MINI to Launch Special JCW Countryman Performance Model
Over the next few years MINI will focus on performance. The speedster and the coupe will lead the way with light body shells and some unique performance options. However MINI will look to extend this new drive towards performance vehicles with one if not two new models of the Countryman crossover vehicle.
As we’ve reported Countryman crossover vehicle will be launched initially in Cooper and Cooper S. Up to two different diesel models will follow shortly afterwards. Then sources are telling us that the Countryman will get a JCW model with the current JCW powerplant.
However there are rumors of a more focused and even stripped down performance version featuring the award winning BMW 2.0L diesel powerplant. In current BMW trim, this engine delivers an astonishing 295 lb ft of torque and 204 hp.
Styling will feature a distinctive aero-kit (with wider arches) and 18″ X spoke wheels. Like the current JCW aero-kit, look for a blacked-out grille with a larger airscoop.
According to sources, current thinking is that the interior would sport four individual buckets and unique interior trim. Of course exclusive exterior and interior colors will be part of the package.
The one big unknown at this point is whether the car will feature the traditional front wheel drive or the new all-wheel drive system that will be optional on other Countryman models. Oh and then there’s the US availability question considering the diesel powerplant. We’ll know more in the coming months.
Several sources helped with this reporting including the infamous Scott27 on GCZ
<p>Well going to be happy that we might finally see a diesel here. Still would prefer the Mini D to a performance crossover diesel personally, personally when I think diesel I think of the economy effect versus the performance (although diesels can be quite powerful).</p>
<p>Maybe MINI is finally have SUV’s on the Dragon ;)</p>
<p>No real surprise since BMW has been rushing forward with tacking M onto all their SUV’s. Just wonder how many performance oriented drivers out there are wanting a 4 door, 4 wheel drive performance car. Little Jimmy will never be late for practice ever again ;)</p>
<p>we can only hope…</p>
<p>although, i’m curious how much this ride will cost in 2011-12 MINI dollars…</p>
<p>Calling the Countryman a SUV–and dinging the people who are going to line up to buy it–is unfair and unncessarily negative.</p>
<p>With money tight, people want a new car to do multiple things. The era when Dad had a speedster in the garage, covered in a tarp, that he took out on the weekends… that’s not realistic for a lot of people. So, a family tries to get a car to cover a lot of bases. What is wrong with that?</p>
<p>A sporty, all-weather car that can handle the snow… Audi made a brand off of that. I don’t see why MINI is wrong to try it with one car.</p>
<p>And how does raising a small car slightly, and giving it AWD, make it an SUV? By that reasoning, the Escalade is an 18-wheeler.</p>
<p>It’s not like MINI is putting a gas-guzzling V8 engine into this thing. The car will likely get similarly good mileage. There just isn’t enough evidence that this car will have any of the negative qualities of an SUV.</p>
<p>If this car isn’t attractive to a purist hardtop driver, that is totally understandable. I’m not even saying I would buy one. But step back and see how Porsche owners responded to the Cayenne–a real SUV, with real SUV drawbacks–and see how silly it is to do that with this.</p>
<p>Anyone who chooses a MINI, over every other car out there, has some interesting personal qualities, whatever model it is.</p>
<p>But I understand, negativity is fun to spread on the Internet.</p>
<p>To Doug: Ditto on everything you stated. Especially to the last sentence…</p>
<p>Honest discussion versus Fanbois (I know which one I prefer). Mini does a lot right and makes errors, discussing the negative about the brand has as much value as talking about the positives (such in this story the fact the US could likely finally see a Mini diesel).</p>
<p>Oh well</p>
<p>Can I get it in that color?</p>
<p>this world would be a boring place if everything was the same, variety is the spice of life and MINI lives up to providing that with such diversity and fun along the way.</p>
<p>peace and love, peace and love
cheers
wavydavy</p>
<p>Personally I am ready and willing for an AWD performance model from the BMW group that is NOT huge, this fits that bill.</p>
<p>I am in the market for a winter/rain vehicle as the ///M3 is just not happy when it sees snow/rain nor do I want it to get cold! I have been contemplating a used E91 w/ xDrive, a VW R or an older school Audi but if MINI were to supply us with a vehicle that was similar I would be all for it…. Money is not as free flowing as it used to be so “downsizing” with performance in my opinion is not a bad thing. While the R60 may be “big” for a MINI it is still small compared to everything else out there, and there is a market for that- my one concern is with the interior, if I am going to pay money for a near luxury interior MINI better deliver.</p>
<p>In all honesty I am even considering a Subaru…</p>
<p>The hope of an AWD diesel is keeping me in my R32. The current deal on BMW 335td’s make it very tempting ($4,500 BMW discount), but I really want AWD. The forthcoming Golf TDI also sounds nice, but again, no AWD. The Jetta Sedan and SportWagen also are nice, but you can’t really configure them with your desired items, only a few options. And again, no AWD.</p>
<p>Before folks point out the Touareg TDI, it’s HUGE. But it does have AWD ! I’m pretty sure, though, that I simply do not want a vehicle that big. But it is a possibility, as would be a used ML diesel.</p>
<p>I, too, like the previous poster, am a Subaru fan – depending upon what they look like in their newest iteration, who knows!</p>
<p>I drive a R56-s auto that my sons gave me for my 70th birthday and I have a GM SUV awd that I need to replace with an R60 AWD PERFORMANCE MODEL but I need an auto trans (bad hips) If an auto is not made available then my next car will be VW R20
The R56 I will never sell</p>
<p>I bought an ’01 Forester precisely because it wasn’t an SUV. Despite what Subaru says it’s a CAR with awd and extra ground clearance. Perhaps MINI has picked up that flag with the R60. Snow car, fuel mileage, character and affordable for most of us who need to do more for less. I’m keeping the Forester, but eventually will buy an MC for the fun of it.</p>
<p>Micheal I can see where your coming from. Guess the best way to explain my personal view to you would be to say as you are a M3 owner imagine this.</p>
<p>BMW is well known for making luxury oriented RWD vehicles. The idea of a Performance Mini R60 is about the same as a FWD entry level city car with a roundel on it to me. It’s not that the R60 is a bad vehicle, I am all for smaller foot print vehicles and think this has a good place on the road. Rather its just the wrong fit for the brand in my small world view. It goes against so much what has made the brand truly different than the rest of the industry out there for me.</p>
<p>JonPD, you’re just seeing it from the Coupe world up. not the current AWD vechicle offerings on down. for Mini to be viable in the long term and keep prices at a point where we all don’t just cross-shop a huge offering of cars because Minis are becoming too expesnive, they have to get the unit production numbers up. Don’t really know if the R60 does that because of the number of distinct parts, but it sure is a lot smaller than our MDX and lots and lots of other AWD offerings out there.</p>
<p>But doing the R60 with all three gas engine vairents here just makes sense, and all three engines are already in the can and OK for US sales. I’m scared to think of what the JCW will cost though. Seems price creep is happening more than size creep!</p>
<p>Don’t hold your breath for the 2.0l diesel here in the US though. But if it does come, I hope it’s in the 1 series 5 door hatch!</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>The last I heard, MINI was not interrested in bringing a diesel to the U.S. I hope I’m wrong about that. I have already been looking at a VW Jetta TDI wagon, but would be willing to postpone a purchase to get a MINI diesel. I don’t really need 4WD so I hope we have an option.</p>
<p>All indications that a diesel is coming are unfounded. Too expensive. VW has cornered the market in this category. As for a premium SUV MINI, all you need to do is look to JCW Clubman and JCW convertibles to see how MINI pricing has gone to stratospheric levels, and I see SUV pricing heading north of that. The old BMW business model of moving upmarket just doesn’t make a lot of sense as the economy continues to sputter.</p>
<p>Why is every MINI model a Cooper Something? Why can’t the Clubman be the Clubman and the Countryman be the Countryman? Why do they have to be the Cooper Clubman and the Cooper Countryman? Yes, they’re all based on the same platform, but they’re different vehicles with different drivers in mind. What’s my Cooper S now? A MINI Nothing?</p>
<p>The first two sentences are interesting, can this be elaborated on ?</p>
<p>Are we talking thinner gauges of steel, plastic panels, carbon fibre, thinner glass, more aluminium suspension components ??</p>
<p>And if there is a rumour about a stripped out SUV/SAV (which I think is silly) then how about a stripped out coupe as well.</p>
<p>Blah Blah blah its all I see from MiniUSA, I want a Mini with A Diesel engine and the guys from across the pond only get them. THAT SUCKS!! Like Cliff above the VW TDi is a great vehicle and I test drove the Wagen, Mini has a lot to catch up w VW. My 02 MCS is 7 yrs old and 115K and still crank my baby in triple digits 3 weeks ago i cranked her to 130 mph SWEEET!!!
I will try the Countryman in DIESEL form, but down here in the Island of Puerto Rico they tax us out , imagine paying $4k for taxes and $4k for dealer mark up, Trust me I have called MiniUSA and BMW and all they say is that the dealer SUGGEST their price so much for MSRP down here and we PUERTORICANS are so GULLIBLE that they pay for the shit!!!!</p>
<p>I hope MINI decides to bring the DIESELS here I am clinging to little HOPE down here. :(</p>
<p>Any idea what we’re looking at in terms of availability? What about the off-again, on-again R60 JCW? Will it be available at (US) launch?</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-265885" rel="nofollow">Doug</a>:</p>
<p>Here is the problem Dough… The R60 is an overpriced, underwhelming, 4 seater vehicle with limited practicality in despite of its greater size and heft.</p>
<p>Bingo! Germany lives in an alternate reality oblivious as to what happens in the rest of the world…</p>
<p>Wow, while I understand the context… that’s a pretty broad statement to make and I know a few Germans who might disagree ;-)</p>
<blockquote><p>“Here is the problem Dough… The R60 is an overpriced, underwhelming, 4 seater vehicle with limited practicality in despite of its greater size and heft.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Have you seen one? Have you driven one? Have you seen the price on one?</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-266053" rel="nofollow">Larry T.</a>: Way to call him on that one. The constant stream of comments from Frank/C4 are so laughable and ridiculous in their negativity sometimes I can’t help but laugh at them. If you could see the back-end of the site and see all his comments listed out in a row you’d have a hard time not thinking he’s not some kind of spam-bot.</p>
<p>Hey Gabe, those of us in this alternate reality are wondering if there are plans to offer the JCW R60 at launch or if it’s still a couple of years off?</p>
<p>Change that, what I meant to ask was… how long after launch can we expect the JCW R60 to be released?</p>
<p>I am betting that they will introduce the JCW R60 shortly (about 6 months to a year) after the initial car becomes available. Seems to be the way they have handled the JCW to this point. What should be interesting is to see if they are going to offer it in both the kit and factory builds. If so I would imagine 6 months to the kit and a year to the factory R60 JCW</p>