Spied: F60 Countryman Winter Testing
Back in September, we shared our insights regarding the next MINI Countryman. The most successful MINI – after the Hardtop that is – will share the same extended UKL platform as the future BWM X1 and could come as a five and seven seater vehicle. In addition, the F60 Countryman will most likely boast similar engines currently seen across the FXX lineup, with possible diesel and plug-in options offered throughout the lifecycle of the car. Very few details regarding the exterior design have been available until now, but our colleagues at Autocar just revealed [interesting tidbits](http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-mini-countryman-development-2016-launch) on the matter.
According to their sources, the upcoming F60 will grow in length and height (which is expected given that it is based on the extended UKL platform) with a style that is “much more harmonious and better resolved than that of the original [Countryman]”. This comes from the fact that the R60 was previously restricted by the platform it shared with the R55 Clubman. While this all there is to know at this point, the key takeaway is that this future model will be an evolution, as opposed to a revolution, compare to its predecessor. Based on the BMW Group’s seven year lifecycle, expect to F60 to be released in the fall of 2017.
Don’t forget to visit [Autocar](http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-mini-countryman-development-2016-launch); they have a couple of nice winter testing spy pictures.
<p>I have a huge respect for Autocar, but this article by Hilton Holloway appears to be riddled with inaccuracies.</p>
<p>First he says that R60 used the R55 Clubman platform. In fact, R60 used a heavily re-engineered R55 platform, with a longer wheelbase, wider tracks and a completely different front bulkhead. BMW said at the launch of R60 that the platform had been so heavily re-engineered that it was virtually a new platform!</p>
<p>He goes on to say that the new Countryman is an evolution rather than a revolution, and stays close to the design of the R60. This is contrary to what BMW has already told us, that the new Countryman will, “preview a new individual look”. I suspect that what we are looking at is a mule, based on a modified R60.</p>
<p>He may have taken some shortcuts in his descriptions but overall I wouldn’t say that his statements are inaccurate. As far as the exterior design is concerned, “new individual look” does not necessarily equates “revolution”. The F56 is an evolution of the R56 and I don’t think MINI has deviated from this design principle for the F60. Also I’m not sure where that quote from BMW is from, but they would of course have to say “new individual look”. Sounds more appealing than “evolution”. But that’s just my take.</p>
<p>I’ve heard the look will indeed be a more evolutionary approach but will appear more cohesive as a design statement.</p>
<p>I have copied and pasted several paired pictures of the R60 and camouflaged F60 together on the same page, and studied them minutely, and I am satisfied that they are two different cars. Yes I know it’s a bit sad, but I’m whiling away the winter months on the tropical island of Penang, and there is only so much that a man can take of sitting under the shade of a palm tree drinking chilled fruit cocktails! :-)</p>
<p>Having had more time to study enlarged photographs, I have been contemplating my first impressions of the camouflaged F60. Speaking as a long-term R60 Countryman owner, it’s actually not bad, but the claim that “the style is much more harmonious and better resolved than that of the original”, is arguable at this stage. Nevertheless, in all fairness, the F60 does appear to carry its extra bulk quite well.</p>
<p>I was, however, disappointed that the ‘helmut’ rear quarter styling element has been perpetuated on the F60 to an even greater extent than before. Then the penny dropped! When R58 Coupé production ceases this summer, the new Countryman will be the only MINI to carry forward the ‘helmut’ style, and it is clear to me now that BMW intends it to be the Countryman’s hallmark. I wish the new F60 well.</p>