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Today the MINI Countryman debuted at the NYC autoshow with little surprise. In fact the only thing we learned today at the show that we didn’t know before was that the full length center rail will not be offered in the US due to regulations. Instead the US market will be getting the two-piece rail system pictured here and not the single piece seen here.
But rails aside look for the Countryman to land in the US next March at a price between the Clubman and Convertible.
Some photos courtesy of Gene Sanchez of kineticfin.com
<blockquote> In fact the only thing we learned today at the show that we didn’t know before was that the full length center rail will not be offered in the US due to regulations.</blockquote>
<p>We need a dislike button.</p>
<p>Something tells me that switching the the one piece rail will be a popular mod. Kinda takes away the usefulness of the rail when its in two tiny sections.</p>
<p>What is the regulation that is being violated?</p>
<p>I know my next purchase!</p>
<p>See you in 2012, Countryman (Clubman will be paid off)!</p>
<p>‘MINI’ does not evoke images of an SUV! When I first saw the Countryman pics, I admit, I thought it a little sexy; however, comparing it 2 my ’06 MCS, it just looks like it’s going the SUV route, which, 2 me, is just 2 SUV-like and non-MINI-like. What’s next? A ‘MINI’ answer 2 the now defunct Hummer???</p>
<p>I like that it has four doors, and that it has four wheel drive capability. If the price is below that of the comparable convertible version that is a plus too.</p>
<p>I don’t like that the rear seat is split up. Seems that they wasted space that could have accommodated a fifth person back there (in a pinch of course).</p>
<p>I wonder how it handles. I hate the body roll that usually comes with height and if it has some body roll than it’s a no go for me. I’m between a countryman and clubman at the moment but I have time to wait and see how things develop in 2011/12. Can’t wait for the test drive.</p>
<p>The R60… it just is not growing on me. I do think it will look a lot more appealing “in the wild” rather than on a show stand.</p>
<p>Incidentally, the Fiat looks just the right size for what a MINI hatch should be and the interior is ace (door plastics are fairly low quality, mind). And those aren’t even top Abarth essesse models (thus the 4×4 wheelgap on the white one). Well I guess we’ll have more choice in Canada for a small sporting hatch soon enough. And finally MINI will be forced to up their game back to R50/R53 levels!</p>
<p>Growing to really like the Cooper (non-S) treatment, but I can not warm up to the new headlight shape. Can I custom order the original round lights?! :-)</p>
<p>Wow someone took my advice and took a pic of the 4 wheel drive unit under the MINI.lol</p>
<p>Compare it to the beachcomber.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/4287647029/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/4287647029/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/4287647281/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/4287647281/</a></p>
<p>Awesome gallery! I hope I’ll be allowed to sit in it this weekend. The new radio controls seem much better with two rotator knobs on the integrated head unit now- looks like the same button setup overall as the E90.</p>
<p>I’m also glad that we get the two-piece center rail without cutting off the back for increased room to put a leg/foot or slide over. As long as there is a rail to put in an armrest and cupholder, no probs!</p>
<p>I may be getting one of these…. just need to start saving and pay off the 325i… Cooper S All4, 6speed Manual, Green, beige leather, sport package…. 🙂 Just need the configurator!</p>
<p>Can’t wait, I’ll be there this weekend!!</p>
<p>There will be a Countryman or two at MINIs in the Mountains/MINI Takes the States this year so everyone come out. I don’t know if it will be at all MTTS venues but they said it will at least be @ Denver.</p>
<p>I can surely live with the two piece rail system. A fold down armrest with neato MINI designed features would have been better.</p>
<p>so no 3rd seat and now the rail system they are trying to push as THE feature of the Countryman is cut in half for the US.</p>
<p>remind me again how BMW is building/focusing designs to their supposedly biggest market?</p>
<p>Going to the NY Auto show today after work. Very excited. Hope they let you sit inside the countryman?!</p>
<p>So is someone going to report that HUMMER to the CCC???
That is the only way to make a HUMMER look cool these days…</p>
<p>I see all you scoop whiners got your way. Hood seems a bit plain.</p>
<p>Can someone please burn that Hummer and fire whoever thought it would be cute/funny.
The two brands should not linked in any way.</p>
<p>I still have hope that MINI will do something special with the Gen 3 -lighter, smaller than R50,more efficient – but seeing stuff like this doesn’t make me want to hold my breath.</p>
<p>Cze33r, you can’t make everyone happy all of the time. They probably used a Hummer because it was easier to make graphics for a flat surface which Hummers have in abundance.</p>
<p>I would love to see MINI put out a far more retro sized vehicle which is about the size of a Fiat 500. That new 3 cylinder currently in the works would work great in it! But as you know, the trend for most models is to always get larger. The MINI hardtop will probably reach midsize some day.</p>