MINI Launches the New Countryman in Singapore! #AddStories #AddStoriesSG

Mr. Peter Medalla, Head of MINI Asia said, “The second generation MINI Countryman advances the brand within the premium compact segment. It has a powerful expressive design, efficiently shaped bodywork and unmatched driving agility. MINI has a strong following in Singapore and we believe the new MINI Countryman is the car they have longed to drive every day, everywhere, for every occasion. We are confident that the new MINI Countryman will deliver fun and excitement every time you get behind the wheel.

The new MINI Countryman is some 20 centimetres longer than its predecessor and approximately 3 centimetres wider. Its wheelbase has been extended by 7.5 centimetres. This growth results in significantly increased space on five fully-fledged seats as well as a definite increase in storage volume and luggage transport versatility. The raised seating position ensures an excellent view and hallmark driving fun.

The rear seats can be shifted longitudinally by up to 13 centimetres. The folding rear backrest offers a 40:20:40 split. It also provides a variable tilt angle so as to be able to either increase seating comfort or gain additional storage space at the rear. The luggage compartment volume is 450 litres and can be extended as required to a total of 1,390 litres. This constitutes a maximum increase of 220 litres as compared to the predecessor model.

An electric tailgate control makes touchless opening and closing of the tailgate possible in conjunction with Comfort Access. The standard storage package comprises of not only a variable load floor, lashing eyes and tension straps but also a stainless steel insert on the loading sill. One unique feature is the Picnic Bench – a flexible surface that folds out of the luggage compartment and provides seating for two people.

The latest generation of the MINI Countryman goes even further in terms of the model’s versatility, agility and premium character. Thanks to its powerful proportions, the new MINI Countryman has a particularly distinctive presence. Its unmistakable aura is defined by an extended ground clearance and raised seating position, further emphasised by the MINI ALL4 exterior look (for Cooper S variant only) and high roof rails. The new MINI Countryman features design elements that are typical of the brand, including the clear three-way structure of the side view – broken down into roof, glass section and main corpus – as well as the short overhangs, large wheel arches and downward increase in width.
Precise contours on the generous surfaces create an attractive play of light and shade that underscores the car‘s athletic shaping and the vertical orientation of the body. The selection of body finishes includes the variants Island Blue metallic and Chestnut, which are now available for a MINI for the first time. Numerous model-specific design elements such as the striking helmet roof, the upright rear lights, the hexagonal radiator grille and the large headlamps have undergone evolutionary development. The side turn indicator surrounds known as side scuttles exhibit a new arrow-like shape. The roof rails in satin-finished aluminium are combined with silver-coloured side sill tops, thereby lending greater visual emphasis to the car’s height. Horizontal lines dominate at the rear, with the vertically arranged light units providing an appealing contrast.
The striking profile of the headlamp units deviates from the circular shape that is otherwise typical of the brand. Their distinctive, slightly asymmetrically rounded contour goes together with the radiator grille to produce an unmistakable front view. The parking lights integrated in the air inlets are used for the daytime driving light as standard. In conjunction with the standard LED headlamps, the latter is generated for the first time by a band of light running entirely around each headlamp.

In the interior of the new MINI Countryman, a clear increase in space, refined premium ambience and a modern display and operating concept reflect the progress achieved through the change of generation. Both driver and front passenger benefit from extended head and shoulder space, while the adjustment range of the seats has also been enlarged. Electrical adjustment of the driver and front passenger seats is available as standard, including a memory function on the driver‘s side. The narrow body columns and the high seating position make for optimum visibility when manoeuvring. At the rear of the new MINI Countryman there are three fully-fledged seats. The rear door openings have been enlarged as compared to the predecessor model, now enabling a more convenient entrance and exit. In addition to interior width, leg space is now significantly more generous, too.
The extensive storage facilities likewise contribute to the car’s optimised functionality. At both front and rear, there are door pockets that hold one-litre beverage bottles. The fully-fledged centre console extending up to the instrument panel has an integrated storage compartment and two cup holders in front of the gear or selector lever. The MINI Controller and the switch for the electrical parking brakeare also positioned on the centre console.

With a clear horizontal structure, stretched lines and generously sized surfaces, the distinctively designed cockpit emphasises the solid character of the new MINI Countryman. The profile of the air vents echoes the vertical orientation of the exterior design elements. In addition to the high-quality materials and precise finish, the modern, ergonomically optimised controls contribute to the car’s exclusive ambience. The hallmark central instrument is integrated in the instrument panel and is surrounded by an LED ring that provides a lighting display in response to driving situations by way of control feedback. This forms part of the MINI Excitement Package, which also comprises of the LED ambient lighting and a projection of the MINI logo from the exterior mirror on the driver’s side when opening and closing the car.

The high-quality suspension of the new MINI Countryman combines the tried-and-tested principle of a single-joint spring strut axle at the front and a multilink rear axle with a design that is optimised for weight and rigidity as well as a model-specific set up. This lays the foundation for precise handling properties and maximum agility. In addition to this there is an electromechanical steering with Servotronic function, powerful brakes and Dynamic Stability Control DSC. 17-inch light alloy wheels come as standard with the new MINI Cooper Countryman, while the new MINI Cooper S Countryman is fitted with 18-inch light alloy wheels. The program of optional extras includes other light alloy wheels in sizes of up to 19 inches.
Dynamic Damper Control is optionally available for the new MINI Cooper Countryman and standard on the new MINI Cooper S Countryman. Two program maps can be activated for the electronically controlled dampers via the MINI Driving Modes. A rotary switch at the base of the gear or selector lever enables the driver to select a set-up according to one of the three modes MID, SPORT and GREEN. This also influences the accelerator pedal and steering curve, the operating mode of electrically powered comfort features and the engine sound and shift characteristics of the Steptronic transmission, depending on engine and fittings.

The standard fittings of the new MINI Countryman include the Radio MINI Boost with four-line display in the central instrument and a Bluetooth hands-free telephone facility. Features include the Radio MINI Visual Boost with 6.5-inch colour display (standard on Cooper variant), the Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system and the MINI navigation system Professional (standard on Cooper S variant). The features of the Wired package (standard on Cooper S variant) including MINI navigation system Professional comprises of not just the Touch Controller on the centre console but also an 8.8-inch colour screen in the central instrument with a new graphic design. It is also a touchscreen, allowing functions to be selected and adjusted at the tip of the finger.

In conjunction with the Wired package and the MINI navigation system Professional it is possible to use another function developed exclusively for the new MINI Countryman that taps into the new model’s all-round talent in a way that is both innovative and entertaining. The MINI Country Timer registers all travel over sloping, uneven, unsurfaced and snow-covered roads and tracks.

As soon as the new MINI Countryman moves on demanding terrain, the type and extent of the challenge are detected and shown on the display in the central instrument by means of graphics. The driving situation is analysed based on data supplied by the control unit of the Dynamic Stability Control function. In this way it is possible to observe how fast and how persistent the new MINI Countryman is surpassing the status of “Street Cruiser” and striving to achieve the “Cliff Champ” category.

Driving fun in the new MINI Countryman is based not just on versatility but also on safety and comfort. The standard and optional driver assistance systems are a key factor here. The optional collision warning with city braking function can be extended to include the Driving Assistant system with the optional camera-based active cruise control, pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection. In addition to this, Park Distance Control front, Park Distance Control rear, rear view camera and Parking Assistant are all standard on the new MINI Cooper S Countryman while the Head-Up-Display is also optionally available.
The program of standard equipment items further includes a 2-zone automatic air conditioning, an optional panorama glass roof and an optional alarm system including red LED status indicator in the fin antenna. The broad range of exterior paint finishes, seat upholstery types and interior surfaces enables individualisation of the new MINI Countryman in a way that reflects personal style. With the MINI Yours Interior Styles option available in three variants, the striking interior surface design in the cockpit is highlighted by means of backlit decorative strips. An atmospheric mood is also created by the lighting package comprising LED interior lighting and LED ambient lighting; the latter forms part of the MINI Excitement Package and offers continuously variable colour adjustment.

Connectivity also moves into a new dimension with the launch of the new MINI Countryman. MINI Connected now goes beyond the familiar in-car infotainment functions to become a personal mobility assistant as part of a holistic concept that provides support for individual mobility planning outside the vehicle, too. Based on a flexible platform, the Open Mobility Cloud, MINI Connected integrates the vehicle seamlessly into the MINI driver’s digital life via touchpoints such as the Apple iPhone and Apple Watch.

At the heart of this connectivity in the new MINI Countryman lies MINI Connected, the personal mobility assistant available to MINI drivers with new innovative services as of October 2016. Here, individual mobility planning enables punctual, stress-free a rival at appointments. And mobility doesn’t start in the car: MINI Connected informs the driver of the optimum departure time based on calendar entries and current traffic data.

Address data and appointments saved by the driver previously on a smartphone via MINI Connected are automatically transferred to the car and do not have to be entered in the navigation system again. MINI Connected can also save regularly visited places as favourite destinations and it detects frequently covered routes such as the daily run between home and work so as to be able to inform the driver in the event of unexpected traffic delays.
Another new feature in the area of connectivity is MINI Find Mate. This forms part of the Wired package and consists of so-called tags with a wireless tracking function that can be attached to frequently used objects and travel items such as bags, cases, key rings and rucksacks. MINI Find Mate is able to track the location of any such objects connected the system that the driver wants to be sure not to forget: tracking is done not only on the on-board computer of the new MINI Countryman but also on a smartphone. Providing there is a Bluetooth connection with the tag, an acoustic signal can be activated in the car or on the smartphone to help locate the object. If the tag is outside the Bluetooth range, the driver can be guided to the place at which a connection was last detected.