MINI is an Iconic British automotive marque founded in 1969 and owned by the German automotive giant BMW since the 2000s. MINI is a very famous brand known for its unique identity like no other. MINI cars have a charm of their own and all MINIs feature an iconic silhouette and body style till date. They are compact in dimension, look cute, are blissful to drive with punchy performance and agile handling, and the list goes on. There are a ton of reasons to like MINIs (a handful to not like too) and so in this article, we tell you the Top 5 Reasons why you should buy the 2020 MINI Countryman in India!
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The MINI Countryman was first launched in India in 2012 as an alternative to other entry-level luxury SUVs like the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and likes. However, it was brought to India as a direct import CBU (completely built unit) from Oxford and thus was not very accessible. Fast forward to 2018, and BMW India launched the second-generation MINI Countryman in India and it found a lot of takers. It was thoroughly upgraded and was leaps and bounds better than before. Also, it was now assembled in India and got an attractive sticker price.
BMW India has recently updated its entire portfolio to comply with the new stringent BS6 emission norms. The MINI cars have been upgraded too and so we will be discussing the Top Reasons why one should consider the 2020 MINI Countryman as a prospective option worth buying. We will let you know why you should estrange away from the Germans and have a look at this British offering.
Sophisticated Looks
MINI Countryman is a stylish looking car with minimal party tricks. The Countryman has a unique identity of its own. It gets oval-shaped classic headlights with big round LED DRLs and it cannot be mistaken as any other car. It also gets a distinct nose with big fog-lamps, MINI logo embossed on the top, some chrome inserts and bold stripes in contrasting colours which further enhance its appeal. The car also gets a boxy design with large wheel arches and 18-inch alloys, roof rails and the rear houses roof-mounted spoiler, dual exhausts and big Countryman badging on the trunk. Also, it is offered with an array of colour options which make it look even funkier and eye-catchy.
Elegant Interiors
If the exterior design of the Countryman didn't excite you, the interior of this MINI will surely do. It gets a retro appeal loaded with all the modern-day elements. Step inside and you will be welcomed with big round dials of the instrument cluster. It gets a semi-analogue semi-digital console which is mostly occupied by analogue dials and once you open the throttle, the clockwise rotation of the speedo-needle will surely make you feel wow! Also, like all other MINIs, it gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the quality of the materials used all-over is just excellent.
Enthusiastic Drivability yet Frugal
The India-spec 2020 MINI Countryman is available with two engine options and both drives really well. It gets a BS6-compliant 2.0-litre petrol motor that churns out 192 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque with 0-100 kmph coming up in just 7.5 seconds. This engine is offered in two trim levels - Cooper S and Cooper S JCW Inspired. And, while the former comes mated to an 8-speed Automatic Steptronic Transmission, the latter is coupled to an 8-speed Sport Automatic Steptronic Transmission.
The gasoline lovers choose the petrol variants but what sells the most and is loved by all is the oil-burner. The MINI Countryman is the only MINI in India to be offered with a diesel engine option in the BS6 era. It gets a 2.0-litre diesel engine that churns out 190 PS of power and a whopping 400 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed Automatic Steptronic Transmission. This torquey oil-burner is a delight to drive and the car handles brilliantly. Moreover, being a diesel, it returns a very good mileage of 19.19 kmpl (ARAI claimed). The crossover also gets three riding modes - Green, Mid and Sport which alter the engine, gearbox and the steering.
Extortionate Practicality
One interesting fact about the MINI Countryman is that although it is called MINI, it is not mini in size and has wealthy proportions. The crossover measures 4299mm in length, 1822mm in width, and 1557mm in height. It also gets a wheelbase of 2670mm and thus liberates a lot of legroom for the occupants. It has a spacious cabin which is high on practicality as it gets loads of cubby-holes and storage bins along with very comfy seats. The windows and third-quarter glass of the Countryman are pretty large and so despite having an all-black cabin, one won't feel claustrophobic at all. Also, it gets a massive 450-litres of boot space, thus you can very easily take your friends or family for weekend getaways.
Tremendously Affordable
Like we mentioned before, the 2020 MINI Countryman is sold in India in three variants - Cooper S, Cooper S JCW Inspired, and Cooper SD. While the former two are powered by a gasoline engine, the latter munches mile on an oil-burner. The diesel variant Cooper SD is the most affordable of the lot and is priced at Rs. 37.40 lakhs, Ex-showroom for the BS6-compliant model. Interestingly, the BS4 version also used to cost the same and MINI hasn't hiked the price at all.
The petrol variants Cooper S and Cooper S JCW Inspired are priced at Rs. 38.50 lakhs and Rs. 42.20 lakhs, Ex-showroom respectively. While the BS6 version of Cooper S is dearer than the BS4 model by 3.5 lakhs, the BS6-compliant Cooper S JCW Inspired is now 2 lakh rupees cheaper than before. The MINI Countryman comes across as a very interesting package for those who want an astonishing car with punchy performance, brilliant handling, classy looks at an affordable price and want to experience the cheerfulness of owning an Icon!
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What do you think about the 2020 MINI Countryman? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
