What's the news?
MINI chose the rather un-countryside-like setting of the New York Auto Show to reveal its updated Countryman. Although MINI is referring to it as its 'new Countryman', only minor changes have been carried out in order to freshen up its image.
Exterior
The overall shape of the MINI Countryman remains the same; instead slight tweaks to further differentiate specific versions have been incorporated. The front grille now features a hexagonal design with a rib that, on the Cooper S and SD, is given a chrome finish, along with a curved red 'S'. The sportier John Cooper Works model gets a specific JSW logo. Further down the model list, the base-level One and One D get a similar treatment but with a gloss black rather than chrome finish.
New paint options have been added to the available palette and include Jungle Green metallic, Midnight Grey metallic and Starlight Blue metallic. Apart from the MINI One and One D Countryman, buyers can specify either black or white contrasting paint finishes on the roof and wing mirror caps at no additional cost, while red can be ordered as a contrasting colour on the John Cooper Works Countryman.
Other new features include the addition of LED fog lights and daytime running lights as standard on the majority of models. MINI has also introduced new five-star 'Air Spoke" alloy wheels in 16-inch form and a new 17-inch five-star 'Triangle Spoke' design for the Cooper S and Cooper SD Countryman.
Interior
All Countryman models will now get anthracite-coloured dials for the tachometer and speedometer. The rest of the layout, including the Centre Rail system, remains as per before, although MINI claims that it has improved the acoustic refinement inside.
Mechanicals
The engine and transmission line-up remains the same as before too, with a variety of different four-cylinder engines all capable of meeting the EU6 exhaust emission regulations. In the Cooper S Countryman, a power increase to 190hp sees a slight reduction in the 0-100km/h time to 7.5 seconds, while fuel economy has been slightly improved to return 47.1mpg, with emissions falling by three per cent to 139g/km - meaning that it will now be in road tax Band B2 - a saving of €100 per annum.
Anything else?
Buyers can also now specify a Piano Black Exterior trim that changes the front and rear light surrounds as well as the diagonal links between the A columns and front wheel arches, roof rails and cross-ribs in the radiator. This is a no-cost option.