4! It is the symbol of this figure Countryman. Since she became the first Mini ever to have 4 side doors, to exceed 4 meters long, and have 4 wheel drive depending on version. A novelty then, that we find here in Cooper S, with 4 wheel drive precisely.
Mini Cooper S Countryman
At first glance, the Mini has a lot of weight compared to the Mini “normal” since it reached 4.11 m in length: it becomes larger than urban women and other gender Clio 207. Also displays the highest since 1.56 m in height gauge, and you’ll note in passing that her height added to the 4 wheel drive and some protective black plastic gives it a vaguely adventurer.
Also note that despite all its differences with its sisters, the Countryman is identified with a glance like a Mini. Our version Cooper S is distinguished by its small additional air intake below the grille and side vents with “S” logo.
Inside, the dashboard shows the brand standards. We find the large central speedometer, paradoxically very readable despite its size. Small chrome switches are chic. The quality of plastics has unfortunately not progressed, but the atmosphere “fun” side gum “cheap” materials. New: Mini created its iPhone application, and as long as you have one and you connect it to the car via this dedicated site, you normally have access to many unique features on the large central screen.
Normally, because apart from the web radios, we do not have such access to much on the internet. To check more, but anyway the interface is weak. Still, the front does not overturn the habits of the mark, because most of the news is located at the rear.
To begin, access has become normal through the doors finally dedicated. Then there is either a bench or two individual seats like here. One or both are available without a price change. The good surprise comes from the livability: two adults take place smoothly and there are at ease, as legroom headroom. The Countryman is better at this point that all the cities. Bravo! In addition, there are modularity since seats slide individually in length, and of course can be let down. Feature: the central rail, which share the front seat, used to install a bunch of accessories, door-lunette cup holder, via the iPod holder.
If you take the seat rail stops naturally at the front seats. Continue towards the back where the trunk, again, is better than most urban as it can pick up 350 dm3, the level of a Golf, that is to say, the upper segment. 4.11 m in length, bravo!
Enough messing around, go on the road. Under the hood, our Cooper S has a 1.6 liter turbo gasoline direct injection develops 184 hp. It is associated with a manual gearbox and AWD system that splits torque 50/50 under normal between the front and rear. The first ride we show a small hollow at low revs, but nothing too bad. The comfort level is rather firm, but the Cooper S with its 17-inch wheels are not dry either. The sound seems well worked, it was feared especially for air noise contour seen rising, but ultimately it is the road noise which seemed the most troublesome.
As for performance, our car swallows the 0 to 100 km / h in 7.9 s, 0.9 s more than a Cooper S “normal. ” This may not seem huge, but sensation was indeed lost in vivacity from the small Mini. Normal, you say, because the difference in weight reached 250 kg anyway. It begins to doubt the performance of engines on the lower Countryman … In addition, the engine must cope with a staging of the box long enough. In behavior, however, is a pleasant surprise. It was indeed feared, given the increased size and height that Countryman become less nimble.
It is not. Management very straightforward and no roll back the feelings are driving the little Mini. The spirit karting is less present because of the higher driving position. But the feelings are quite close and still so pleasant. Damage, however, that the seats are so few lateral .
It remains to discuss one thing: the budget. The standard Mini is considered expensive. It is even harder. Our model without options is thus € 29 700. The Countryman without the 4 wheel drive causes an additional cost of about € 4,000 compared to the normal Mini. 4-wheel drive versions, one should add € 1 700. And here we are almost at 30 000 € for a Mini, without options. In other words, you can still climb well do note.
