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Mini is looking to replace its current Countryman with a new, more rugged version, according to Autocar. The second-generation Countryman SUV is expected to go on sale late next year.
Sources at BMW say the new Countryman will be an “authentic SUV,” and will be offered with the same all-wheel drive system as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. It will take cues from the extreme Mini X-Raid, a beefed-up Countryman that has won the Dakar Rally four times since 2012.
The new model will be based on the same UKL architecture as the Cooper hardtop, Clubman, and new BMW X1, and will offer more interior space than its predecessor. From the outside, the new Mini Countryman may only grow by a hair, measuring about 10 mm wider than the current model.
Last year, Mini executives revealed that the brand was trying to consolidate its lineup with fewer models. That strategy means focusing on Mini’s bread-and-butter cars including the traditional Cooper hardtop, spacious Countryman, and the versatile Clubman. But apparently, Mini has also decided to keep the Cabriolet model, and will likely introduce a Superleggera spin-off version. If Mini is indeed sticking to its five-model strategy, that leaves one Mini car yet to be announced.
What could be in store for Mini’s final car? Rumors are swirling that Mini is still planning a production version of the Rocketman concept, but other signs point to a new multi-purpose vehicle badged as the Mini Traveller.
Does that mean our current cars are "fake SUV's"? What constitutes an ""authentic SUV"? To me a real SUV has significant off road ability (examples being any model that FCA labels as "Trail Rated" or a Toyota 4Runner) but admittedly with a lot of people that definition has become very cloudy in the last 20 years. Is BMW trying to tell us that the new Countryman will have serious off road ability?
Nobody at BMW was willing to be quoted saying "We are paying a lot of money to win the Dakar with the MINI brand (and BMW engines) and so we want to milk it for all it's worth".
Hahaha, LMAO: "a beefed-up Countryman that has won the Dakar Rally four times since 2012". The xraid car is in no way a beefed-up Countryman. They share maybe the headlights and the general shape/outline, and that's it. Nothing else in common. Engine is BMW inline 6 diesel, frame and suspension and everything is 100% custom. Oh, maybe they also use the MINI logo/emblem as another shared component.
No matter the lack of commonalities between xraid and CM, the CM is plenty beefy and has a great drivetrain. Plenty beefy for most drivers. I think this is all just marketing mumbo-jumbo.
The Mini Countryman and Nissan Juke have both started the trend of modern mini SUVs that are based on unibody contruction since early 2010s.
And who would argue with Wikipedia? OK, so a lot of people! Maybe that's one take on it, and I am not sure they were the first of the type (thinking all the brands with compact SUV/CUV models and front/all wheel drive), but the JUKE is so....FUGLY! It looks like a sci-fi transporter failure where parts weren't assembled right at the destination! YUCK!
I've had "SUV's" since 1986, from a Bronco II to a Bronco to an Explorer to a Blaser to an Edge (ok, maybe that is some other "UV") but off road wasn't really the reason. The "sport" (or "crossover") tag means a lot of different things to different people. Towing, pet cages, a covey of childrens, foul weather etc. To me the Countryman has it's "sport" in the handling and acceleration while the "utility" is in providing a bit of room for cargo when needed and in the ALL4, the right drive for weather. I would never consider it as an "off-road" vehicle. If mine is off road, call for help!
IMO, BMW "SUVed" the R60 by jacking up the ride height a few inches beyond where it should naturally be. Sorry for the bad pic, but you can see how the R60S is so tall compared to the STI and Acura next to it.
SUV is a marketing department driven market segment, and BMW needed to diversify the product line.
It will be interesting to see the dimensions of the new Countryman. The new Clubman might be a better option for me.
01-01-2016, 04:02 AM
