Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mini unleashes big bag of Countryman prototype photos, model details]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/18/mini-unleashes-big-bag-of-countryman-prototype-photos-model-det/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/18/mini-unleashes-big-bag-of-countryman-prototype-photos-model-det/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/18/mini-unleashes-big-bag-of-countryman-prototype-photos-model-det/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mini Countryman prototype undergoing testing - Click above for high-res image gallery

The maxiest Mini is coming in the next few months in the form of the long anticipated Countryman crossover, and BMW has dropped a pile of fresh photos of largely de-swirlied prototypes along with details on the powertrains and trim levels. In Europe, at least, the Countryman will be offered with five engine options, including two diesels.

The trim levels start off with the Mini One and One D, Cooper D and Cooper S. All of those get the latest updated MINI 1.6-liter four-pots with all three gas engines now equipped with BMW's Valvetronic full variable valve control. The top 181 horsepower Cooper S now has the same direct injection system previously used on the John Cooper Works models, but for now there is no full JCW Countryman being offered. American buyers will likely only have access to the gas powered Cooper and Cooper S.

Every Countryman gets a six-speed transmission in either manual or automatic form, and the Countryman is also the first Mini to be offered with all-wheel drive. The system, dubbed ALL4, uses an electromagnetically controlled center differential to distribute up to 100 percent of the drive torque to whichever axle has more grip. The Countryman is also the first Mini to have true four passenger seating and even has an option for a three passenger rear bench seat. The full release is available after the jump.


Gallery: Mini Countryman preview


[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Mini unleashes big bag of Countryman prototype photos, model details

Mini unleashes big bag of Countryman prototype photos, model details originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 May 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>minimini cooper countrymanmini cooper s countrymanmini countrymanmini countryman 2011Mini Countryman Crossovermini one countrymanMiniCooperCountrymanMiniCooperSCountrymanMiniCountrymanMiniCountryman2011MiniCountrymanCrossoverMiniOneCountrymanTue, 18 May 2010 15:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19481788/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/18/mini-unleashes-big-bag-of-countryman-prototype-photos-model-det/19481788/article-detail.xml 19481788 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/p90060978-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/p90060978-630.jpg <![CDATA[Geneva 2010: Mini Countryman breaks cover]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/02/geneva-2010-mini-countryman-breaks-cover/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/02/geneva-2010-mini-countryman-breaks-cover/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/02/geneva-2010-mini-countryman-breaks-cover/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Mini Countryman - Click above for high-res image gallery

There were no surprises at the Mini press conference today in Geneva when the covers were lifted off the 2011 Countryman. We got our first look at the brand's first crossover back in January, and we can now fill you in with the full details about the mini-ute. The Countryman is obviously Mini's largest vehicle at just over four meters in length, and its optional ALL4 all-wheel drive system is a first for the brand as well.

Looking at the car in person, not too much has changed in the front of the cabin for the Countryman compared to its two-door counterparts. Aft of the front seats, however, the second set of doors opens up to two individual buckets that should be relatively hospitable for normal sized adults. Leg room doesn't seem to be in abundance, but this is a Mini, of course. A variety of gas and diesel engines will be available in Europe, but American customers can expect the same 1.6-liter inline-fours available in the current Mini range. Check out our live photos in the gallery below or get more details about the Countryman in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Geneva 2010: Mini Countryman


Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Mini Countryman breaks cover

Geneva 2010: Mini Countryman breaks cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 geneva motor show2010GenevaMotorShow2011 mini cooper countryman2011 mini countryman2011MiniCooperCountryman2011MiniCountrymangeneva 2010geneva motor showGeneva2010GenevaMotorShowminimini cooper countrymanmini countrymanMiniCooperCountrymanMiniCountrymanTue, 02 Mar 2010 06:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19379117/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/02/geneva-2010-mini-countryman-breaks-cover/19379117/article-detail.xml 19379117 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/leadcountrymangenevalive_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/leadcountrymangenevalive.jpg <![CDATA[BMW trademarks "Countryman" for Mini crossover name?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/bmw-trademarks-countryman-for-mini-crossover-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/bmw-trademarks-countryman-for-mini-crossover-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/bmw-trademarks-countryman-for-mini-crossover-name/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


MINI Crossover Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Thanks to a few eagle-eyed BMW fans with a handy penchant for tracking trademark filings, we may know the name of the upcoming and oft-spied Mini crossover: the Countryman. If this is indeed the case, the badge would go hand-in-hand with BMW's current naming convention for its Mini line, which includes the extended-length Clubman in addition to the standard Cooper and convertible. We're expecting the new CUV to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in production form as a 2011 model.

Interestingly, BMW also trademarked the name ActiveE, which some are speculating will be the moniker applied to the automaker's upcoming electric vehicles as it matches up quite nicely with BMW's present ActiveHybrid series. Last year, the German automaker reserved the name eDrive, and it seems the two labels could somehow be paired together as part of the company's Project I initiative.


Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept


[Source: German Car Zone via BMW Blog]

BMW trademarks "Countryman" for Mini crossover name? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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