So it’s back with a bang, the Mini Countryman second generation is launched with the dynamic, designer family in mind. It’s referred to as an SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) and looking to compete in the premium compact class. The Mini is gunning for the Audi Q2 and Nissan Qashqai territory. It wants the prestige of Audi with the Qashqai’s sales.
We were at Southside Studios to catch the launch of the Mini, where new and old were preened under the studio’s catwalk lights. The real world test would come later, with a nearly three hour drive to Fermanagh, starting in Dublin City and taking us across Ireland’s scenic routes (and some of it’s finest tolls).
Back in Southside Studios we’re given a presentation on what Mini wish to achieve with the Countryman. It’s the largest Mini to date, all dimensions have increased along with considerably more powerful and fuel efficient engines with state of the art in-car tech. On test today are a selection of ALL4 all-wheel drive, the standard two wheel drive version and some lovely Cooper S Countrymen (sic). The standard spec of the car includes Mini Nav, Mini Connected (including a downloadable app), a lovely leather multi-function steering wheel and cruise control, something that should be specced on more Irish cars until we reach full autonomous driving capability.
The Mini Connected app is a fun little companion to the on-board technology which has been specifically developed for MINI. It integrates the entertainment and online functions of your smartphone into the car. Depending on your model, you can either use your standard smartphone cable or Mini’s specific Y-cable.
The night before the test drive, I installed the app onto my smartphone and started planning the journey for the following day. It took the stress out of having to jump into an unfamiliar car and mess about with yet another manufacturer’s sat nav. As it turns out the sat nav is quite user friendly anyway but it was still fun to be able to plan the journey ahead on my phone and integrate it seamlessly with the car.
So onto the test drive, the 2.0 Cooper D Countryman that we were handed the keys to, with 150hp in manual guise, starts at €36,140. You can literally feel the quality, which is nice as you’ll be touching these fabrics a lot. Standing outside the Countryman and sitting inside are like two different worlds. Outside is all big curves and bubbles.
A portion of the Countryman’s expansion has come in the form of boot space. It’s now 200mm longer, 30mm wider and has a 75mm longer wheelbase. There’s much more room than before and even slightly more space than a Nissan Qashqai. The low load lip means you don’t have too much difficulty loading bulky items. There’s also an added storage compartment pack which adds a lockable variable height boot floor.
Inside is all business, including the driver focused attitude (you can thank the Bavarian Motor Werken crew for the dynamics). It handles like a powerful nippy pup. You can’t hear the engine except in all the right places. At higher speeds it’s hard to tell if you’re in third or sixth gear as it pulls smoothly.
After three hours of driving we all got out and felt pretty fresh. No one complained of any back aches, ear aches or otherwise. Which is commendable a) as we all had Diesel cars b) the route was a good mix of town, motorway and countryside roads. I do think it’s suited to the longer country stints, the deep clutch and preppy pedals in the manual would probably quickly tire in heavy traffic. And if you are going to be sitting in traffic a lot, then I’d recommend to go automatic. There’s nothing like saving a few grand on a hip replacement by spending a few dollars more specifying auto.
As Mini would like to point out, their new Countryman is part adventurer when it’s not at home. So we were taken on a tour of the Marble Arch Caves, one of the finest Geoparks in Europe. The millennia old caves, house some stunningly old stalactites and stalagmites within caverns, lofty chambers and winding rivers along which you can also take a boat tour.
And so to our final destination, Finn Lough Resort with it’s quirky Bubble Dome experience. It’s like camping in the wilderness but with all the creature comforts of a fine hotel; under floor heating, hot water shower/bath, plumbed toilet & sink but with a full view of the night sky from your bed. Sleeping under the stars is a surreal experience to be treasured. It’s not quite the same as camping, in that you’re completely warm and dry and all you have to do from your bed is look up and the entire galaxy is there in it all it’s glory. It’s a truly exceptional way to sleep.
The point Mini are making is quite clear, you like the country with the fresh air and open road but you don’t like to get too dirty.
And so to the return journey back to the city. There are no qualms or concerns really. The cabin is cosy and it’s a great place to spend long distances in. The Mini layout is specific to Mini and so you accept it for what it is. One oddity is the fuel gauge located to the right of the main speed dial. A streak of orange bars which are all fully lit when the tank is full but one by one they turn off as the fuel depletes. It’s not a very exact science and I’m sure there’s probably a warning light that comes on to warn that a fuel stop is needed. The only way of gauging how much fuel you’ve used is be resetting the trip meter after each pit stop. So with Mini you already know what you’re getting yourself into, it’s a very distinctive design on the outside and opulent inside. The Mini brand is highly regarded and with the new Countryman is bigger and badder (in the best sense of the word).
Special mention : The cabin/boot is much bigger now and the Connected app is great fun
Needs work : The driver sits very close to the all encompassing steering wheel and the footwell is very deep. Clutch travel is long and I imagine this would be troublesome in daily traffic.
Specs:
| Max Power 150hp | Diesel |
| 0-100 kph in 10.9s | Road Tax €200 |
| Price OTR €38,533 | Claimed economy 67.3 mpg (claimed) |
| Boot Capacity 450/1309 litres | Manual |