An In-Depth Look at the Design of the 2017 MINI Countryman

Official Release: The new, second-generation MINI Countryman represents a more distinctive and mature proposition than its predecessor. A striking design language envelops the exterior of the urban all-rounder, while the interior is awash with creative details underscoring the premium character of the new MINI Countryman (combined fuel consumption: 7.0 – 2.1 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 159 –49 g/km). The new car is clearly recognisable as a member of the MINI family, yet has a character very much its own. “We see the new MINI Countryman as the adventurer of the family, always up for new experiences – either in the city or off the beaten track,” explains Christopher Weil, Head of Exterior Design at MINI.
The silhouette – powerful and rugged.
Ever since it was launched in 2010 the MINI Countryman has been winning over drivers with its distinctive design. The second generation of the Sports Activity Vehicle is equally as compact as its successful forebear and makes a convincing statement through its authentic design. “It was clear to us that the new MINI Countryman needed to go a step further aesthetically and yet still remain a MINI,” says Oliver Sieghart, Head of Interior Design at MINI. “In terms of its design, the Countryman is the most rugged and upright model in the MINI family.” Visual anchor points shared elsewhere in the brand family include the floating “helmet roof”, the chrome strip on the shoulderline and the clear silhouette, which incorporates classical MINI design features. And the new MINI Countryman extends the theme, with headlamps fully encircled by daytime driving light rings for the first time. Indeed, the evenly illuminated rings are a signature element, ensuring the striking contours of the headlights are visible during both the day and night.
The design language of the new MINI Countryman is now more pared-back and modern. The car has sharper lines and catches the eye with its taut surfaces and details. For example, metal edging has been added to the distinctive black band that wraps around the car and takes in the wheel arches. This edging is purposefully squarer in execution, rather than rounded. The flanks, with their precise surfaces, give the car its contours and create tautness. The edging around the wheel arches catches the light and sharpens the focus on all four wheels. The lights, the front grille and the hallmark side scuttles are also more prominent in appearance. Meanwhile, the optional ALL4 package gives the Countryman’s design a more muscular off-road character. With its roof rails, additional black bumper accents and silver-coloured underfloor protection, the new car cuts an even brawnier figure.
The interior – pure and practical.
Alongside the classical strengths of an SAV (think raised seating position, all-wheel drive and a spacious interior), the new MINI Countryman also offers customers a wealth of details and an authentic design. Tauter surfaces enable greater clarity and inject sharper graphic appeal into the design of the interior. Horizontal segments lend the cockpit area a visually broader and more modern look. The use of high-quality materials and scope for customisation – e.g. through the addition of chrome accents or backlit trim strips – bring an exclusive character to the new MINI Countryman. And the variety of details available, from subtle to extravagant, is undeniably large. “The MINI brand has a long tradition, which we are keen to express in a modern interpretation rather than just reference,” says Sieghart. That means seats with diagonal stitching, whose contemporary interpretation and colour scheme lift the classical seat cover profile to a new level thanks to a dash of creativity and a fine sense for the aesthetic. A standout feature is the interior option MINI YOURS – British Oak illuminated, where translucent sections in the trim strips help to generate vivid patterns. This option provides different expressions for daytime and night modes and infuses the interior with a special aesthetic appeal.
The plug-in hybrid model – electrifyingly new, electric in yellow.
The new MINI Countryman sees the MINI brand add a plug-in hybrid model to its line-up for the first time. This variant can be identified from the outside by numerous accents in yellow, such as the MINI E logo and the charging flap next to the side scuttle. The interior also contains elements which single this out as the plug-in hybrid model in the range, including accents on the steering wheel and instrument cluster, instruments adapted to electric driving and an extended user interface, which clearly highlights the car’s plug-in hybrid functions. Plus, the start/stop button in the centre console is no longer red – as in all other MINIs – but yellow instead.
15 Comments
<p>Within days of taking delivery of our long-term Countryman in January 2011, we named it “Baby Rhino” on account of its cute looking pugnacious face and its sturdy looking little body. That name has stuck ever since.</p>
<p>I totally agree that Countryman 2 has matured into a more masculine, sophisticated and capable looking SAV – while still possessing a cute looking pugnacious face – instantly recognisable the world over as MINI.</p>
<p><a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cf849ae31b9e7cbce8d4c0b1da133a5eeadd825d3066b04af0d8b5b2e86a7730.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cf849ae31b9e7cbce8d4c0b1da133a5eeadd825d3066b04af0d8b5b2e86a7730.jpg</a> <a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ad034e1b4a7c9440a27a7a9f692f2b7813f952d468e379d3f35c4a078344c719.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ad034e1b4a7c9440a27a7a9f692f2b7813f952d468e379d3f35c4a078344c719.jpg</a> <a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0a1ec7c5e3d8eb7295a20f9f0d18553d9324bf45bb38fac13d0c602f81040ee2.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0a1ec7c5e3d8eb7295a20f9f0d18553d9324bf45bb38fac13d0c602f81040ee2.jpg</a>
my more minimal take of the new countryman without black bumper. 🙂 great in red</p>
<p>Nice … losing that gaudy, cheap looking side scuttle makes such a difference. can’t they integrate signal; indicators into the mirrors already?</p>
<p>Well this is what it looks like which just no scuttle <a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f19cbd66df52ca3f16f5214bf1c4ff048036b0fc4e68d8715e0640072cf73316.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f19cbd66df52ca3f16f5214bf1c4ff048036b0fc4e68d8715e0640072cf73316.jpg</a></p>
<p>Love that simpler grill, nice red too, instead of the weak red they called Pure Red (I think?) in the previous Countryman</p>
<p>and truck 😉 <a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/341c8483a2eb76ab8e7b9f40b9dcc2bd862f6556bd236a7abe5920cc67b3a26a.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/341c8483a2eb76ab8e7b9f40b9dcc2bd862f6556bd236a7abe5920cc67b3a26a.jpg</a></p>
<p>Maybe this mINI will develop into something totally new and unprecedented. It could be called “station wagon” or “blimp.”</p>
<p>Current MINI owner here but it’s fiiiiiiiiiinally time for a new car. My current MINI has lasted me 12 years! I love the new Countryman & one is in my future I hope. I had sensibly build a 2016 countryman S & talked myself into the price tag. All the new features in the 2017 Country man me terrified of the new price. Any idea where the new pricing will be compared to 2016 & how much longer do I have to wait for the 2017 to hit the configurator! :o)</p>
<p>You can start configuring somewhat at <a href="https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/new-mini-countryman.html" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/new-mini-countryman.html</a></p>
<p>Hope it’s not that way in the US or the 2017 will be $7500 more than the 2016 :-O</p>
<p>It’ll be just over 25k base.</p>
<p>For the non-S? eeek</p>
<p>The Cooper will he right around 25 my our math. The Cooper S should be around $1500 more.</p>
<p>That’s only $400 more than now so not too bad (or are you saying Cooper S base price will go up $1500? Is it going to be around March prolly before they hit the USA configurator? All this guessing is driving me batty LOL</p>
<p>Rear bumper mounts are gone, just obsoleted my bike rack. Active Tourer uses a European ball hitch mount and has the option of two different racks (including one that collapses into the cargo floor) — any idea what we’ll get in the states? I really don’t want any bikes on the roof.
<a href="http://www.bmwblog.com/2014/07/23/bmw-2-series-active-tourer-accessories-wheels-bicycle-carrier/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.bmwblog.com/2014/07/23/bmw-2-series-active-tourer-accessories-wheels-bicycle-carrier/</a></p>