The new Countryman John Cooper Works may not be the ultimate Mini in terms of the driving experience. But as a family car, it’s really rather cool.
The Mini Countryman always had the underlying problem of being the least Mini of the whole Mini range. Because, since it was launched in 2010, the Mini has wowed drivers with its typical go-kart handling – and that trait came to define the car and the brand.
Obviously, the expansion of the model line with the Clubman, the Countryman, the Paceman and the five-door version brought the engineers big challenges in terms of still being able to instil that same driving feeling into much bigger and heavier machines. The biggest and heaviest being the Countryman, of course.
Now in its third generation, the Countryman is even more openly an SUV. In fact, in the US, a very important market for the car, it is now categorized as one for the first time due to its size. This thing is longer, wider and taller than, for example, a Nissan Qashqai (!). A Mini only in name then, but, on the other hand, a real family car – and that is how it will be looked at, I have absolutely no doubt. You have a family, and inescapable family duties, but you don’t want to go for a boring-wagon and still crave that Mini badge? The Countryman is for you.
It is built on the same platform as the BMW X1 and BMW X2, with slightly different suspension for a more Mini-like feel. All ICE models come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the top-of-the-range John Cooper Works’ version is four-wheel drive for supreme traction and outrageous performance. Adaptive dampers and sport steering are standard and show Mini means business with the JCW.
The 2-litre turbo engine develops 300 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. They propel this 1660kg car to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds. Top speed is 250 km/h.
In a world that wants us to go full electric, kudos to BMW for allowing its Mini brand to continue to bring such a car to the market – where petrol and oxygen are burnt together in a cylinder to generate energy and forward motion. Quite an interesting concept this combustion thing, isn’t it?
On the road, the Countryman JCW is always faster and more capable than logic would have the driver believe. However, BMW have long been masters of disguising size and heft and offering a rewarding driving experience in cars that should not really have one. Think BMW X5M, for example. Or X6M. Enormous cars with performance to rival a Ferrari that are still capable of entertaining in the corners.
The Countryman has plenty of power and grip and the gearbox, although not the fastest auto in the BMW roster, is good enough. I especially enjoyed the All4 four-wheel drive system. It always feels extremely natural and does not rob any of the playfulness of the chassis – quite the contrary. If anything, it adds to it, creating a fluidity that rivals struggle to emulate. The ride can get a bit tiresome on rougher roads, but that is the price to pay for interesting dynamics in such a big car.
The one thing I could live without would be the fake engine noise coming out of the speakers, but I guess the JCW badge comes with certain implications Mini are not prepared to do without just yet – even if they are fabricated.
Inside, differences abound when compared to the last generation Countryman. The knitted, retro-illuminated dashboard looks cool, whereas the strap that serves as the third spoke on the steering wheel is another distinctive detail. Seats are very good, there is lots (and lots) of space and the rear bench slides forwards up to 13cm to balance leg room and boot capacity. Maximum is 1530 litres with the seats folded and 460 litres with the seats in place.
The round centre screen – the car world’s first circular OLED display – is the pièce de résistance of the cabin and houses Mini Operating System 9 infotainment. It looks spectacular and has tons of features, but it will take some time to learn everything.
Another novelty is the Experience Modes. They alter the engine, gearbox and steering parameters like all other cars do, but add a lot of choices for interior ambience when switching between them. Overall, Mini have cranked quality up a notch and just made the new Countryman’s interior way cooler than before.
The range starts with the €39,900 petrol 1.5 litre model, producing 170 horsepower. The all-electric version is almost here too. And the John Cooper Works is €59,900. The press car I drove and all €11,150 worth of optional extras it came with was €71,050. Yes – seventy thousand euros for a Mini!
Good thing the Countryman, especially this John Cooper Works, is not exactly a mini (small letters) after all, but a high-performance family car with a cool badge, a very cool interior and 300 ponies to play with. It’s really quite expensive, but for some people nothing else will do.
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