MINI Countryman facelift makes New York show debut

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The MINI Countryman facelift is making its world debut at NYC’s Jacob Javits Center, four years and 350k units after the maxi MINI came to life. BMW says that selective design mods for the exterior and interior, optimised fuel consumption and emission figures as well as innovative equipment features contribute to the more mature charisma and increased appeal of the Countryman.

It ain’t broke, so exterior remodelling is not major. The hexagonal radiator grille gets a new structure while a horizontal chrome rib in the Cooper S and SD, along with a curved “S” in red, help to mark the variant out. In the John Cooper Works, the rib is in red and there’s a JCW logo. In all other model variants, the grille is subdivided by two ribs, finished in gloss black on the One/One D and matte silver for the Cooper/Cooper D.

In conjunction with ALL4 AWD, all visual underride guard elements for the front/rear apron and side sills are now standard except for on the JCW. Paint choices have been expanded with the addition of Jungle Green (hero colour, seen here) and Midnight Grey, while Starlight Blue is now available on the Countryman for the first time. A new customisation option is Piano Black Exterior with high-gloss black for selected surfaces.

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The Cooper/Cooper D Countryman come with 16-inch 5-Star Air Spoke Design wheels, offering the advantage of reduced weight and optimised aerodynamic properties. The 17-inch 5-Star Triangle Spoke Design wheels for the Cooper S/Cooper SD are also lighter than their predecessors. LED fog lights with parking and daytime driving lights in LED are available as an optional extra for the first time.

In the cabin, acoustic comfort has been refined, and the displays and controls have been redesigned. All variants now have anthracite-coloured dials in the style of the JCW, which central instrument now also bears the JCW logo.

Efficiency-improving measures include optimised underbody air ducting, wheel bearings with a lower friction coefficient and tyres with reduced rolling resistance. This means that the figures for acceleration, elasticity and top speed are significantly improved in certain variants.

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The Cooper S’ twin-scroll turbo engine sees an increase in output by from 184 to 190 hp. The 0-100 km/h time is faster by a tenth (7.5 seconds), while 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear now takes 8.4 seconds – 0.2 seconds less than before. Top speed is up by 3 km/h to 218 km/h.

At the same time, fuel consumption is down to 6.0 litres per 100 km, while CO2 emissions drop by 3% to 139 g/km. The same increments listed above (0.1 sec, 0.2 sec, 3 km/h) apply to the JCW as well.

Minor improvements are also found in the 122 hp Cooper (5.9L per 100 km, CO2 137 g/km), 98 hp MINI One Countryman (5.7L per 100 km, CO2 134 g/km) and the diesel variants.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Obama on Apr 16, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    Camry is going to unveil totally new facelift at the New York auto shows, can’t wait to see how “radical” it is.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 6
    • Same lor Oriiii on Apr 16, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      US Camry is different from Malaysian Camry. However, they should have similar specs (Malaysian Camry is more expensive too).

      Guys please continue to buy cars so that the cronies can buy this Mini countryman for their kids 18 years old birthday present.

      You buy local cars, you feed the cronies directly.

      You buy foreign cars, you feed them too indirectly through excise duty and import tax.

      Only with the previous tax exempted hybrids you can get rid of them a little bit.

      Lu dalam Malaysia lu bela ku punya cronies. Lu tak suka, keluar dari Malaysia lar!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
      • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:22 pm

        You not happy in Malaysia, just get out. Migrate lah. Malaysia is a beautiful country and car prices here are reasonable!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 14
    • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:31 pm

      This junk comes here it will be RM250,000. Only a real idiot will buy this car at RM250,000. Might as well buy a recon Merc E250. More gaya. Chics also want you

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • Pasar Malam DVD Seller on Apr 16, 2014 at 7:37 pm

      Sorry Danny Tan, if this is a ‘facelift’, then I think they need to change the ‘plastic surgeon’. This car need a full body plastic surgery. It looks like a accident damaged car, similar to the current Toyota Avanza.

      Seriously, this car is downright UGLY!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • mini car for mini size man….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
    • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 6:11 pm

      Car is looking more like Kelisa. Looks retard to me.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • sudonano (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    very subtle facelift, but think I prefer the non blacked out lights as per the pre – LCI.

    Its an OK car, if it was priced slightly cheaper here in Malaysia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • trololol on Apr 16, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    the colour green is beautiful on this ! something special ! love it !!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • nabill (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    Love da color,hate the car,the most awekward car on da road

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Roslee Khan (Member) on Apr 25, 2014 at 4:20 am

    I’m buying mini cooper s. Country man. Please share thought. Am I making the right decision or…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Roslee Khan (Member) on Apr 25, 2014 at 4:22 am

    I’m buying mini cooper s. Country man. Am I making the right decision or…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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