New Mini Countryman receives up to $4600 price hike

MINI’s second-generation Countryman SUV will arrive in Australian showrooms from late Q1 with a price increase of up to $4600 compared with the superseded model, but will also sport more technology, increased specification and a new look.

The new range will be opened by the front-drive $39,900 before on-roads Countryman Cooper, powered by a 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbo triple and up $3400 on last year’s automatic entry-level version.

Mini’s other petrol-powered offering, the Countryman Cooper S, will see a $1600 price rise to $46,500, with power derived from a 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre turbo four and sent exclusively to the front axle.

Opting for an oil-burning powerplant will see buyers shelling out $43,900 and $51,500 for the front-wheel-drive Countryman D and all-paw Countryman SD respectively, corresponding to a $4600 and $2160 price differential against the outgoing versions.

Both variants derive power from a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, with outputs in the Countryman D reaching 110kW/330Nm while the Countryman SD raises the bar to 140kW/400Nm.

Offsetting the range-wide price bump will be higher levels of standard equipment, which now includes automatic transmissions across the line-up, reversing camera, 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, active cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, speed limiter, digital radio, satellite navigation, keyless entry and start, automatic tailgate, and Mini logo puddle-light projection.

Countryman Cooper variants will employ a six-speed auto, returning a combined fuel economy figure of 6.5 litres per 100km and a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 9.6 seconds, and will also receive silver-finished roof rails and sill mouldings, gloss black side scuttles, roof-mounted rear spoiler, chrome exhaust outlet, cloth and leather interior, and halogen headlights.

Cooper D versions receive the same equipment as its base counterpart, but shifting is now handled by an eight-speed auto, resulting in a quicker 8.8s 0-100km/h time and a more frugal 4.8L/100km fuel economy rating.

Stepping up to the Cooper S and SD adds selectable driving modes (normal, sport and green), new-look 18-inch wheels, S exterior badging, dual exhaust pipes, sports steering wheel, rear-seat armrests and adaptive cornering LED headlights.

Both top-spec petrol and diesel versions will make use of an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, and will return respective fuel consumption figures of 6.5L and 5.2L/100km with both hitting the landmark 0-100km/h time in 7.4s.

Distinguishing the new model from the old will be a new look front fascia, with a new grille and redesigned bumper.

The new-gen Countryman also grows in size, “with 59mm additional elbow room, 50mm more shoulder room, 9mm more headroom and an impressive 50mm increase in rear legroom”, according to Mini.

Countryman drivers will sit 90mm higher up than its Clubman stablemate, while the 40:20:40 split-rear seats can be folded to increase storage capacity to 450L, 100L more than the previous model.

While making no mention of the range-topping Countryman JCW hero in this release, Mini has previously confirmed the 170kW/350Nm all-wheel-drive high performer will land on Australian shores in mid-2017.

A plug-in hybrid variant of the second-generation Countryman has also already been confirmed for the Australian market, but further details are still forthcoming.

2017 Mini Countryman pricing*

Cooper (a)	$39,900	(+$3400)
Cooper D (a)	$43,900	(+$4600)
Cooper S (a)	$46,500	(+$1600)
Cooper SD (a)	$51,500	(+$2160)

*Excludes on-road costs