We've known the basic spec package of the new MINI Countryman since it was officially unveiled in January, but today MINI has released the full European specs of the vehicle, including several models we're not likely to see in the U.S. Not on the list, however, is the rumored John Cooper Works version. The most interesting new stats in the release are the weights of each model. Hint: it's probably heavier than you'd expect from MINI.
The Countryman will be available in Europe in One, D (for diesel), Cooper, and Cooper S variants, with the Cooper D and Cooper S getting optional ALL4 all-wheel drive. Here in the U.S., we don't expect to see the One or the D versions, meaning all we'll get is the Cooper Countryman and Cooper S Countryman.
That means buyers looking for a sporty all-wheel-drive MINI hatch/crossover will only have one option: the Cooper S ALL4 Countryman. That's not all bad, however, as the Cooper S ALL4 version gets a 180-horsepower turbocharged inline four-banger and a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
But what about the weight? The Cooper S ALL4 Countryman is a bit portlier than its Cooper hatch brethren, weighing in at about 3,201 pounds by EU DIN spec, with the automatic transmission version kicking that up to 3,256 pounds. Performance will no doubt be affected in comparison to the two-wheel drive standard MINI Cooper S, with slower acceleration, longer stopping distance, and lower lateral g-load all probable.
The sans-ALL4 Cooper S Countryman shaves about 160 pounds from its curb weight to end up at about 3,045 pounds, and gets the same engine and transmission options. Whether the all-wheel drive system will provide better acceleration despite the weight disadvantage remains to be seen, as does its actual off-road or soft-road performance.
For the regular Cooper Countryman, which will be the base model in the U.S., saves another 100 pounds over the S, but only gets a 120-horsepower four-cylinder, the same engine found in the base MINI Cooper. For a deeper look at the MINI Countryman from a greener perspective, check out John Voelcker's writeup at GreenCarReports.
If a John Cooper Works version of the MINI Countryman does materialize, expect it to come later in 2011, after the debut of the regular models.
All of these are the official EU specs, however, so there may yet be some minor changes to the numbers when they cross the pond. We'll keep you posted with the latest as MINI rolls the mini-crossover out to U.S. retail sale, which is expected to start early next year.
[MINI]
