The Wait is Over – The MINI Countryman Debuts Next Week in LA
The MINI Countryman is finally here. After months of anticipation MINI will be showing the Countryman for the first time publicly at the 2016 LA Auto Show beginning next week. MotoringFile will be in hand to speak with engineers, designers and MINI product managers to get an inside look at the new model.
If you have questions you’d like us to ask or areas you’d like us to explore let us know in the comments below.
Official release: Presenting a world premiere and the latest additions to its model range at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, MINI not only moves forward with the change of generation in its model program but also maintains its advance into the premium compact segment. The new MINI Countryman will be on show in Los Angeles for the first time. This all-round talent offers an impressive increase in interior space, enhanced driving fun, innovative fittings and a refined premium ambience. It is also the first model of the brand to be available with a plug-in hybrid drive.
Visitors to the Los Angeles Convention Center will also get to see the very best of the current MINI models in the small car segment from 18 to 27 November 2016. This applies to both the new MINI Convertible and the new MINI Seven. The first design model of the new generation is available as a MINI 3 door and a MINI 5 door.
The new MINI Countryman: bigger, more versatile, more innovative.
As the successor to the first premium compact model of the brand, the new MINI Countryman has everything it takes to convey the enthusiasm of hallmark MINI driving fun to additional target groups in the future, too. This completely newly developed model is 20 centimetres long than its predecessor, has powerful proportions and in addition to the characteristic raised seating position, it provides considerably more space on its five fully-fledged seats and luggage compartment. The change of generation also exhibits clear advancements in the areas of versatility, sporty flair and premium quality.
In the US automotive market, there are two powerful petrol engines to choose from for the MINI Countryman, both of which are of the latest generation featuring MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology. Both engines can be combined with the new efficiency-optimised version of the all-wheel drive system ALL4. In addition, the new MINI Countryman is the first model of the British brand to be available with a plug-in hybrid drive. In the form of the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 it has a range of up to 40 kilometres running on electricity alone.
The unmistakable character of the new MINI Countryman derives not least from its powerfully expressive design and numerous innovative equipment features. In conjunction with the optional LED headlamps, the daytime driving light is produced for the first time by a band of light running entirely around each headlamp. The 8.8-inch colour display in the hallmark central instrument comes with the MINI navigation system Professional and now offers a new touchscreen function. Other new features include the MINI Country Timer, which registers travel over challenging terrain, the fold-out MINI Picnic Bench, which turns the loading sill of the luggage compartment into a comfortable seat for outdoor breaks, and the MINI Find Mate, which makes it easy for MINI Countryman drivers to locate bags, keys and other accessories.
The new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman: extreme driving fun in the premium compact segment.
The latest generation of John Cooper Works extreme athletes now also takes the premium compact segment by storm. The new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman combines its captivating spirit with top figures in terms of space, versatility and long-distance suitability. The stretched lines of the body, four side doors and characteristic split doors provide a contemporary interpretation of the tradition-steeped shooting brake concept, with five fully-fledged seats and a versatile luggage compartment on the inside.
In addition to its space concept, the engine concept of the new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman also makes it highly flexible. With the most powerful engine ever to be found in a MINI, the all-wheel drive system ALL4 as standard and suspension technology geared towards the very highest performance properties, it is both able to meet the diverse demands of day-to-day traffic and rise to the challenges posed by the race track. What is more, its exclusive design and equipment features set it clearly apart from the other model variants of the new MINI Clubman.
The latest attraction in the small car segment is the new MINI Seven. This design model particularly highlights the British origins, extrovert appeal, hallmark driving fun and premium character of the new MINI generation.
A contrasting paint finish for the roof and exterior mirror caps in the variant Melting Silver, exclusive bonnet stripes and deco elements as well as 17-inch light alloy wheels in MINI Seven two-tone design underscore the model’s individual style on the exterior. Exclusive accentuations in the interior especially include sports seats in the fabric/leather combination Diamond Malt Brown, created specifically for the design model.
<p>Is the door opening any larger for the driver on this model? As a taller person who loves MINIs (on our 4th), the 2 door models (and the R55 I had) all were very easy for ingress and egress. All 4 door models now of the F generation are incredibly hard to get into or put the B pill at my shoulder or even in front of it (F55). This sole issue keeps us from graduating to a larger MINI as time goes on and the hardtop begins to be too small for our needs.</p>
<p>I don’t have this issue with the F54 which the F60 is based on.</p>
<p>Well that’s a bummer because that car will still not great for me. I had a loaner and have test driven it before but it could work if it was not my Daily. The “swoop and doop” I have to do to get in is a bit more than I want to have to do on a twice daily basis. I do recognize I am the minority, but I will still go check this car out at the dealer event next week. Thanks Gabe for the comparison.</p>
<p>The 5-door F55 has at least an inch less height when you try to get in, that’s why most taller people hit their head when they first get in an F55, the Clubman F54 doesn’t have that problem, it has mostly the same height as the F56. You should recompare the F54 to the F56 again to see if, with the seat AND steering wheel set to your future daily position, you’d still have to “swoop and doop”.</p>
<p>Try to set the steering wheel as far away from you as possible and get the seat forward up to a comfortable position, no kick-back couch position! Maybe that’ll put the b-pillar up to an acceptable distance?</p>
<p>Maybe I was misleading with my tactics to get in, yes the head is an issue on the F55, but the length of the door is my biggest qualm. I have to get in the car, then fall back. My typical seating position is seat down and back all the way with minimal setback angle (more upright). Steering wheel all the way in. The fall back method is less exaggerated on the F54 as the door does seem to be longer, but the B pillar will always be my nemesis until I get shorter (6′-6″) or lose weight (not a small figure). I got to he point on my last car (CTS-V Wagon) where the paint was catching a ton of wear on the front of B pillar, inside the door opening, where my right hip and butt rubbed on the way in in an effort to keep from dragging across the bolsters of the Recaro seats. Didn’t mean to hijack the comments with my 1% body type issues on a MINI article, yes I know the car is small, its a MINI :)</p>
<p>Yetti96 – I have the same issue and is why I did not order a new Clubman or 4-door. I could not find a way to step in first with either F55 or F54 – I always needed to enter butt first and would bounce off either the steering wheel or b-pillar. The door openings are too small for me with the seat as far back as I need it to drive. Getting out was also a challenge as I’d need to pull on the steering wheel to get the leverage to lift up and exit the vehicle. I did not have this issue with my R53, R55 or any F56/F57 I’ve test driven
Ended up ordering a F56 JCW – just waiting for a boat to transport my new baby to me.</p>
<p>Have you ever considered getting a Paceman to get a 2-door Countryman equivalent? I know it’s a shame to have to go back to the previous generation, but I hear they are paying people to get them off the lots :D</p>
<p>Where is the dealer event?</p>
<p>There will be dealer events in March 2017</p>
<p>I have the new clubman S and I love it I traded in a 2015 BMW X5. I’m ‘6-4″ and I don’t have a problem with the new clubman. The car is nice and it rides good to me. The car is bigger then I thought it was. I love it. I’m buying a new house and let me cut some cost and thought I would take a step down and get a mini but little did I know the mini is not a step down. It is a great car and feels well built with top of the line materials in it a lot better materials then more expensive cars. I will buy another and I think people need to take a closer look at mini Cooper.</p>
<p>Same. I’m 6’2″ and I have no issues with my Clubman’s egress or ingress.</p>
<p>Yeah I love the car what year is yours</p>