MINI Cooper S Countryman 1.6 ALL4 (A) Review
11 Mar 2011|16,915 views
The Cooper S Countryman (CSC) comes nearly 10 years after BMW's remake of the original MINI. The new model arrives at a time where the original enthusiast buyers would have grown up a little and are looking around for a more practical option beyond the Mini Cooper Coupe, Cabriolet or Clubman.
The latest CSC pays quiet homage to the original Countryman that came with only two doors and wooden panelling on the outside of its station wagon exterior.
Its descendant though has grown both in size and number of doors on its SUV-esque crossover platform.
The CSC is an all-new MINI that is developed on an all-new platform. This explains why its origins are not in Oxford but Austria at the Magna-Steyr facility.
The same folks who've been breathing life into some of the most emotive automotive works of art in recent times.
Their latest projects include the mind-numbingly elegant Aston Martin Rapide and the delectably gorgeous Peugeot RCZ.
The latest CSC pays quiet homage to the original Countryman that came with only two doors and wooden panelling on the outside of its station wagon exterior.
Its descendant though has grown both in size and number of doors on its SUV-esque crossover platform.
The CSC is an all-new MINI that is developed on an all-new platform. This explains why its origins are not in Oxford but Austria at the Magna-Steyr facility.
The same folks who've been breathing life into some of the most emotive automotive works of art in recent times.
Their latest projects include the mind-numbingly elegant Aston Martin Rapide and the delectably gorgeous Peugeot RCZ.
 |
Exterior
Walking up to the CSC, you'll see that while the overall dimensions of the car has grown up a bit, quite a few design features of the original Mini Cooper Coupe lives on.
The CSC has retained the doe-eyed headlamps though in this case, they've been stretched back slightly to accommodate the longer bonnet on the Countryman. While the body panels seem to have been stretched to create the larger dimensions, the floating roof seems to have remained unchanged.
Overall, the height, width and length of the car have increased significantly. to the original MINI, the Countryman seems to be a Cooper S gone wild on steroids.
 |
Interior
Coming from the original MINI, the most noticeable change once settled in the Countryman is the significantly elevated command position. Surely it's something the enthusiasts among you would take some getting used to. The MINI banks itself on offering a fun, quirky and perky sort of motoring. Thus the designers have sought to reflect that same philosophy on the inside.
Settling into the commanding driver's seat, you feel well supported and cocooned in the lounge like seat of the CSC. These seats don't look it but they do hold you in place reasonably well during those lateral adventures.
Facing the driver is the familiar, conservatively proportioned steering that you've come to love in the original MINI. Here, the diameter seems to have remained unchanged as in the Coupe, which is a joy as we loved its modest diameter and chunky grip.
The BMW engineers have kept things simple by placing minimalistic buttons on both spokes. The instrument cluster too is in keeping with the MINI's simplicity. The tachometre is reduced to a pod that hangs in front of the steering while the larger than life speedo remains on the centre console.
Drivers who prefer a more conventional angle for the speedo will be glad to know that a small digital readout is encased within the tachometer. Hidden behind the steering are the tactile and ultra cool matt black paddle shifts.
Coming from the original MINI, the most noticeable change once settled in the Countryman is the significantly elevated command position. Surely it's something the enthusiasts among you would take some getting used to. The MINI banks itself on offering a fun, quirky and perky sort of motoring. Thus the designers have sought to reflect that same philosophy on the inside.
Settling into the commanding driver's seat, you feel well supported and cocooned in the lounge like seat of the CSC. These seats don't look it but they do hold you in place reasonably well during those lateral adventures.
Facing the driver is the familiar, conservatively proportioned steering that you've come to love in the original MINI. Here, the diameter seems to have remained unchanged as in the Coupe, which is a joy as we loved its modest diameter and chunky grip.
The BMW engineers have kept things simple by placing minimalistic buttons on both spokes. The instrument cluster too is in keeping with the MINI's simplicity. The tachometre is reduced to a pod that hangs in front of the steering while the larger than life speedo remains on the centre console.
Drivers who prefer a more conventional angle for the speedo will be glad to know that a small digital readout is encased within the tachometer. Hidden behind the steering are the tactile and ultra cool matt black paddle shifts.
The centre console has undergone a revolution of sorts with the biggest change coming from the screen framed by the large retro speedo. MINI (or BMW) calls it Visual Boost which is essentially a simplified BMW iDrive system that controls all the multimedia functions found in the CSC.
The funky graphics and colours combined with the CSC's interior mood lighting help to create a lively atmosphere within the cabin. The Graphics User Interface feels intuitive to use and most drivers shouldn't have problems getting the hang of it in a jiffy.
The classic/funky interior is further boosted by the 50s era bombproof switches one use to find on old radios that give the interior an old world charm. We couldn't help ourselves playing with those chunky switches all day long
Owners have the option of customising the rear seat configuration of the CSC to best suit their needs. For maximum occupancy, one could opt for the three seater rear bench.
Our test unit came with the two seat configuration in the rear with the optional Centre Rail storage system that allows you to accessorise it with cup holders, sunglasses box or a handphone holder.
The seat themselves do a great impression of a throne by providing your rear occupants with limousine levels of comfort and space. Even a long limbed passenger like myself found the rear seats well within my comfort level.
The funky graphics and colours combined with the CSC's interior mood lighting help to create a lively atmosphere within the cabin. The Graphics User Interface feels intuitive to use and most drivers shouldn't have problems getting the hang of it in a jiffy.
The classic/funky interior is further boosted by the 50s era bombproof switches one use to find on old radios that give the interior an old world charm. We couldn't help ourselves playing with those chunky switches all day long
Owners have the option of customising the rear seat configuration of the CSC to best suit their needs. For maximum occupancy, one could opt for the three seater rear bench.
Our test unit came with the two seat configuration in the rear with the optional Centre Rail storage system that allows you to accessorise it with cup holders, sunglasses box or a handphone holder.
The seat themselves do a great impression of a throne by providing your rear occupants with limousine levels of comfort and space. Even a long limbed passenger like myself found the rear seats well within my comfort level.
 |
For those who've suffered the frankly anaemic boot capacity of the MINI will be ecstatic over the amount of usable cargo carrying capacity in the CSC.
Even with the seats up, one can easily fill four crates of wine in the boot without issues (as shown in the pics below).
To maximise the load capacity further, the folding seats easily frees up even more usable space. For those with a number fetish, the CSC loads up to 450 litres with the seats up and 1170 litres with them down.
The CSC's interior is a joy to be in especially at night when the purple mood lighting is emanating from the door panels and centre rail. We also love the BMW levels of fit and finish and the tactility of the plastics and durability of the switches.
With that being said, the interior does suffer a bout of silliness in the form of its large moon roof. This might not have been as big an issue in its home country but in our equatorial climate, the perforated roof lining tends to turn the CSC's cabin into a bit of a glasshouse even with the aircon on its coldest setting.
The Drive
The MINI Countryman is available in two 1.6-litre variants and the 'S' on the back of our test unit denotes this as the one with a twin-scroll blower under the bonnet.
The CSC gets the familiar Prince powerplant that's in the Cooper S which means power figures are similar at 184bhp and 240Nm (Overboost: 260Nm).
When push comes to shove, the engine's overboost function momentarily unleashes the full 260Nm of torque when it detects a more aggressive throttle input.
Even with the seats up, one can easily fill four crates of wine in the boot without issues (as shown in the pics below).
To maximise the load capacity further, the folding seats easily frees up even more usable space. For those with a number fetish, the CSC loads up to 450 litres with the seats up and 1170 litres with them down.
The CSC's interior is a joy to be in especially at night when the purple mood lighting is emanating from the door panels and centre rail. We also love the BMW levels of fit and finish and the tactility of the plastics and durability of the switches.
With that being said, the interior does suffer a bout of silliness in the form of its large moon roof. This might not have been as big an issue in its home country but in our equatorial climate, the perforated roof lining tends to turn the CSC's cabin into a bit of a glasshouse even with the aircon on its coldest setting.
The Drive
The MINI Countryman is available in two 1.6-litre variants and the 'S' on the back of our test unit denotes this as the one with a twin-scroll blower under the bonnet.
The CSC gets the familiar Prince powerplant that's in the Cooper S which means power figures are similar at 184bhp and 240Nm (Overboost: 260Nm).
When push comes to shove, the engine's overboost function momentarily unleashes the full 260Nm of torque when it detects a more aggressive throttle input.
Unlike the MINI's FWD system the CSC gets all its four wheels turning through the optional ALL4 system. Although in most circumstances, the system behaves more like a FWD system than its namesake. But when a slip in the rear is detected, the system is able to send up to 50 percent of torque aft through a clutch pack on the rear axle. This system also effectively cures the CSC from the torque steer that plagues turbocharged MINIs.
Despite the larger dimensions, the CSC is still a hoot to throw around the bends. Although not as sharp as the mini MINI, the steering remains gleefully chirpy. Body roll is expectedly more considering the car's taller ride height but the chassis maintains great body control despite the fact. Not significantly different from the rest of the MINI line-up.
While the ride might be a little firm at times, it is never uncomfortable and the CSC remains a joy to drive even on long trips. Especially so for the rear seat passengers.
During the course of our test drive, we unwittingly tested the CSC's excellent brakes which saved this journalist from being splattered across the back of a sweeper truck (with no early warning signs or lights) that was allowed on the first lane of the PIE at 1230hrs in the morning.
Conclusion
If you were afraid that practicality might've stolen the peppy drive of the MINI from the CSC, I'm happy to report that the Countryman remains a car with tight steering, responsive manners and abundance of power.
It will still put a smile on your face as you're flinging it from apex to apex and with a lot more cargo in the back no doubt.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Despite the larger dimensions, the CSC is still a hoot to throw around the bends. Although not as sharp as the mini MINI, the steering remains gleefully chirpy. Body roll is expectedly more considering the car's taller ride height but the chassis maintains great body control despite the fact. Not significantly different from the rest of the MINI line-up.
While the ride might be a little firm at times, it is never uncomfortable and the CSC remains a joy to drive even on long trips. Especially so for the rear seat passengers.
During the course of our test drive, we unwittingly tested the CSC's excellent brakes which saved this journalist from being splattered across the back of a sweeper truck (with no early warning signs or lights) that was allowed on the first lane of the PIE at 1230hrs in the morning.
Conclusion
If you were afraid that practicality might've stolen the peppy drive of the MINI from the CSC, I'm happy to report that the Countryman remains a car with tight steering, responsive manners and abundance of power.
It will still put a smile on your face as you're flinging it from apex to apex and with a lot more cargo in the back no doubt.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
The Cooper S Countryman (CSC) comes nearly 10 years after BMW's remake of the original MINI. The new model arrives at a time where the original enthusiast buyers would have grown up a little and are looking around for a more practical option beyond the Mini Cooper Coupe, Cabriolet or Clubman.
The latest CSC pays quiet homage to the original Countryman that came with only two doors and wooden panelling on the outside of its station wagon exterior.
Its descendant though has grown both in size and number of doors on its SUV-esque crossover platform.
The CSC is an all-new MINI that is developed on an all-new platform. This explains why its origins are not in Oxford but Austria at the Magna-Steyr facility.
The same folks who've been breathing life into some of the most emotive automotive works of art in recent times.
Their latest projects include the mind-numbingly elegant Aston Martin Rapide and the delectably gorgeous Peugeot RCZ.
The latest CSC pays quiet homage to the original Countryman that came with only two doors and wooden panelling on the outside of its station wagon exterior.
Its descendant though has grown both in size and number of doors on its SUV-esque crossover platform.
The CSC is an all-new MINI that is developed on an all-new platform. This explains why its origins are not in Oxford but Austria at the Magna-Steyr facility.
The same folks who've been breathing life into some of the most emotive automotive works of art in recent times.
Their latest projects include the mind-numbingly elegant Aston Martin Rapide and the delectably gorgeous Peugeot RCZ.
|
Exterior
Walking up to the CSC, you'll see that while the overall dimensions of the car has grown up a bit, quite a few design features of the original Mini Cooper Coupe lives on.
The CSC has retained the doe-eyed headlamps though in this case, they've been stretched back slightly to accommodate the longer bonnet on the Countryman. While the body panels seem to have been stretched to create the larger dimensions, the floating roof seems to have remained unchanged.
Overall, the height, width and length of the car have increased significantly. to the original MINI, the Countryman seems to be a Cooper S gone wild on steroids.
|
Interior
Coming from the original MINI, the most noticeable change once settled in the Countryman is the significantly elevated command position. Surely it's something the enthusiasts among you would take some getting used to. The MINI banks itself on offering a fun, quirky and perky sort of motoring. Thus the designers have sought to reflect that same philosophy on the inside.
Settling into the commanding driver's seat, you feel well supported and cocooned in the lounge like seat of the CSC. These seats don't look it but they do hold you in place reasonably well during those lateral adventures.
Facing the driver is the familiar, conservatively proportioned steering that you've come to love in the original MINI. Here, the diameter seems to have remained unchanged as in the Coupe, which is a joy as we loved its modest diameter and chunky grip.
The BMW engineers have kept things simple by placing minimalistic buttons on both spokes. The instrument cluster too is in keeping with the MINI's simplicity. The tachometre is reduced to a pod that hangs in front of the steering while the larger than life speedo remains on the centre console.
Drivers who prefer a more conventional angle for the speedo will be glad to know that a small digital readout is encased within the tachometer. Hidden behind the steering are the tactile and ultra cool matt black paddle shifts.
Coming from the original MINI, the most noticeable change once settled in the Countryman is the significantly elevated command position. Surely it's something the enthusiasts among you would take some getting used to. The MINI banks itself on offering a fun, quirky and perky sort of motoring. Thus the designers have sought to reflect that same philosophy on the inside.
Settling into the commanding driver's seat, you feel well supported and cocooned in the lounge like seat of the CSC. These seats don't look it but they do hold you in place reasonably well during those lateral adventures.
Facing the driver is the familiar, conservatively proportioned steering that you've come to love in the original MINI. Here, the diameter seems to have remained unchanged as in the Coupe, which is a joy as we loved its modest diameter and chunky grip.
The BMW engineers have kept things simple by placing minimalistic buttons on both spokes. The instrument cluster too is in keeping with the MINI's simplicity. The tachometre is reduced to a pod that hangs in front of the steering while the larger than life speedo remains on the centre console.
Drivers who prefer a more conventional angle for the speedo will be glad to know that a small digital readout is encased within the tachometer. Hidden behind the steering are the tactile and ultra cool matt black paddle shifts.
The centre console has undergone a revolution of sorts with the biggest change coming from the screen framed by the large retro speedo. MINI (or BMW) calls it Visual Boost which is essentially a simplified BMW iDrive system that controls all the multimedia functions found in the CSC.
The funky graphics and colours combined with the CSC's interior mood lighting help to create a lively atmosphere within the cabin. The Graphics User Interface feels intuitive to use and most drivers shouldn't have problems getting the hang of it in a jiffy.
The classic/funky interior is further boosted by the 50s era bombproof switches one use to find on old radios that give the interior an old world charm. We couldn't help ourselves playing with those chunky switches all day long
Owners have the option of customising the rear seat configuration of the CSC to best suit their needs. For maximum occupancy, one could opt for the three seater rear bench.
Our test unit came with the two seat configuration in the rear with the optional Centre Rail storage system that allows you to accessorise it with cup holders, sunglasses box or a handphone holder.
The seat themselves do a great impression of a throne by providing your rear occupants with limousine levels of comfort and space. Even a long limbed passenger like myself found the rear seats well within my comfort level.
The funky graphics and colours combined with the CSC's interior mood lighting help to create a lively atmosphere within the cabin. The Graphics User Interface feels intuitive to use and most drivers shouldn't have problems getting the hang of it in a jiffy.
The classic/funky interior is further boosted by the 50s era bombproof switches one use to find on old radios that give the interior an old world charm. We couldn't help ourselves playing with those chunky switches all day long
Owners have the option of customising the rear seat configuration of the CSC to best suit their needs. For maximum occupancy, one could opt for the three seater rear bench.
Our test unit came with the two seat configuration in the rear with the optional Centre Rail storage system that allows you to accessorise it with cup holders, sunglasses box or a handphone holder.
The seat themselves do a great impression of a throne by providing your rear occupants with limousine levels of comfort and space. Even a long limbed passenger like myself found the rear seats well within my comfort level.
|
For those who've suffered the frankly anaemic boot capacity of the MINI will be ecstatic over the amount of usable cargo carrying capacity in the CSC.
Even with the seats up, one can easily fill four crates of wine in the boot without issues (as shown in the pics below).
To maximise the load capacity further, the folding seats easily frees up even more usable space. For those with a number fetish, the CSC loads up to 450 litres with the seats up and 1170 litres with them down.
The CSC's interior is a joy to be in especially at night when the purple mood lighting is emanating from the door panels and centre rail. We also love the BMW levels of fit and finish and the tactility of the plastics and durability of the switches.
With that being said, the interior does suffer a bout of silliness in the form of its large moon roof. This might not have been as big an issue in its home country but in our equatorial climate, the perforated roof lining tends to turn the CSC's cabin into a bit of a glasshouse even with the aircon on its coldest setting.
The Drive
The MINI Countryman is available in two 1.6-litre variants and the 'S' on the back of our test unit denotes this as the one with a twin-scroll blower under the bonnet.
The CSC gets the familiar Prince powerplant that's in the Cooper S which means power figures are similar at 184bhp and 240Nm (Overboost: 260Nm).
When push comes to shove, the engine's overboost function momentarily unleashes the full 260Nm of torque when it detects a more aggressive throttle input.
Even with the seats up, one can easily fill four crates of wine in the boot without issues (as shown in the pics below).
To maximise the load capacity further, the folding seats easily frees up even more usable space. For those with a number fetish, the CSC loads up to 450 litres with the seats up and 1170 litres with them down.
The CSC's interior is a joy to be in especially at night when the purple mood lighting is emanating from the door panels and centre rail. We also love the BMW levels of fit and finish and the tactility of the plastics and durability of the switches.
With that being said, the interior does suffer a bout of silliness in the form of its large moon roof. This might not have been as big an issue in its home country but in our equatorial climate, the perforated roof lining tends to turn the CSC's cabin into a bit of a glasshouse even with the aircon on its coldest setting.
The Drive
The MINI Countryman is available in two 1.6-litre variants and the 'S' on the back of our test unit denotes this as the one with a twin-scroll blower under the bonnet.
The CSC gets the familiar Prince powerplant that's in the Cooper S which means power figures are similar at 184bhp and 240Nm (Overboost: 260Nm).
When push comes to shove, the engine's overboost function momentarily unleashes the full 260Nm of torque when it detects a more aggressive throttle input.
Unlike the MINI's FWD system the CSC gets all its four wheels turning through the optional ALL4 system. Although in most circumstances, the system behaves more like a FWD system than its namesake. But when a slip in the rear is detected, the system is able to send up to 50 percent of torque aft through a clutch pack on the rear axle. This system also effectively cures the CSC from the torque steer that plagues turbocharged MINIs.
Despite the larger dimensions, the CSC is still a hoot to throw around the bends. Although not as sharp as the mini MINI, the steering remains gleefully chirpy. Body roll is expectedly more considering the car's taller ride height but the chassis maintains great body control despite the fact. Not significantly different from the rest of the MINI line-up.
While the ride might be a little firm at times, it is never uncomfortable and the CSC remains a joy to drive even on long trips. Especially so for the rear seat passengers.
During the course of our test drive, we unwittingly tested the CSC's excellent brakes which saved this journalist from being splattered across the back of a sweeper truck (with no early warning signs or lights) that was allowed on the first lane of the PIE at 1230hrs in the morning.
Conclusion
If you were afraid that practicality might've stolen the peppy drive of the MINI from the CSC, I'm happy to report that the Countryman remains a car with tight steering, responsive manners and abundance of power.
It will still put a smile on your face as you're flinging it from apex to apex and with a lot more cargo in the back no doubt.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Despite the larger dimensions, the CSC is still a hoot to throw around the bends. Although not as sharp as the mini MINI, the steering remains gleefully chirpy. Body roll is expectedly more considering the car's taller ride height but the chassis maintains great body control despite the fact. Not significantly different from the rest of the MINI line-up.
While the ride might be a little firm at times, it is never uncomfortable and the CSC remains a joy to drive even on long trips. Especially so for the rear seat passengers.
During the course of our test drive, we unwittingly tested the CSC's excellent brakes which saved this journalist from being splattered across the back of a sweeper truck (with no early warning signs or lights) that was allowed on the first lane of the PIE at 1230hrs in the morning.
Conclusion
If you were afraid that practicality might've stolen the peppy drive of the MINI from the CSC, I'm happy to report that the Countryman remains a car with tight steering, responsive manners and abundance of power.
It will still put a smile on your face as you're flinging it from apex to apex and with a lot more cargo in the back no doubt.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Photos by Benjamin G, Kline
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Car Information
MINI Cooper S Countryman 1.6 ALL4 (A)
CAT A|Petrol|11.2km/L
Horsepower
137kW (184 bhp)
Torque
240 Nm
Acceleration
8.3sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used MINI Cooper S Countryman
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