First introduced in 1959 by the British Motor Corporation, the original Mini designed by Alec Issigonis captured hearts and minds for a generation. It remained in production nearly unaltered until 2000, when regulations forced change. Beloved for its compact size and regarded for its excellent fuel efficiency, and sporty handling, it was not lost on BMW that the Mini brand held immense value. A few years before the end of the run, BMW acquired Mini and the reimagining of the small car began. The result came to market in 2001. While it grew in stature, it maintained its iconic design and fun-to-drive character. What also grew was the Mini model lineup. On this day in 2010 Mini unveiled the production version of the Mini Countryman.
The Mini Countryman is a subcompact crossover SUV that was and is the largest model in the Mini lineup. The first generation Countryman (R60) hit the market for the 2011 model year, sitting on the same platform as the second generation Mini Hatch. It could be had with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and enhanced versions of Mini’s 1.6 liter four banger, both turbo and non. A 2.0L engine could also be had. If you prefer to row your own gears, you’d have six slots to choose from, or you could opt for an automatic transmission.
The second generation Countryman (F60) arrived in 2017 and rides on the UKL platform, which is shared with other BMW Group models such as the BMW X1. The updated Mini Countryman is longer and wider than the previous model. It is now available as an hybrid Mini as well.
What is the current Mini Cooper lineup?
The current Mini Cooper vehicle lineup includes several different models:
- Mini Cooper Hardtop: This is the classic Mini Cooper model and is available in two-door and four-door configurations. It is available in three different trims: the base, S, and John Cooper Works (JCW).
- Mini Cooper Convertible: This is an open-top version of the Mini Cooper Hardtop and is available in two-door configuration. It is also available in three different trims: the base, S, and John Cooper Works (JCW).
- Mini Cooper Clubman: This is a larger version of the Mini Cooper Hardtop and is available in a four-door configuration. It is also available in three different trims: the base, S, and John Cooper Works (JCW).
- Mini Cooper Countryman: This is a subcompact crossover SUV and is the largest model in the Mini lineup. It is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations and is available in three different trims: the base, S, and John Cooper Works (JCW).
- Mini Cooper Electric: This is a fully electric version of the Mini Cooper Hardtop and is available in two-door configuration, it is only available in one trim.
The Mini Cooper lineup also includes a variety of special editions and package options. Some of these include the Mini Cooper Seven, Mini Cooper S E All4, and the Mini John Cooper Works GP. All these models give you a variety of options to choose from to suit your needs and preferences.
