Mini India today finally launched the India-made Mini Countryman C in the Indian market. The new Mini Countryman C will be locally manufactured at BMW Group’s plant in Chennai and will be priced at Rs 47.5 lakh (ex-showroom). Reservations are now being taken; Interested customers can book the car exclusively through a Mini dealer and deliveries will begin soon. The new Mini Countryman C will compete with the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA and other similarly priced entry-level luxury SUVs.Talking about the engine first, the new Mini Countryman C is equipped with a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder turbo engine that produces 156 hp and 240 nm. It is mated to a 7-speed DCT gearbox and sends power to the front wheels. The same engine does the job in the BMW X1, but here the engine is tuned to produce more power. Mini Countryman C accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds and has a top speed of 212 km/h. It is equipped with a 60 liter fuel tank and has a claimed fuel efficiency of 15.92 kpl. The MINI Countryman is built on the front-wheel-drive UKL2 platform it shares with the India-assembled BMW X1.In terms of design, the Mini Countryman C follows the design cues of the JCW and electric versions in terms of common design elements such as headlight design, taillights and wheel design. At the front, there are round headlights, a steeper nose and a revised bumper combined with a more square-shaped grille, giving it a more powerful look compared to the previous models.
In profile, the design changes to a more boxy silhouette with a straight roofline, upright stance and square wheel arches. A longer wheelbase contributes to improved proportions and interior space. The rear remains simple, with a modern lighting signature, clean tailgate design and LED taillights with minimal details.Moving inside, it features a redesigned cabin layout with a focus on a cleaner and more modern design while retaining core brand elements. Features include a circular 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen, head-up display, steering wheel-mounted controls, 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, 360-degree camera, panoramic glass roof, power front seats, wireless phone power and park assist. The driver’s seat also includes a massage function.Rear seat occupants benefit from sliding seats with up to 130mm of adjustment and up to 25 degrees of recline. The volume of the luggage is 505 liters and increases to 1450 liters when the rear seats are folded. The SUV also offers connected car technology, ambient lighting, MINI Digital Key Plus and eight MINI Experience driving modes. Its safety suite includes ADAS functions such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, alertness assist, active pedestrian protection and reverse assist. The Countryman C earned a five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP.
