Mini will launch a four-strong model line-up of the new Countryman SUV when it arrives Down Under towards the end of March.

MINI AUSTRALIA has released pricing and key features for its all-new Countryman range which is due to launch here in late March. Bigger inside and out than the old model, the new Countryman will be available in both 2WD and all-wheel drive variants and with petrol and diesel engines.

Speaking at last week’s BMW Range Day, MINI Australia boss Tony Sesto said “The new MINI Countryman introduces the excitement of the MINI range to the Premium Compact segment.

“It’s the perfect car for families to enjoy an active lifestyle, with ample space, comfort and high efficiency from the new engine family. The standard advanced safety systems add further peace of mind.”

Read Paul Horrell’s pre-launch review of the 2017 Mini Countryman Cooper SD ALL4 HERE.

2017 Mini Countryman pricing:

Mini Countryman Cooper – $39,900+ORC;

Mini Countryman Cooper D – $43,900+ORC;

Mini Countryman Cooper S – $46,500+ORC; and

Mini Countryman Cooper SD ALL4 – $51,500+ORC.

The biggest change for the new Countryman is on the inside, where interior space has grown offering an extra 59mm of elbow room, 50mm more shoulder room and 9mm more headroom, and 50mm more rear legroom. The back seat offers 40:30:40 split fold and you can drop the individual seats via straps at the base of the seat back, while the rear seat backs can be adjusted from -1.5-28.5 degrees.

While I wasn’t able to drive the Countryman at the preview event last week… the launch is next month, I was able to sit in the back and there was plenty of room for me in all three seats, although the middle seat really is more of a perch than a seat for an adult. When travelling with just two people in the back, a panel folds out becoming an elbow rest and revealing two clever cup holders (Cooper S variant and above).

The boot is 100 litres bigger at 450 litres with the rear seats in place. The boot features a false floor and there’s a cost-optional rear bumper protector/picnic bench which folds out to keep the bumper from becoming scratched when loading and unloading gear. The tail-gate is powered as standard across the range.

The engines range from a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol making 100kW and 220Nm of torque, a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel making 110kW and 330Nm of torque, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 141kW and 280Nm of torque, and a tweaked version of the 2.0L T/D engine that makes 140kW and 400Nm of torque in the top-spec Cooper SD ALL4 variant.

2017 Mini Countryman key features:

Mini Cooper Countryman

• Key specification over predecessor model:
• Six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission
• Reversing Camera
• Front park distance control
• Park assist
• Comfort access
• Active Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’ function, operable between 0-140km/h
• Driver Assistant Package (includes Forward Collision Warning, City Collision
• Mitigation (AEB), High Beam Assistant and Speed Limit Info)
• DAB+ digital radio
• 18-inch light alloy wheels with run-flat tyres
• Automatic tailgate operation
• MINI logo projection

Mini Cooper D Countryman – Key specification over predecessor model:

• Eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission
• Reversing Camera
• Front park distance control
• Park assist
• Comfort access
• Active Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’ function, operable between 0-140km/h
• Driver Assistant Package (includes Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation (AEB), High Beam Assistant and Speed Limit Info)
• DAB+ digital radio
• 18-inch light alloy wheels with run-flat tyres
• Automatic tailgate operation
• MINI logo projection

Mini Cooper S Countryman – Key specification over predecessor model:

• Eight-speed Steptronic sports automatic transmission
• MINI Driving Modes
• Reversing camera
• Front park distance control
• Park assist
• Comfort Access
• Active Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’ function, operable between 0-140km/h
• Driver Assistant Package (includes Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation (AEB), High Beam Assistant and Speed Limit Info)
• DAB+ digital radio
• Rear armrest with cupholders
• LED headlights with cornering function
• Automatic tailgate operation
• MINI logo projection

Mini Cooper SD ALL4 Countryman – Key specification over predecessor model:

• Eight-speed Steptronic sports automatic transmission
• MINI Driving Modes
• Reversing camera
• Front park distance control
• Park assist
• Comfort Access
• Active Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’ function, operable between 0-140km/h
• Driver Assistant Package (includes Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation (AEB), High Beam Assistant and Speed Limit Info)
• DAB+ digital radio
• Rear armrest with cup holders
• LED headlights with cornering function
• Automatic tailgate operation
• MINI logo projection

There is a raft of cost-optional packages for the Mini Countryman, including:

Chili package – $1500 for Cooper and Cooper D

• LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
• LED foglights
• Adaptive cornering lights
• Driving modes

John Cooper Works Chili package – $4900 for Cooper and Cooper D, $3600 for Cooper S and Cooper SD All4

• JCW aerodynamics package with modified front and rear aprons and rear spoiler
• Roof rails and side sills in Piano Black or Satin Silver
• 18-inch John Cooper Works ‘Thrill Spoke’ light-alloy wheels
• MINI Driving Modes and Performance Control (Cooper/Cooper D)
• Choice of Dynamic Damper Control or Sports Suspension
• Leather Cross Punch upholstery in Carbon Black
• John Cooper Works leather steering wheel (Cooper/Cooper D)
• John Cooper Works gear shift lever
• John Cooper Works door sill finishers
• Anthracite roof lining

Road Trip package – $750 for Cooper and Cooper D, $500 for Cooper S and Cooper SD

• Picnic bench rear seat
• Rear-seat armrest (Cooper/Cooper D)
• Luggage compartment separating net
• Tyre pressure monitoring system

Multimedia Pro package – $2400

• Professional navigation with 8.8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition and 3D mapping
• 12-speaker harman/kardon Hi-Fi system
• Head Up Display

Convenience package – $2150

• Electric front seats with memory function and electrically-adjustable lumbar support
• Alarm with illumination of roof-mounted aerial fin when armed
• Interior and exterior mirror package

Climate package – $2400

• Panoramic electric glass sunroof
• Sun protection glazing
• Heated seats for driver and front passenger