Geneva show: Mini makes Countryman more chic

MINI has revealed the Countryman Park Lane during the Geneva motor show, bringing new styling touches to its small-sized SUV.

The new variant adds “high-end individual flair” to the diminutive off-roader by pairing an Earl Grey metallic paint finish with an Oak Red roof, side view mirrors, optional body stripes and side turn indicator surrounds.

Eighteen-inch alloy wheels finished in a Turbo Fan Dark Grey colour complete the exterior look.

Inside, it is distinguished by Park Lane-branded side sills and passenger side dashboard, Oxide Silver-finished door bezels and cockpit trim, a Cross Stripe Grey patterned centre console surround, and Carbon Black door trims and centre console.

Engine choices remain unchanged, with Mini offering the Countryman with three petrol engines – 90kW/160Nm Cooper, 140kW/240Nm Cooper S, 160kW/280Nm John Cooper Works – or two diesel engines – 82lW/270Nm Cooper D, 105kW/305Nm Cooper SD.

Cooper S and Cooper SD variants can also be paired with Mini's ALL4 all-wheel drive system.

Mini recently introduced a mid-life update for the Countryman that brought styling tweaks, reduced noise, vibration and harshness levels (NVH) and increased fuel efficiency, with all engines clocking figures between 4.4 litres per 100km for the Cooper D and 8.0L/100km for the range-topping John Cooper Works.

The BMW-owned car-maker sold 580 examples of the Countryman in Australia in 2014 – its second best-selling model for the year – and it accounted for 22.6 per cent of total sales for the brand.

The Countryman Park Lane takes its name from the famous street in London – which features a Mini dealership – and the Countryman is the third Mini to adopt this name in regards to a styling pack.