All-new MINI Countryman teased for Malaysian debut

MINI Malaysia has teased the arrival of the all-new F60 Countryman with this post on its official Facebook page. The second-generation Countryman first made its global debut back in October 2016, which was followed by the John Cooper Works version later in January this year.

Clicking on the attached link in the caption brings us to a registration of interest (ROI) page, where you’ll also get to watch various videos created by creative personalities.

The page itself doesn’t reveal too much about the Countryman, aside from the Picnic Bench cushion that folds out onto the boot lip, its larger (and roomier) proportions as well a look into the revamped interior.

Expect the Countryman line-up for Malaysia to include Cooper and Cooper S variants, similar to what is offered with the current model. A 136 hp/220 Nm 1.5 litre three-cylinder engine powers the former, while the Cooper S gets a 192 hp/280 Nm 2.0 litre four-cylinder instead.

The Cooper’s mill is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the more powerful variant gets an eight-speed unit instead. MINI’s all-wheel drive system – ALL4 – is available for both variants mentioned above but will probably be given a miss for the Malaysian market.

It is yet unknown if the new one will be a locally-assembled (CKD) model although from past experience, fully-imported (CBU) units will likely be introduced ahead of CKD operations.

In other markets, there is also the Cooper S E All4 plug-in hybrid, which uses the drivetrain from the BMW 225xe – a 1.5 litre three-cylinder engine with 136 hp and 220 Nm, assisted by an 88 hp/165 Nm electric motor. The variant offers up to 40 km of pure electric driving, at speeds of up to 125 km/h. However, it is unlikely that this variant will be offered here at launch.

As mentioned earlier, the new Countryman is a larger car than its predecessor, being 200 mm longer, 30 mm wider and with a 75 mm longer wheelbase. Its larger dimensions allow for a larger cabin, which features a much bigger boot, now 220 litres larger at 450 litres.

GALLERY: F60 MINI Countryman

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