India-bound 2017 MINI Countryman revealed, will debut at 2016 LA Auto Show

Will be launched in Europe in February 2017.

The 2017 MINI Countryman has been officially revealed and will have its stage debut at the 2016 LA Auto Show next month. The all-new Countryman is the biggest MINI launched in the company's 57-year history.

With an evolutionary design, the second generation MINI Countryman has appreciably stayed closed to the original model while bringing subtle changes for a more mature look. Like the first-gen, the second-gen model has a little uniqueness to its face, thanks to the distinctive headlamps. The all-new Countryman is 20 mm longer and approximately 3 mm wider, and has a 7.5 mm longer wheelbase. As one would expect, the interior is borrowed from other recent family models.

The second-gen MINI Countryman is underpinned by the UKL front-wheel drive platform. It will be launched with four engine options - two petrol and two diesel - as listed below:

• MINI Cooper Countryman: 1.5-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine developing 100 kW (136 hp) and 220 Nm of torque.
• MINI Cooper S Countryman: 2.0-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine developing 141 kW (192 hp) and 280 Nm of torque.
• MINI Cooper D Countryman: 2.0-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine developing 110 kW (136 hp) and 330 Nm of torque.
• MINI Cooper SD Countryman: 2.0-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine developing 140 kW (190 hp) and 400 Nm of torque.

Transmission choices include 6-speed manual, 6-speed Steptronic automatic and 8-speed Steptronic automatic.

Additionally, the range includes a new plug-in hybrid variant - the first for a MINI - called the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4. Its powertrain consists of a combination of the 100 kW (136 hp) 1.5-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine and a 65 kW (88 hp) electric motor which make 165 kW (224 hp) and 385 Nm of torque working together. The combustion engine is linked to the 6-speed Steptronic automatic transmission which directs drive to the front wheels, while the electric motor transfers power to the rear axle using a two-stage single-speed transmission.

The best aspect of the plug-in hybrid variant is its average fuel consumption, which is 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres (47.62 km/l). The CO2 emissions in the EU test cycle is exceptionally low at just 49 g/km. In pure electric mode, the car can be driven at speeds of up to 125 km/h, and with efficient driving, a range of 40 km can be covered.

Noteworthy features of 2017 MINI Countryman are, LED headlamps with peripheral daytime driving light ring, 19-inch light alloy wheels, Dynamic Damper Control, Head-Up Display, 8.8-inch touchscreen MINI navigation system Professional with Touch Controller on the centre console, Harman Kardon hi-fi sound system, LED interior lighting and LED ambient lighting.

The 2017 MINI Countryman will be built alongside the MINI 3-door and MINI Convertible by VDL Nedcar in Born, Netherlands. It will go on sale in Europe in February 2017 and markets outside Europe in March 2017. Its Indian sales could commence in late 2017 or in early 2018.