MINI Countryman’s Weight Revealed
Here are the numbers many of us have been waiting for. Lets start with the most important number to the MINI community; weight. Using the DIN standard the Countryman S weighs in at 2,882 pounds. Using the slightly more conservative EU standard (with average vehicle specification and fuel load – similar the US DOT standard) the number goes up to 3,047. For reference with that same EU standard the stock Cooper S hatchback is 2,651 pounds. The Countryman Cooper squeaks in under the 1.5 ton mark at 2,937 lbs.
So MINI’s first four door crossover isn’t quite as heavy as some had feared. In fact on paper it’s one of the lightest four door crossovers in the world. But will it still handle like a MINI? Only time (and some extended drives) will tell. Stay tuned for that. In the meantime you can see the full rundown on stats below. (After the jump)
MINI Cooper S, Countryman (auto in brackets)
– Length / width / height (unladen) mm: 4,108 / 1,789 / 1,561

- Wheelbase in mm: 2595
– Turning circle in m: 11.6
– Fuel tank capacity in liters: about 47
– EU Curb weight in pounds: 3,047 (3,091)
– DIN load in pounds: 1034
– Allowable Towing capacity: braked (12%) / unbraked 1650 / 1100 (pounds)

- Trunk capacity l: 350 / 442 / 1,170
– Coefficient of drag: 0.36
MINI One & MINI Cooper Countryman (auto in brackets) 

– Length / width / height (unladen) mm: 4,097 / 1,789 / 1,561

- Wheelbase in mm: 2595 

– Turning circle in m: 11.6 

– Fuel tank capacity in liters: about 47 

– Curb weight according to EU in pounds: 2,937 (3,003) 

– DIN load in kg: 1034 


- Allowable Towing capacity: braked (12%) / unbraked 1650 / 1100 (pounds) 

– Trunk capacity l: 350 / 442 / 1,170 
- Coefficient of drag: 0.37
Courtsey of MINI via Bigblogg
<p>I must have missed it in all the press releases but have they released the fuel mileage in Europe and has anyone converted that to what it would be in US verses a Clubman or Clubman S?</p>
<p>Squeaks by is right. Even with AWD # not indicated the US model Cooper is anemic, ‘S’ will probably be just OK with 180 hp. Happy to be proven wrong on both counts. I’m expect the handling to be superior to all it’s competitors though. Thanks for the pics, but really, it’s just not like gazing fondly at a 53 or 56. Sorry.</p>
<p>Compare the weight to a VW GTI which I read in a car magazine yesterday was about 3130-3150 lbs it doesn’t hjave all wheel drive.</p>
<p>At 70.43 inches wide, it’s wider than some with 3 across seating in the rear. But I think the shape (not very box like) is what makes it hard to do.</p>
<p>Anyway, mod up the turbo engine and this will do pretty good for scoot for what it is.</p>
<p>Let the debates begin (or continue….). Biggest Mini Ever or Smallest CUV? Both? ;)</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>BMW = Bigger Motor Werks</p>
<p>MINI needs to go on a diet and lose some FAT.</p>
<p>I’m also guessing that these are just the 2WD models. But it is just a guess….</p>
<p>And C4, bigger motors DO work… But I guess that’s not the point you were making! ;)</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>Bigger Motor Works = Purveyors of overweight cars and trucks.</p>
<p>whatever happened to the company whose credo used to be “light, nimble, sleek and the ultimate driving machine”?</p>
<p>I like it. It’s still small and a new form factor unique to MINI. I’m personally looking forward to having a 2 MINI household.</p>
<p>So 300-400 lb heavier than an R53/R56 hatch. We can grant it a pass (barely but still a pass)… for reference the weight is less than a mazda3 (not that the mazda3 is a car to benchmark, mind you) or a VW GTI.</p>
<p>I do think the normally aspirated 1.6L will be tasked moving the Countryman but with a 6speed stick and unladen it should be reasonably sprightly and very frugal too so fun to drive (remember most jeep-type vehicles traditionally are not exactly high HP machines). Loaded up with 4 people and gear I think the vehicle will need the turbo motor to have any sort of “despatch”.</p>
<p>The c.g. of this car seems it would be much higher than the hatches/ R55 so I do wonder how sorted the handling will feel. BMW has done great things with the X series SUV/crossovers so positive precedent is there – I hope I am pleasantly surprised when I test drive one of these.</p>
<p>However, the turning circle is simply brutal… the R53 / R56 hatches have fairly poor ones to begin with (10.7m) but this thing will require an extra metre… that’s a clear strike against in-city cut and thrust I’m afraid.</p>
<p>Incidentally, is the Countryman S weight (3047 lb) for the ALL4 model?</p>
<p>I can’t wait to see the apologists coming out in droves when future MINIs exceed the 3,500 and 4,000 pound thresholds.</p>
<p>MINI is becoming a porker just like the vast majority of present day BMWs are…</p>
p>@C4</p
<p>Well for one this is MINI and not BMW….go type <a href="http://www.bimmerfile.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.bimmerfile.com</a> in your address bar.</p>
<p>But Yeah I see where you are coming from….I mean MINI should just be a starter car right. It should just be a brand you leave and never return to once you have kids, or heaven forbid a need for utility, like maybe to haul some mulch home from lowes. It should be a one dimensional, one act brand that just sells to one demographic. right…</p>
<p>Last I checked, MINI is a BMW Group brand my dear dr.</p>
<p>Going by your twisted logic, MINI should enter the business of making semis, coaches, pick up trucks, etc because, oh heaven forbid, MINI should never stray from being all things to everyone….</p>
<p>And outgrowing a car like the MINI is part of life. If you choose to have a family, the MINI will still be a very limited vehicle and this includes the Countryman. The idea that MINI has to grow with a certain market demographic is beyond delusional. What’s next, a MINI minivan?</p>
<p>@ C4 – I agree wholeheartedly with your pointed acronym unpacking for BMW. :)</p>
<p>The days of BMW sport sedans being (comparatively) light and lithe seem to be well behind the company. The current 7series is very nearly 5000 (!) lb. Yes, that is MORE than some Detroit-make full size body-on-frame pickup trucks and SUVs. Shall we grant the 7 an exception because it is used most often as a VIP limo? OK, but I regret to inform everyone that the current 5series has also crossed the 4000lb Rubicon.</p>
<p>Funny thing is, I remember seeing press releases here / BimmerFile and elsewhere on the web saying BMW would be “lightweighting” its future models… not sure when we’ll actually see this rumoured “lightweighting”… perhaps the 2012 next-gen MINI and 1series?</p>
<p>And I might add that the NA 1.6L Prince engine is going to feel burdened and overtaxed powering this thing. Unless they have made changes to the gear ratios (in both auto and manual) I see the std version having a hard time coping with the extra weight.</p>
<p>I have driven a NA Cooper Clubman and the NA Prince in that car already feels at the limit of driveability.</p>
<p>So if they want to “oink, oink” the MINI, they are going to have to consider increasing the cc’s to 1800-2000…</p>
<p>I have a normally aspirated R56 Cooper and I think it will do just fine in the Countryman. My R56 has plenty of zip, even with another adult and the rear seats folded down and packed with so much stuff you can’t see out the back; at least 3-400 lbs more.</p>
<p>I’ve seen some posts that say the countryman is a disaster for the NA MC, but also suggest mini should send the Mini One over. From a HP/weight standpoint the arguments are contradictory.</p>
<p>Good news about the weight, given the increase in size and functionality. I’m looking forward to upgrading to the MC countryman in the future!!</p>
<p>It isn’t the same adding 300-400 pounds of passenger/cargo to your std R56 MINI and doing the same on top of the extra 300-400 pounds the R60 already has!</p>
<p>The Golf R weighs in at 3225lbs conservative-EU-style, but has <b>270hp</b> and should have a much sharper chassis. Will likely arrive about the same time in the US and could come in cheaper then a “comparably equipped” Countryman S.</p>
<p>Countryman S is only 200 lbs more than a Clubman S without using exotic material/construction. Let’s be fair.</p>
<p>The Golf is indeed looking better by the day. This car has re-entered my radar screen after the 2010 model year facelift. Now looks more “German” than “Corolletta” (Read: Toyota)</p>
<p>The Golf R has seating for 5, 5 doors and probably much better handling than the R60. Good call.</p>
<blockquote>Last I checked, MINI is a BMW Group brand my dear dr.</blockquote>
<p>Well…. no shit! Different brands, different markets, different philosophies….If you want to bitch about BMW brand philosophy go do it on bimmerfile!</p>
<p>It is sad that many can not see that there is a need for smaller, smarter and stylish offerings for a variety of lifestyles.</p>
<p>C4, I realize that and my comment addressed that by saying I had plenty of zip even loaded and I suspect the Countryman will as well. No it won’t be as fast, but I’m not tracking the thing. It will do just fine.</p>
<p>dr. I agree wholeheartedly!! There is a definite need for smaller more utilitarian vehicles than the current rash of large crossovers. I applaud Mini’s foresight.</p>
<p>But there is a group out there that wants nothing but the current offerings, or even previous now defunct offerings that refuses to accept or consider other peoples interest and end uses.</p>
<p>@ C4</p>
<p>You never have to out grow a MINI.</p>
<p>You just use the wife’s car when you need to. That’s what I do.</p>
<p>True Cory. Believe me I am trying. But the wife has a MINI so it isn’t bad at all.</p>
<p>In this age where consumers are obsessed with gas mileage and emissions, MINI is not going to make the Countryman weigh any more than is required by its design.</p>
<p>MINI has every motivation to design light vehicles. As Gabe pointed out, MINI has done so here.</p>
<blockquote>or even previous now defunct offerings</blockquote>
<p>“Defunct”!? You calling my car defunct!? You, sir, have just issued a declaration of war.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whiteroofradio.com/the-best-of-wrr-1-gert-hildebrand/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.whiteroofradio.com/the-best-of-wrr-1-gert-hildebrand/</a></p>
<p>If you actually want to hear it from Gert Hildebrand listen to the 27min mark.</p>
<p>3,000 pounds for an awd corssover is LIGHT. a VW GTI ways more than that and is smaller and isnt AWD. As much as I thought the Countryman would fail, this thing is kickass.</p>
<p>That.guy</p>
<p>Its not a knock on the car. I’ve driven them and like them, which is why I eventually bought one. But they are no longer offered. Defunct=no longer exists. The car is still around, but it is no longer a bmw offering. That is all I meant.</p>
<p>Seems like for those interested in the AWD component in the USA, the Subaru Impreza line is probably the likely competitor. The Impreza WRX is longer (by about a foot) and heavier by about 350 pounds but also has more power (265 and 305 HP turbocharged engines, depending on the model you choose). Price points for the more adequately powered engines will likely be comparable to the Countryman’s. Yes, the Impreza’s gas mileage is pretty crappy compared to what I expect the Countryman’s to be, but I think the HP might have to be a tad higher on the Countryman to tip the scales here. I look forward to seeing a JCW edition of the Countryman.</p>
<p>p.s., C4 – all the horses are dead, bro.</p>
<p>Still wondering what the ground clearance is. Reports on other sites say it is 10 mm more than any other Mini. 10 mm = 0.4 inch. The Cooper and Clubman have 4.8 inches, so if the reports are correct, the Countryman has 5.2. My Toyota MR2, not anyone’s idea of a rock-crawler, has more ground clearance than that. As someone who actually does drive on rough and muddy dirt roads, I was hoping for at least 7 inches.</p>
<blockquote>I look forward to seeing a JCW edition of the Countryman.
p.s., C4 – all the horses are dead, bro.</blockquote>
<p>2x on both counts.</p>
<p>I am chopping up the horses and slice them as we speak.</p>
<p>Is the Countryman’s ground clearance known at all?</p>
<p>What is the weight of an R53 with no Sunroof?</p>
<p>C4 — it was hardly two weeks ago that you announced with great fanfare that your next car, due to the Countryman’s inadequate cargo and passenger capacity, would be not a MINI, but a BMW 328i Sports Wagon. According to their site, that vehicle weighs in at 3,527 lbs., so while it may be a long wait for a MINI that exceeds the 3,500 lbs. that you decry, you apparently won’t have very long to wait at all. Enjoy your “truck”.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>What is the weight of an R53 with no Sunroof?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The R53 is anywhere from 20-40 lbs more than an R56 depending in spec. But don’t tell C4</p>
<p>Well people that buy it will have to lose the weight for them. lol</p>
<p>Making yourself lighter will reduce weight. I remember talking to Jeff Stracco about this back in 05′ about weight improvements.</p>
p>@alpinamike:</p
<p>Unfortunately, the trend of ever-increasing obesity in this country shows no signs of abating; even MINI’s are becoming heavier! That said, if MINI has succeeded in retaining their trademark handling in this iteration, it very well may appeal to a broader audience. I don’t expect to see one next to my R53 at the track, though.</p>
<p>Veggivet: “…a broader audience”. Pun intended I preume?</p>
<p>This might be a dumb question but because its a CUV does anyone thing the JCW edition will also come in auto? The wife is horrible on stick :)</p>
<p>Will be interesting to see what the weight of a Countryman AWD variant would be against the RAV4, plus engine capacity / power / performance / economy.</p>
<p>Personally if the width is approximately equal to a RAV4 then I would like to see an option for 3 seats in the rear with a centre fold-down armrest incorporated into the upright section in addition to the current 2 rear seat lineup.</p>
<p>Before anyone has heart palpitations, any AWD car under 3000 lbs is pretty damned good!</p>
<p>I’m with Aaron, I don’t think anyone here will deny the sporting cred of Subaru in rallying, so a much lighter Countryman with JCW power will be a pretty sick combo! Can’t wait to test-drive one ;)</p>
<p>C4 also made a comment way back about MINI making a minivan…study history C4, Mini did make vans from the early 60s up to about 1984…</p>
<p>I’m sick of all the purile remarks about MINI expanding their market share. I’m all for it…the more models they’re making means they’ll appeal to more people therefor ensuring the brand will stay around…there’s no reason MINI needs to limit itself a la Morgan and having a tiny enthusiast base to appeal to.</p>
<p>I honestly can’t see why anyone here can complain about these specs.
If you don’t want a bigger MINI then fine – just stick to the existing range of 2 and 4 seaters.
If you did want a bigger MINI I think this certainly fits the bill as the “Next size up”. Sure it’s heavier than some other cars, but MINI’s are built a far sight better than some cars I’ve driven (i.e. Ford) which are light for a reason (and not a good one).
If MINI captures a larger market and stays afloat then it can only be a Good Thing.
My 2 sons are getting just too big to fit in the back of my R53, so I was looking at a Clubman as a stop-gap to owning something bigger. Now the Countryman is here I know the route I’ll be taking, and it’s money in MINI’s pocket.</p>
<p>It’s just a shame that now there’s a larger MINI, it will be compared to every other car of a similar size. Generally in the U.S. you’ve not had many cars of the MINI size, so it was fairly unique. In the UK there are hundreds, so it’s more amazing that it survived here with so much competition.</p>
<p>@ Minipuma…</p>
<p>yup, pun intended.</p>
<p>Two things:</p>
<p>1) Can we all please stop feeding the trolls?
2) Feature request: Ability to block specific commenters from view. All are welcome to submit their opinions, but it would be REALLY nice if we could choose to make them disappear from view.</p>
<p>Before we get excited and start thinking of this as a Subie or Audi Quattro competitor, consider that the R60 does not have nearly as aggressive an AWD setup. My understanding is that it is akin to Honda and Toyota’s CRV / RAV4 systems, which are FWD until slippage is encountered at the front wheels, at which point power is sent to the rear wheels. As a result, this will drive more like a FWD car than an AWD car. This is an urban-intended CUV, albeit one with better style and likely build quality than the Japanese competitors… I think this has been overlooked in much of this discussion.</p>
<p>Having said that, I too want this vehicle to be a short and light rallycross type vehicle for tearing down undulating pavement backroads and pulling 4wheel drifts but the R60 in current form is not specced even close to that sort of car; it is short and light, but it is essentially a FWD CUV with “as needed” AWD. Not the same driving experience at all, as one can verify by driving a Honda CRV versus an Audi Quattro or Subaru. (One of my wishes going back to forever was a 2-seat miata weight vehicle with slightly raised ride height and full time 4WD in the spirit of Lancia Stratos… why do I have to buy a fairly large 4door sedan/wagon from Audi/Subaru/Mitsubishi to get that kind of year-round hard core performance driving experience?! Argh!)</p>
<p><b>This is why I am pleading that BMW make the JCW version a different animal altogether… with a more aggressive “Prodrive-inspired” AWD design that drives more like a full-time AWD Subie or a Quattro does when launching and in corners… one can hope at least… 🙂 </b></p>
<blockquote>This is why I am pleading that BMW make the JCW version a different animal altogether… with a more aggressive “Prodrive-inspired†AWD design that drives more like a full-time AWD Subie or a Quattro does when launching and in corners</blockquote>
<p>I second that notion! Doubt they’ll do it though…</p>
<p>I went back and reread some things and I thought the Countryman was nominal AWD with the ability to shuttle power up to 100% to the back wheels, not nominal FWD shuttling power only when the front slips.</p>
<p>Gabe?</p>
<p>I just saw a video on the Wall St. Journal’s site quoting a “beefier frame for better handling” and 46 mpg on the highway. That’s gotta be for the diesel, right?</p>
p>@C4</p
<p>“I have driven a NA Cooper Clubman and the NA Prince in that car already feels at the limit of driveability”</p>
<p>The Clubman in only 90lbs heavier than the R56! Ask yourself this. If you have this much of a problem with what MINI/BMW is doing, WHY ARE YOU HERE?</p>
<p>Diesel and maybe imperial gallons (UK).</p>
<p>Checking the UK Mini site, that is probably gas not diesel, but imperial gallons (=1.2xUS gallons).</p>
<p>So if we continue on their current trajectory then the next R56 replacement will be 30-40 lbs lighter than the R56, and 60-80lbs lighter than the R53.</p>
<p>But if it will make you happy: I apologize for the cars getting lighter.</p>
<p>@lava – please also apologize for them getting more awkward looking and less involving to drive. ;)</p>
<p>sorry goat – not till it happens</p>
<p>If by “awkward looking” you mean “less precious” you’ve got a point.</p>
<p>precious: adj. obviously contrived to charm; affectedly dainty or overrefined.</p>
<p>I’m actually really happy with the N/A Clubman. More scoot than I would have imagined it to have.</p>
<p>Anyway, tons of whining here. Too bad…</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>My wife needs a AWD and some cargo space for her job as a visiting nurse and is really looking forward to trading in her highlander for this. The weight will not be a concern for her or for most of the people who buy this I believe, and the JCW version should make up for that</p>
<p>People should reserve their weight rants till they drive the thing. I’m sure this will handle great for a CUV.</p>
<p>Also, with all these safety requirements, its virtually impossible now days to build a car to satisfy all of these weight weenies. This isn’t the 80’s or 90’s anymore. Accept it and move on.</p>
<p>Some of you are talking like they are taking the previous Mini models away from you. Those who love the tiny, light,and nimble will still have that choice. However those that love Minis but want a little room to haul more than ass now can.</p>
<p>-P</p>