THE 2020 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN S ALL4
MINI COOPER CONTINUE THEIR PROUD LEGACY WITH THE LATEST COUNTRYMAN DESIGN.
Over the years, we at FACT Qatar have had the privilege of test driving some of the finest motorcar brands to grace the streets. We have however, not had the opportunity to experience the iconic British brand, MINI Cooper, in a test drive setting.
That is, until now, when we finally received our chance with the new MINI Cooper Countryman S ALL4. Despite the modern look of the new Countryman, this car is all MINI in all the right places. The typical three-part structure of the vehicle is highlighted by the model-specific roofline, whilst the car’s increased ground clearance and overall upright stature indicate a spacious interior.
The distinctive front design is complemented by the newly developed radiator grille, with its hexagonal contours, red “S” and single chrome strut, surrounded by a slim, one-piece chrome frame.
The structure of the new bumper covering, now entirely in body finish, adds to the vehicle’s premium appearance, with the distinctive, slightly asymmetrically rounded LED headlamps and LED fog lights fitted as standard. At the flanks, 19-inch Edged Spoke, light alloy wheels with run flat tyres contribute towards the high-end look of the Countryman, whilst at the back end, the rear LED lights with chrome frame, light up in the shape of the Union Jack.
As far as the overall body finish is concerned, there is a range of colour and accessory options available, allowing you to customise your MINI to better suit your personality and style. As we eased ourselves into the welcoming comfort of the cabin, the supportive, electrically adjustable, front sport seats with memory function on the driver’s side, ensured we were in the optimum position to enjoy our MINI experience.
The sport leather steering wheel has been superbly designed and feels great in hand. All of the materials used are of a high-quality, giving the Countryman a luxurious feel. We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of room on offer, with plenty of head, shoulder and legroom throughout the vehicle, including three fully-fledged seats available in the rear.
This feeling of openness is amplified by the Countryman’s tastefully designed, panoramic glass roof. The boot offers 450 litres of storage space, a volume that is increased to 1390 litres when the rear seats are folded down. Plenty of room for a family airport run.
The Piano Black interior surfaces for the cockpit and door bezels, along with Dark British Oak accentuation strips are fitted as standard in the Countryman. However, new options and a further developed MINI product range, allow you to increasingly customise your vehicle to match your style.
Also available are various leather variants for the upholstery as well as an expanded colour line for the lower section of the instrument panel and door trim. A multitude of equipment feature options are available for this MINI Cooper, including a new digital instrument panel with a 5-inch display that sits behind the steering wheel.
The Connected Media and Connected Navigation Plus options are available as an alternative to the basic configuration, both including an 8.8-inch colour touchscreen, located in the central console. The Connected Media option includes a wide range of MINI Connected digital services, ensuring the new MINI Countryman is always online, allowing seamless integration of the voice assistant Amazon Alexa.
This feature provides access to the Real Time Traffic Information service, the internet platform, MINI Online, as well as preparation for Apple CarPlay. The Connected Navigation Plus option makes available a range of additional infotainment functions and also includes wireless charging for compatible mobile phones.
We found these additional features to be functional and easy to navigate. The splendour of the exterior and interior aside, MINI Coopers are best known for the fun they provide on the roads. The MINI Countryman S ALL4 boasts a 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with optimised MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology and emission control that ensures CO2 emissions meet the rigorous 6d Euro emission standard. This model has an engine capacity of 1998 ccs and produces 189 hp.
It offers a top speed of 260 km/h and can shoot from 0 – 100 km/h in seven seconds. The 8-speed Sport automatic transmission allows for the seamless shifting of gears and provides the perfect amount of power to the wheels at all times. The ALL 4, all-wheel drive system increases traction, agility and driving stability, allowing one to feel in complete control throughout the driving experience. We thoroughly enjoyed this vehicle and always felt glued to the road, even around tricky bends and tight corners.
MINI Cooper has included a host of safety features in the Countryman to ensure the safety of you and your family. These include Parking Assist, Park Distance Control, a rain sensor, cruise control with braking function, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, as well as a multitude of airbags throughout the vehicle, to name but a few. In fact, the Countryman has been awarded the top 5-star rating for its superior level of safety, in the Euro NCAP crash tests. We found the 2020 MINI Cooper Countryman S ALL4 test drive to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience, one we would highly recommend to all. ✤
“DESPITE THE MODERN LOOK OF THE NEW COUNTRYMAN, THIS CAR IS ALL MINI IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES.”
GO: CALL MINI ALFARDAN AUTOMOBILES SHOWROOM ON +974 4420 8686 TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE OF YOUR OWN.
