As promised here are the first moving pictures of MINI’s latest model, the Countryman. We managed to get our hands on the video a day or so early but in lower quality. We’ll have a the hi-res likely tomorrow. Until then enjoy the best look yet at the R60.
<p>Ok, seeing it on the road with a driver puts the size of MINI Countryman in slightly better perspective; It is looking rather small/MINI, which is a question partially answered for me.</p>
<p>The interior (lower) stack seems to me to be a very nice blend of what worked in the R50/53 and the R56.</p>
<p>The mostly-aluminum center rail doesn’t work for me as it appears in the photos. If it were trimmed or clad in leather, somehow, to hide the now glaringly utilitarian nature of the rail I think I’d accept it. But as it sits, it looks obtuse, removable and, frankly, a bit hard to keep clean and free of nicks and scratches. Nit picking, I realize.</p>
<p>The bulbous rear taillights look more of a regulation necessity than a design element, based on both their position and the curvature of the rear hatch. Seeing it in person will help resolve this, of course.</p>
<p>Moving to the front, the scuttle position doesn’t work for me. Something about the scuttle location, relative to the A pillar, breaks up the profile of the MINI for me, and makes what is visible of the hood at profile appear to be proportionately diminished (not a plus, as the hood has always been my favorite element of MINI design).</p>
<p>Clearly, MINI has been answering customers’ demand for black trim and black wheels. However, the black wheels used here, as others have noted, do little to fill up the wheel wells. Or, are the flares yet larger than those on the R56?.</p>
<p>Finally, if I were to boil down my objections to one, in the context of MINI design, I’m growing a bit heart broken over the shape of the new headlight cluster; I will miss the round Mini design, and am crossing fingers that this isn’t a hint at the hardtop’s future headlight design.</p>
<p>Phew, that’s it. No more posts on the Countryman (Outback killer), and apologies for taking up so much space.</p>
<p>There is a definite sweep of the bottom side lip that is apparent on all current BMWs. Almost laughed outright at the body roll but agreed not bad for a SUV.</p>
<p>I actually look forward to seeing one in public so I can foster the feeling of about half the Mini community by making sure to give each one I see a proper British sneer along with a two-finger salute lol.</p>
<blockquote>I’m growing a bit heart broken over the shape of the new headlight cluster; I will miss the round Mini design, and am crossing fingers that this isn’t a hint at the hardtop’s future headlight design.
</blockquote>
<p>i’ve always felt the headlights on the countryman were a little suspect, but on such a bulky car i think they work. i agree i wouldn’t want them on the hatch, but i like them here.</p>
<p>I am just hoping that hood line doesn’t show the path towards the next generation. While not horrible on the SUV way to upright to feel right on the coupe.</p>
<p>Weird. It looks really claustrophobic to me. Maybe it is the b pillar. I agree with the wheels. Maybe it is just the black on black.</p>
<p>Over all:
Likey!</p>
<p>Check out the official MINI Countryman Page on Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mini.countryman" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.facebook.com/mini.countryman</a></p>
<p>Ok, seeing it on the road with a driver puts the size of MINI Countryman in slightly better perspective; It is looking rather small/MINI, which is a question partially answered for me.</p>
<p>The interior (lower) stack seems to me to be a very nice blend of what worked in the R50/53 and the R56.</p>
<p>The mostly-aluminum center rail doesn’t work for me as it appears in the photos. If it were trimmed or clad in leather, somehow, to hide the now glaringly utilitarian nature of the rail I think I’d accept it. But as it sits, it looks obtuse, removable and, frankly, a bit hard to keep clean and free of nicks and scratches. Nit picking, I realize.</p>
<p>The bulbous rear taillights look more of a regulation necessity than a design element, based on both their position and the curvature of the rear hatch. Seeing it in person will help resolve this, of course.</p>
<p>Moving to the front, the scuttle position doesn’t work for me. Something about the scuttle location, relative to the A pillar, breaks up the profile of the MINI for me, and makes what is visible of the hood at profile appear to be proportionately diminished (not a plus, as the hood has always been my favorite element of MINI design).</p>
<p>Clearly, MINI has been answering customers’ demand for black trim and black wheels. However, the black wheels used here, as others have noted, do little to fill up the wheel wells. Or, are the flares yet larger than those on the R56?.</p>
<p>Finally, if I were to boil down my objections to one, in the context of MINI design, I’m growing a bit heart broken over the shape of the new headlight cluster; I will miss the round Mini design, and am crossing fingers that this isn’t a hint at the hardtop’s future headlight design.</p>
<p>Phew, that’s it. No more posts on the Countryman (Outback killer), and apologies for taking up so much space.</p>
<p>Negative: I still can’t get over that face with the downturned mouth. Those wheel arches on the front are huge.</p>
<p>Positive: At least it doesn’t have any BMW crease lines or inverted flame surfacing.</p>
<p>Body roll: Not bad for an SUV/CUV, not good for a MINI.</p>
<p>There is a definite sweep of the bottom side lip that is apparent on all current BMWs. Almost laughed outright at the body roll but agreed not bad for a SUV.</p>
<p>I actually look forward to seeing one in public so I can foster the feeling of about half the Mini community by making sure to give each one I see a proper British sneer along with a two-finger salute lol.</p>
<blockquote>I’m growing a bit heart broken over the shape of the new headlight cluster; I will miss the round Mini design, and am crossing fingers that this isn’t a hint at the hardtop’s future headlight design.
</blockquote>
<p>i’ve always felt the headlights on the countryman were a little suspect, but on such a bulky car i think they work. i agree i wouldn’t want them on the hatch, but i like them here.</p>
<p>I am just hoping that hood line doesn’t show the path towards the next generation. While not horrible on the SUV way to upright to feel right on the coupe.</p>
<p>and yet not nearly as upright as the original mini</p>
<p>Where was this filmed?</p>
<p>Yet three feet shorter and true to Sir Alec’s vision versus Germans using his vision as a puppet on strings Lav.</p>
<p>Can’t wait to see the weight on the awd R60 any bets on 3k lol, MINI my …. lol</p>
<p>Why does MINI not put the model name on the cars? Everything is either Cooper or Cooper S. Why can’t the put Clubman and Countryman!</p>
<p>I still have some reservations about the Countryman, like the monstrous body roll, but it appears properly zippy for a MINI.</p>
<p>I thought the same thing about the body roll when I saw it but the X5 keeps my hopes up for this.</p>
<p>There’s already an official Facebook Page for the Countryman: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mini.countryman" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.facebook.com/mini.countryman</a></p>
<p>Well at stock ride height as in the vid – it’s no Dragon-slayer…</p>
<p>Filmed in Spain.</p>