!

By: Melis

Melis — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:25:36 +0000

Is there a difference between the ALL4 setup on the Cooper versus the S?
Are there any differences in the ALL4 system mated to a manual or autobox?
There is a cargo separator behind the rear seats...Is that removable or is there a passthrough for long items such as snowboards between the rear seats without having to make it a 3 seater.
Can the rear seats have their seatback angle adjusted or slid forward to make the trunk bigger?
Will the US R60 be getting start / stop, regen braking, or any of the MINIMALISM stuff from the EU cars?

By: lavardera

lavardera — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:22:48 +0000

Motoring File has discussed a future 4 dr car based on the R60 platform, but not a cross-over – a car. I realize you can not reveal any detail about this, but a basic question: Will this be all new sheetmetal, or simple a lower, road going version of the 4dr hatch vehicle we see here?

By: Sideways Eh!

Sideways Eh! — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:31:50 +0000

1)What percentage of market segment do they plan on slaying with this MINI?

2)How big of an impact does MINI predict this SAV will create in the Cute-Ute world? Do they think it will revolutionize the segment(ie. the Hatch) or do they think it will create a whole new beast altogether?

3)In a previous article, the name "Countryman" isn't going to be available in ALL markets. For the markets where "Countryman" is not available, what are you going to call it? And what markets are those?

4)What is the level of customization going to be from factory? MINI has always been good at offering Youification - a term they coined! Will I be able to order a Countryman with different packages for different vehicle usage settings? (ie. towing pkg / long distance cruising pkg / commuter pkg / prodrive pkg / etc.)

5)Why March?

Thats it for now...

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:27:17 +0000

Ditto to Bentyyc

Can you fit a golf bagin the back full of clubs without folding the back seats down? Very interested in rear storage, and finding out about the bench seat option

By: Craig J

Craig J — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:40:04 +0000

Will the Countryman be available with bonnet stripes?

Have not seen any pics that show stripes.

Thanks.

By: John

John — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:44:20 +0000

I would like a diesel(USA) version of this vehicle. I can’t seem to get beyond what I see as a serious design flaw. This vehicle looks top heavy/ out of balance. The wheel/tire to body ratio is anemic. It needs more rubber in the wheel well. Will there be options to solve this?

By: Don Hopings

Don Hopings — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:33:36 +0000

I know that BMW was searching for a way to enter the premium small car market when it bought Rover, but it seems that the entire MINI lineup (and now with the Countryman) has allowed BMW to do some unusual, daring and creative things that maybe they couldn’t do within the traditional BMW lineup. For example, I don’t think we would see the interior rail from the Countryman or the asymmetrical half-door of the Clubman in a Series BMW. Was this also part of the thinking behind the MINI brand?

By: Don Hopings

Don Hopings — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:24:42 +0000

Do you expect that more Countryman buyers will come from current MINI ranks or are you looking to customers currently outside of the MINI family?

By: Don Hopings

Don Hopings — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:22:26 +0000

The Countryman could easily be turned into a Panel Delivery vehicle (like the classic Minis) by using solid panels for the rear side glass and making the body shell a 2-door. Any consideration to this?

By: Don Hopings

Don Hopings — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:16:34 +0000

As the Countryman is supposed to be an Activity Vehicle, how about a bit more Towing Capacity?

By: Don Hopings

Don Hopings — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:10:16 +0000

A performance diesel would seem to be a natural for the Countryman with AWD. Is this a possibility?

By: Mini Monger

Mini Monger — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:22:22 +0000

High on the list would be a 3 rear seat option. At the very least, a rail mounted rear child seat would solve part of that issue.

I am really hoping for a rear hitch for light towing or accessory mounting. I was hoping for a small flip down rear ledge like ala Volvo XC90 which provides a handy seat to put on snow gear without getting dirty from the bumper.

I'd like to see roof rails capable of 200+ lbs. Make this railing system easy to configure.

Improved navigation and in-car web browsing. Sprint, Verizon, and Clear offer a usb stick receiver. Why not offer a USB port that interfaces with this to provide internet connectivity?

Will someone at MINI please add a solid sunroof screen as an option? Also, bring BMW's heated steering wheel over to the Mini.

By: Matt Richter

Matt Richter — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:25:08 +0000

I think LATCH is a requirement in all new cars.

Matt

By: MiniB

MiniB — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:37:27 +0000

Can I get the bold concept front grill as an option?

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:30:22 +0000

What is the towing capacity and will it come with a tow package?

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:07:00 +0000

Will LATCH be present for the rear seats? I have a growing family.

By: Aurel Savin

Aurel Savin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:15:16 +0000

I'd like to find out about the future of the Clubman as well once this hits the market.

And the bench / 3 rear seat option. Why does the US always get the shaft? Surely the design team knows about the regulations before going for the initial build, especially on a new platform such as this.