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BMW Australia has confirmed the latest
incarnation of the Mini - the Countryman with optional all wheel
drive – will hit our shores in 2011. The four door Mini is expected
to be launched in Europe later this year and will bring to four the
number of models available in one of the world's leading cult cars.
“As a genuine crossover the Mini
Countryman bridges the gap between the classic concept of the Mini
and a modern Sports Activity Vehicle,” said a BMW spokesman. It
will be the first model in the Mini range with four doors and a
wide-opening rear door. Even the seats have been elevated to give the
driver and passengers a taller view as well as the car having greater
ground clearance.
As these images show the car has short
overhangs, a high window line and is unmistakably
Mini. The extra interior space is emphasised by extra-large windows,
four doors and the roof line. Flared wheel arches dominate the lower
half of the car.
The car comes standard with four seats,
but a three seat rear pew is a no-cost option. Designers have kept an
eye on long-distance travel when creating the interior with `generous
leg room, head room and shoulder room.'
The luggage compartment is most un-Mini
like with a basic 350 litre capacity growing to an enormous 1170
litres with the rear seats folded. The car comes with a choice of
five engines – three petrol and two diesel – but BMW Australia is
yet to make a decision on what engines will be offered here. The
power range extends from 66 kW in the Mini One D Countryman through
to 135 kW in the Mini S Countryman.
Petrol variants come standard with a
six speed manual transmission with an optional six speed auto
complete with Steptronic. As an option on the Cooper S Countryman and
Cooper D Countryman buyers will have the choice of opting four
permanent Mini All4, all wheel drive.
There's a wheel choice that ranges in
size from 16 inch to 19 inch alloys, sports suspension lowering the
entire car by 10mm as well as the range of John Cooper Works
performance components.
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