Let's Drive! The 2011 Mini-Cooper Countryman S

What a fun-time we had with the 2011 Mini-Cooper Countryman S at the Car Concerns Radio Proving Grounds this week!

The Countryman is the Mini-Cooper at the max, and the first with four side doors and optional all-wheel drive. It has a real volume of space and fits four adults with ease. The 2011 Mini-Cooper Countryman S has substantially more cargo volume than other Minis. Yet the Countryman retains the look and fuel economy that have established Mini as a premium go-to brand among small cars and their growing fan base. It for the most part, retains what Mini likes to call go-kart handling.

The grille of the Countryman's is more upright than that on other Mini models. With big and oblong, the headlight clusters that standout on this Countryman rather than classic Mini round, with two pipes for main beams and a ring of LED elements that serve as daytime running lights. This Countryman's front bumper has ducts in the corners under the bumper that direct airflow to cool the front brakes.

The Countryman side view features what Mini designers call a helmet roof. It's less flat and more domed than that on other Mini models. The Mini Cooper Countryman will offer wheels ranging from 16 to 19 inches in diameter. Its rear hatch is bigger than that on other Minis, and it opens higher. This 2011 Countryman is unique in the Mini line, but it absolutely will not be mistaken for any other brand on the road. The 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman commands respect!

The Countryman's gauges and switches will look familiar to current Mini owners. With larger door openings, the 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman S is accessible to climb into, and its front seat bottoms are nearly three inches higher than those in other Mini models. That makes for a more confident view outward. The passenger cabin is truly an automotive engineering marvel.

The Countryman's rear seat is the largest difference in 2011. Each side slides fore and aft by up to 5.1 inches, allowing the Countryman's operator to maximize either rear-passenger or cargo space. With the seats moved back to maximum depth, there's plenty of head and leg room for rear passengers six feet tall, and still 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space (about the same as the trunk in the typical subcompact sedan). With the rear seats folded, the Countryman's cargo volume increases to 41.3 cubic feet, and that space is assessable through both the rear side doors and the hatch.

Like other Mini models, the Countryman is offered in two basic trim levels, and with the same engines. And those engines will be upgraded across the line for 2011. Improvements to Mini's 1.6-liter four-cylinder include new accessories that draw less power from the engine to improve fuel economy, and Valvtronic variable valve timing rocks!

The Mini's Centre Rail storage and fastening system is a standard feature on all Countryman models. Centre Rail is two aluminum rails running lengthwise through the middle of the interior in place of a conventional center console. Various devices, such as cup-holders, storage boxes, trays or armrests can be mounted and locked anywhere along the rails to the driver or passengers' preference. Options will include audio upgrades, a navigation system, a large panoramic sunroof and adaptive xenon headlights.

The first Countryman models have reached select U.S. dealerships, with the national pipeline filling by the spring selling season. Car Concerns Radio would guess that the base model will start at about $25,000. The Countryman S will add $3,000-$4,000 to the base price, with ALL4 all-wheel-drive adding another $1,800-$2,000. Loaded, and fitted with some of Mini's customizable features, the Countryman's should easily stretch into the $30,000 to $35,000 range.

The 2011 Countryman's ALL4 sends 100 percent of drive torque to the front wheels until it detects slip, whereupon the electronically controlled center couple sends torque rearward. It's not a high-speed system, though, and it shuts down at freeway speeds (140 km/h, or 87 mph).

Customization options include exterior graphics and paint combinations and special interior colors, upholstery and trim.

Talking about fun. Let's Drive!

Recorded on May 10, 2011 by Cat Smith Photo Shoots.


New 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman Specifications
Body Exterior, Pin stripe, Spoiler, Bumpers, body-color, Roof rack rails only, 4 doors, Power door mirrors, Heated door mirrors, Door mirrors body-color, Door mirrors chrome, Auto-dimming door mirrors

Convenience Features: Illuminated entry, Rear door bins, Telescoping steering wheel,
Overhead console, Automatic temperature control, 1-touch up Remote keyless entry, Tilt steering wheel, Passenger vanity mirror, Driver door bin, Garage door transmitter, Navigation system

Front beverage holders,Rear beverage holders,Passenger door bin,Power windows,1-touch down, Power moon-roof,Power 2nd row moon-roof, Air conditioning,Speed control, Auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Driver vanity mirror

Entertainment Features: Speakers 6, Speakers 10, Wireless connectivity, CD player,
MP3 decoder, AM/FM radio, Radio data system, Diversity antenna Steering wheel mounted audio controls, Lighting, Visibility and Instrumentation, Variably intermittent wipers,Tachometer, Rear window defroster, Outside temperature display,
Reverse sensing system, Rain sensing wipers, High intensity discharge headlights,
Front reading lights, Trip computer, Fully automatic headlights, Speed sensitive wipers, Delay-off headlights, Low tire pressure warning, Headlight cleaning, Rear window wiper, Front fog lights

Powertrain: Fuel tank capacity 12.4gal. Transmission, 6 speed manual. Engine liters
1.6. Cylinder configuration I-4. Torque 114 lb.-ft. @ 4,250RPM. Number of valves
16 Variable valve control. Sequential multi-point fuel injection.

Horsepower 121hp @ 6,000RPM. Recommended fuel premium unleaded
Transmission 6 speed automatic Manual-shift auto Steptronic Mode select transmission.
Limited slip differential.

Drive type: front-wheel

Fuel economy highway 35mpg...Fuel economy city 27mpg

Safety and Security, Perimeter/approach lights, ABS brakes, 4 wheel disc brakes
Panic alarm, Brake assist, Dual front impact airbags, Overhead airbag, Occupant sensing airbag, Traction control, Ignition disable, Security system, Electronic stability, Dual front side impact airbags.

Seats and Trim, Leather steering wheel, Sport steering wheel,Front seats bucket,
Rear seats bucket, Leather upholstery, Split folding rear seat,Max seating capacity
4, Front center armrest with storage,Heated front seats, Rear seat center armrest,

Specs and Dimensions: Front headroom 1,013mm (39.9"), GVWR: 1,750kg (3,858lbs),
GVWR:1,780kg (3,924lbs), Curb weight: 1,340kg (2,954lbs), Front legroom: 1,026mm (40.4"), Rear legroom: 859mm (33.8")

Engine bore x stroke 77.0mm x 85.8mm (3.03" x 3.38"), Compression ratio 11.00 to 1
Exterior height 1,562mm (61.5"), Turning radius 5.8m (19.0'), Rear headroom 953mm (37.5"), Exterior body width 1,788mm (70.4"), Wheelbase 2,596mm (102.2"), Front shoulder room 1,341mm (52.8"), Rear shoulder room 1,323mm (52.1").

Engine displacement 1.6 L, Engine horsepower 121hp @ 6,000RPM, Engine torque
114 lb.-ft. @ 4,250RPM, Curb weight 1,370kg (3,020lbs), Exterior length 4,107mm (161.7").

Suspension/Handling: Rear tires 205/50HR17.0, Wheel size 17", Four wheel independent suspension, Wheel size 18",Sport suspension, Front anti-roll bar, Rear anti-roll bar,
Rear tires 225/45VR18.0, Power steering, Speed-sensing steering, Alloy wheels, Front tires, 205/50HR17.0, Front tires 225/45VR18.0.

Warranty, Roadside assistance coverage 48 months/ unlimited distance. Maintenance warranty 36 months/36,000 miles. Corrosion perforation warranty 144 months/unlimited distance. Basic warranty 48 months/50,000 miles. Powertrain warranty 48 months/50,000 miles.


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