Countryman – All about car

Mini will follow up the updates to the rest of its range with a revised Countryman, due next year. The crossover is the British maker’s newest model, but was first launched in 2017, so 2020 falls perfectly in line with the usual timeframe of a mid-cycle update. Prototypes have been spotted with disguised front and rear ends, so we’re expecting mild revisions to the grille, bumpers and lights as part of a minor facelift. An introduction of adaptive matrix-beam LED headlights is also on the cards, alongside standard LED tail-lights that bring the now-familiar Union Jack, new personalisation options and a fresh range of wheel designs. The majority of the changes are likely to be aesthetic. Recent range updates have boosted standard equipment across other Minis, so that should also be the case with the Countryman. The recently updated Clubman also featured a new sports suspension option with 10mm lower ride height. Engine choices should remain familiar and include a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol in the Cooper, a 189bhp four-cylinder in the Cooper S and the newly launched John Cooper Works model, with a new 302bhp 2.0-litre engine. A 148bhp Cooper D diesel will also be retained, though it’s not clear yet if mild-hybrid tech will be needed by Mini to reduce its fleet average CO2 figures in time for 2021’s emissions regulation changes. Expect more details of the Audi Q2 rival to emerge early next
Origin: New Mini Countryman 2020 facelift seen in disguise

Earlier this year we hyped the news of the 300-horsepower John Cooper Works GP, the most powerful production Mini to date, and now it’s our duty – and pleasure, really – to report that both the JCW Clubman and Countryman models will get a similar boost in power and performance during their upcoming refreshes. Mini announced mid-May the hot hatches will come fitted with 2.0-litre inline-fours taken from the Countryman and Clubman S models and modified to produce 301 horsepower (up from 189) and 331 lb.-ft of torque. To achieve this, JCW tweaked the crankshaft and compression ratio, and upgraded bearings, pistons, turbocharger and connecting rods. That’s allegedly enough to get the JCW Clubman from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, and the Countryman over the line in 5.1 seconds. JCW may have been benevolent with the power, but it did withhold a little when it came to the transmission. Both models will get an eight-speed auto (with paddle shifters, mind you) as standard for now, but optimists will have to reserve hope for later convertible or hardtop versions to include manual transmissions. All-wheel-drive with locking front differential is also standard, keeping the Mini in front-wheel-drive configuration until a loss of traction is detected. To increase rigidity and remove weight, the vehicles’ chassis and axles were adjusted, with adaptive dampers made optional on both models. And to distinguish them as members of the JCW crew, the pair get a red bar across the front grille, badges up front and on the rear, red brake calipers and the option for a red roof and matching mirror caps. Nineteen-inch wheels are also available as an optional upgrade from the 18-inch wheels that come standard. The new JCW Clubman and Countryman will go on sale this summer. Prices have yet to be announced.
Origin: Mini gives the refreshed JCW Clubman and Countryman 300 horsepower