Yahoo Autos Here's the All-New Mini Countryman
When Mini introduced the Countryman back in 2010, it was a big departure for the brand. While it was certainly smaller than most SUVs, the five-door Countryman dwarfed the two-door Mini Cooper. In our long-term test, though, we came to appreciate its quirkiness despite its size. Now, there's a new Countryman, and it's gotten even bigger.
Yes, the redesigned Countryman is one inch wider and nearly eight inches longer than the previous version. But only three of those extra inches are added to the wheelbase. Still, Mini says it's got an extra 5.4 cubic feet of available cargo space. That makes it a bit longer than a Jeep Renegade, though with slightly less cargo capacity.
Despite being larger than its predecessor, the new Countryman is ever so slightly quicker. The base engine now makes 134 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque, which Mini says makes the Countryman 1.6 seconds quicker to 60 mph, now just 9.3 seconds. Bumping up to the Countryman S gives you 189 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque, bringing the 0-60 down to 7.2 seconds. And if you want, you can add all-wheel drive to either version.
But if you want the quickest Countryman you can buy, you have to spring for the plug-in hybrid version-the Cooper S E Countryman All4. It's Mini's first plug-in hybrid, and it offers a total output of 221 horsepower and 284 lb.-ft. of torque-enough to juice you to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. Mini says the hybrid Countryman has a 24-mile all-electric range, and charges to 100 percent from dead in 3.25 hours using a 240-volt source.
Look for the Mini Countryman to make its official debut on November 16th at the LA Auto Show and in dealerships this February.
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