Having revealed the model for India at the Auto Expo 2018 in February, BMW India is all set to introduce the 2018 MINI Countryman SUV on May 3, 2018. The Countryman is the largest offering in the British automaker's line-up and can be also termed as the more practical derivative of the MINI 2-door hatchback. The 2018 MINI Countryman shares its underpinnings with the BMW X1 with both cars being locally assembled at the BMW facility in Chennai. The SUV is an extremely popular offering for MINI India, and local assembly should keep costs low on the model. The Countryman will be offered in two petrol trims - Coope S and Cooper S JCW, while there is a diesel trim as well namely, Cooper SD.
Also Read: MINI Countryman Launched in India
The new generation MINI Countryman is based on a completely new design language and has been re-engineered from the ground up. The SUV retains the distinct identity associated with the British brand, while you do see that there is a wider yet familiar grille in place, along with new LED headlamps and pronounced wheel arches. The new Countryman is visibly larger as well and offers more space on the inside.
Also Read: MINI Countryman - Price Expectation in India
(The second generation MINI Countryman will be assembled at the BMW Chennai plant)
The second generation MINI Countryman offers cabin space than its predecessor growing by 200 mm in length and 30 mm in width. The cabin offers better legroom and even more shoulder-room, capable of seating five in comfort. The boot capacity has increased by 30 per cent to 450 litres and can be further expanded to 1309 litres with the rear seats folded.
Loaded on tech and goodies, features on the 2018 Countryman will include a 6.5-inch or 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, MINI driving modes, Cruise Control, Park Assistant and Head-Up Display. The car also gets a host of safety tech front and passenger airbags, Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control, Crash Sensor, ABS, Cornering Brake Control and Run-flat tyres as standard.
The SUV also comes with Automatic Tailgate combined with Comfort Access System that allows you to wave below the tailgate with your leg to access the boot.
(The 2018 MINI Countryman will be offered with both petrol and diesel options)
Power on the 2018 MINI Countryman will come from the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine tuned to produce 189 bhp and peak torque of 280 Nm. The petrol version can sprint from 0-100 kmph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 225 kmph. There will be a diesel version as well powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder oil burner churning out 188 bhp and 400 Nm of peak torque. Both engines will come paired to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission. The diesel is no slouch either and can hit 0-100 kmph in 7.7 seconds with a top speed of 220 kmph.
You will be able to further spruce up the Countryman depending on variant, with each trim adding a host of new features to the exterior and interior. The JCW version adds a Harman Kardon audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a lot more.
(The MINI Countryman will take on the Volvo V40 Cross Country, Audi Q3 and the likes)
Prices for the 2018 MINI Countryman SUV are expected to start at around Rs. 45 lakh (ex-showroom), and you can expect prices to increase further depending on the all the boxes you tick from the options list. The SUV will be locking horns against a host of offerings in this space including the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and Volvo V40 Cross Country. BMW India has already announced that deliveries for the Countryman will commence from June this year.
