On board, the MINI drops cute for disco, funk and a little rock & roll. The centre console is loaded, much like those that attended Studio 54. There are toggle switches midway down for the windows and numerous other functions. Above, you'll find a MINI logo which doubles as the HVAC controls. Funky. Below are more buttons, this time controlling fog lights, stability control and the very important “Sport” mode. Rock & roll!
This small unassuming piece of plastic manipulates the Countryman’s full potential. It permits the mini-like 1.6L turbo 4-pot's 181 hp to be unleashed. Unleashed may be a bit much to describe the Countryman's go. In S ALL4 trim, the Countryman tips the scale at nearly 150 kg (330 lb) more than a Cooper S. Acceleration times remain brisk but not as snappy as a Cooper's.
Mending the gap betwixt the wheels and the engine is a chunky 6-speed manual gearbox. Its shifter's action is heavy and requires a firm hand to coax into each cog. After a day or two, the synchronization between brain, feet and right hand perfects and a real bowl-full of pleasure can be had.
Every German car offers up a spot-on driving position. ‘Tis the case here. The perches hug and hold the occupants in comfort, everything falls into place and in no time at all, all I ever wanted to do is go for a drive.
In a week's time, I covered close to 1,000 km. Impressively, and despite my best efforts at doing the opposite, the Countryman did very well at the pumps. In 60/40 highway/city driving, the car cared only for 9L of fuel per 100 km. A more reasonable person could probably knock off nearly 1L per 100 km.
 |
| On board, the MINI drops cute for disco, funk and a little rock & roll. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
This small unassuming piece of plastic manipulates the Countryman’s full potential. It permits the mini-like 1.6L turbo 4-pot's 181 hp to be unleashed. Unleashed may be a bit much to describe the Countryman's go. In S ALL4 trim, the Countryman tips the scale at nearly 150 kg (330 lb) more than a Cooper S. Acceleration times remain brisk but not as snappy as a Cooper's.
Mending the gap betwixt the wheels and the engine is a chunky 6-speed manual gearbox. Its shifter's action is heavy and requires a firm hand to coax into each cog. After a day or two, the synchronization between brain, feet and right hand perfects and a real bowl-full of pleasure can be had.
Every German car offers up a spot-on driving position. ‘Tis the case here. The perches hug and hold the occupants in comfort, everything falls into place and in no time at all, all I ever wanted to do is go for a drive.
In a week's time, I covered close to 1,000 km. Impressively, and despite my best efforts at doing the opposite, the Countryman did very well at the pumps. In 60/40 highway/city driving, the car cared only for 9L of fuel per 100 km. A more reasonable person could probably knock off nearly 1L per 100 km.
 |
| The perches hug and hold the occupants in comfort. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |