First Look: 2011 MINI Countryman

All auto makers are gearing up for the forthcoming Auto Shows.  Mini is also working towards launching the 2011 Mini Countryman at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. This edition will be available for sale early next year. The 2011 Mini countryman is a name that has been picked up from the original Morris minor two door estate which was found in 1960. This edition is the fourth model in the Mini’s line up.  It is fabulously designed to fill in the gap between two different e classes of Mini vehicles, the classic concept of Mini and a modern crossover or SUV.

The 2011 Mini Countryman will sport four doors and a wide opening rear lid. This edition is quite roomy and features slightly elevated seating position and adequate driving comfort. It is designed keeping the safety of the driver and the passengers in mind. The mini Countryman sports typical features such as powerful stance on the wheels, a high window line, and window graphics extending around the entire vehicle which creates a unique proportion. These features are further accentuated by adding characteristic MINI features such as the roofline, large headlights integrated in the engine lid, , the surrounds on the side direction indicators, hexagon radiator grille and the voluminous wheel aches. The interiors feature four seat and offer an option of three seat bench at no additional cost. The rear seat moves forward to increase the cargo storage area. The cabin sports circular themes, round gauges and centre mounted speedometer. The inner cabin is dressed in cloth upholstery on the seats, contrasting door and centre console inserts, and leather bound steering wheels which gives it a complete Mini look. The engineers have also included a unique Centre Rail, which opens up a number of storage boxes, cup holders, mobile telephones, external audio device and other comfort features.

Mini offers a choice of three gasoline and two diesel options for overseas models while in the US it will offer options of  two engine   the 1.6 liter  four cylinder gasoline engine with fully variable valve timing ,and lift via  Valvetronic  technology which would offer impressive performance and an excellent fuel economy. The MINI Cooper S Countryman additionally includes a direct fuel injections, twin scroll turbocharger and also features fully variable valve management (VVT).  The engine will be teamed with six speed manual transmission or six speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters for pseudo manual control. The 1.6 liter engine generates 120 horsepower and 118 pounds feet of torque while the turbocharged Mini Cooper S delivers 180 horsepower and 177 pounds feet of torque and 192 pound feet with Overboost. The 1.6 liter mill sprints from zero to 60 mph in 10.5 seconds at a top speed of 118 mph while the Cooper S will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds at a top speed of 128 mph. The Cooper S Countryman offers an option of ALL4 all wheel drive system which would sport an electro hydraulic differential positioned directly on the final drive which would vary the distribution from front to rear In a normal driving scenario half of the engine power transfers to the rear wheel and under extreme conditions complete power gets transferred to the rear wheels.

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