Mini India today finally launched the Made in India Mini Countryman C in the Indian market. The new Mini Countryman C will be manufactured locally at the BMW Group plant in Chennai and is priced at Rs 47.5 lakh (ex-showroom). Bookings are already open; Interested customers can book the car exclusively through the mini-dealership, and deliveries will begin soon. The new Mini Countryman C will take on the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA and similarly priced entry-level luxury SUVs.Talking about the engine first, the new Mini Countryman C is powered by a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged engine with 156hp and 240nm. It is mated to a 7-speed DCT gearbox and sends power to the front wheels. The same engine also powers the BMW X1, but here the engine has been tuned to produce more power.The Mini Countryman C can accelerate from 0-100kph in a claimed 9.0 seconds and has a top speed of 212kph. It is equipped with a 60 liter fuel tank and delivers a claimed fuel efficiency of 15.92 kpl. The MINI Countryman is built on the front-wheel drive UKL2 platform, which it shares with the BMW X1, which is also assembled in India.In terms of design, the Mini Countryman C follows the design cues of the JCW and electric versions in terms of overall design elements such as the headlamp design, tail lamps and wheel design. At the front, it gets circular headlamps paired with a more square grille, along with a straighter nose and a revised bumper, giving it a stronger look than the earlier models.
In profile, the design shifts to a more boxy silhouette, with a flat roofline, upright stance and squared-off wheel arches. The longer wheelbase contributes to better proportions and interior space. The rear remains simple, with LED taillamps featuring a modern light signature, clean tailgate design and minimal detailing.Moving on to the inside, it features a revised cabin layout with a focus on a cleaner and more contemporary design while retaining elements of the Kleiner brand. Features include a circular 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen, a head-up display, steering-mounted controls, a 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, a 360-degree camera, panoramic glass roof, powered front seats, wireless phone charging and parking assist. The driver’s seat also includes a massage function.Rear-seat occupants benefit from sliding seats with up to 130mm of adjustment and a 25-degree recline function. Boot capacity is 505 liters and expands to 1,450 liters with the rear seats folded. The SUV also offers connected car technology, ambient lighting, MINI Digital Key Plus and eight MINI Experience drive modes. Its safety suite includes ADAS features such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, attention assist, active pedestrian protection and reversing assist. The Countryman C has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
