MINI UK have confirmed pricing for the forthcoming MINI Countryman, due to go on sale in September this year. Prices start from £16,000 for the MINI One Countryman, rising to just over £22,000 for a MINI Cooper S Countryman All4.
On announcing the pricing for the fourth member of the new MINI family, Jochen Goller, Director of MINI UK had this to say:
The extra space and ALL4 MINI break new ground in the brand’s 51 year heritage. With Countryman prices starting at £16,000 and a very high standard specification, we are introducing more MINI piquancy into the crossover market this year.
The MINI Countryman will initially be available in five trim levels; MINI One Countryman, MINI One D Countryman, MINI Cooper Countryman, MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper S Countryman. Three models will offer the All4, four wheel drive option. The MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper S Countryman will offer this from launch in September, with the MINI Cooper Countryman All4 slated for a 2012 launch. There have also been strong indications a John Cooper Works version of the MINI Countryman will make an appearance in the not too distant future, if there’s suggestion of strong demand for such a vehicle.
The basic prices for the MINI Countryman range are as follows:
- MINI Countryman One: OTR Price: £16,000
- MINI Countryman One D: OTR Price: £17,000
- MINI Countryman Cooper: OTR Price: £17,510
- MINI Countryman Cooper D: OTR Price: £18,810
- MINI Countryman Cooper S: OTR Price: £20,810
The ALL4 models costs an additional £1,065 for the Cooper D or £1,220 for the Cooper S. No exact figures for MPG or emissions effect have been given for the All4 variants. For full specifications of the MINI Countryman range, see our previous MINI Countryman article.
The petrol engines are the updated 1.6 litre power plants already announced for the MINI, Convertible and Clubman models due to hit the roads next month, while the diesel units are shared with the rest of the MINI range. The petrol engines all feature Variable Valve Timing (VVT) similar to the BMW Valvetronic system that produces more torque low down and aids overall efficiency. The Cooper S model also features a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection that gives blistering performance with modest fuel economy and low CO² emissions. All engines meet EU5 emissions standards.
The MINI Countryman range offers standard equipment including:
- Roof rails that facilitate various attachments like roof boxes or roof racks
- Thatcham Category 1 alarm system
- Air conditioning
- Heated door mirrors and washer jets
- Rear park distance control
- MINI Central Rail system
- Multi-function rear seats – the five seat fitment being standard in the UK, although the four seat option will be at no cost
- Dynamic Stability Control
- Electric power steering with Servotronic speed-related assistance
- Six airbags
- ISOFIX child safety seat mountings
- Tyre puncture warning system
- Standard Central Bass Hi Fi system with six speakers
- DAB digital radio with Radio Boost
- Bluetooth telephone preparation
- USB connection
- Passenger Airbag deactivation
- Preparation for a bicycle rack
As for the target market for this, perhaps rather unusual, new offering from MINI, Lee Connolly, MINI UK Product manager made the following remarks:
Countryman ALL4 is a soft off-roader for use in everyday situations like parking in a field for a sporting event or driving on the beach…
The Countryman models still pack in the driving thrills that put a grin on your face the way all MINIs do. But the Countryman also brings new levels of space and versatility to the range that will attract not only existing MINI owners but also new customers. We expect that the extra space will mean that around 80 per cent of Countryman sales will come from customers completely new to the MINI brand.
Jochen Goller’s words conclude the official MINI press release, taking a cheeky side-swipe at MINIs competitors in the process (which new small or medium sized car isn’t announced as MINI rival these days?!).
We always maintain that MINI is not a boutique brand like some of its competitors. MINI is not a one trick pony and as the brand blossoms still further with Coupe and Roadster, MINI will soon be a six model family. All this has happened within a decade of MINI’s rebirth.
Tags: MINI Countryman, MINI Countryman prices, mini sales, mini uk, R60
