MINI Countryman driven

Minimax

This is going to shake a lot of Mini owners to the core but it makes real sense as Mini buyers grow up and need a back seat that works, extra doors for the kids etc. but want to stay in the brand. Having seen how good it works in the metal its a shame they gave you one with weird graphics, just to wind up the anti's even more...

By GarryCB on 20 May, 2010, 7:43am

Issigonis would be turning in his grave

A 4x4 SUV "Mini". This is just wrong, nothing "Mini" about it. It is an irrelevancy as far as the story of the original Mini is concerned.
Genius designer Issigonis would be turning in his grave, he worked hard to package 4 adults, an engine and luggage in a 10 foot box.
For some cynical German designers to take the name and build any old SUV to appeal to the trendy "must sit higher than the proles" market is an insult to his memory.

By sirwiggum on 20 May, 2010, 8:44am

Before the old Mini brigade sound off...

...I thought I'd make my point. The new MINI, though bigger than the first BMW incarnation and much larger than the original, is still impractical as hell! If the driver is 6ft tall, then there's zero legroom for the rear passenger (I know this, as I am 6ft tall and have had numerous MINI courtesy cars - in a comfortable driving position the driver's seat touches the rear seat squab!)

And, in response to GarryCB's comment, thank god the graphics are only meant to disguise! I don't think they'd be popular if they were to appear on the options list!

So, it make sense to supersize again and create a much more practical version. 4 doors and a boot - something that no Mini or MINI driver has enjoyed before. So, the MINI juts went MAXI - and it's about time.

By BARNEYM1979 on 20 May, 2010, 8:48am

What a Joke

What a joke. this so called "MINI" is longer than my Honda Civic with half the room and little of the practicality.
This is an insult to the whole brilliant concept of the origional mini which revolutionized small car design and the brilliant Alec Issigonis. Thank God he is not here to see this abortion.
Wake up Auto Express and tell it as it really is instead of weaving fairy tales for the lame brains.

By AlanShaw on 20 May, 2010, 9:13am

That aint a Mini - its a Maxi! And terrible!

And it really looks like it was designed and put to-gether by pork butchers on a night out! This is really something for stupid proles that think it is connected with Minis?

The German designers from Munich must have been drunk when they thought they could successfully design this one!

Poor old Alex Issigonis would revolve at about 25000 RPM if he saw this "Banger"

One cannot even say nice try - its b.... terrible!

By vandenplas4litre on 20 May, 2010, 9:41am

That aint a Mini - its a Maxi! And terrible!

And it really looks like it was designed and put to-gether by pork butchers on a night out! This is really something for stupid proles that think it is connected with Minis?

The German designers from Munich must have been drunk when they thought they could successfully design this one!

Poor old Alex Issigonis would revolve at about 25000 RPM if he saw this "Banger"

One cannot even say nice try - its b.... terrible!

By vandenplas4litre on 20 May, 2010, 9:41am

Ugly Mini

This looks ridiculous. I like the Mini and its an great little go-kart to drive, but this looks stupid, the clubman looks naff and now this. This one has no character of the original model, if buyers need something bigger than a Mini then fine, but this surely isn't going to be the answer.

By Kingbob12 on 20 May, 2010, 11:42am

FUNNY!

It's funny reading all the comments people make escecialy all the classic fanatics! LOL

Get with the times!!!

By martin17 on 20 May, 2010, 12:36pm

Hideous...

Had a good look at this....and feel that my Skoda Yeti is better looking, more practical, and more fun.

Do you remember the cracks about the BLMC 1800 - "Designed by a Committee, who came up with 40 different designs and they chose the worst ?" Well, that's my view of this.

Smick

By mickguy on 20 May, 2010, 1:24pm

Is this finally the final steroided morphed iteration BMW will screw off the original new Mini?? Really hope so, because there's only so much transparently shameless nicheing a market needs.
As for you martin17......"get with the history". You only 18 or something?
The original Mini was an unashamed revolution in automotive design, and re-wrote history!!

By barina47 on 20 May, 2010, 2:27pm

In retrospect I am surprised at BMW?

I am surprised at the BMW board in Munich that when creating this "Maxi" they did not go the whole hog and have it built at their business partners Brilliance in Shenyang in China?

They could have had it then at half the price of building it from eastern OEM parts in Graz in Austria and made even more profit?

At some stage down the line in the not too distant future BMWs board in their comoplex thinking will flog their Oxford plant to the highest buyer - maybe this would be a good thing?

I am surprised that BMWs offerings bring such praise from the UK mags - the thing in various guises often does not even drive like a Mini! Really the coming new Nissan Juke from Sunderland is the more honest and better car for most customers in the UK instead of them being conned with this Mini Look a Like at a higher price!

By vandenplas4litre on 20 May, 2010, 3:33pm

MINI

To be honest it's got boring, 10 years this has been gonig oo, the classic mini owners hating BMW Mini.

I was a massive fan of the Mini way before the new BMW one was even thought of. Here's a list of good points i think make the BMW Mini a good thing...

The Mini brand can live for another 50 years.

With the new 'Maxi' models it reaches out to new markets so more people can enjoy the ownership of a mini.

The important cfeatures of the classic mini still live on in the BMW versions.

The BMW mini is the most customisable car on the market today meaning there are very few minis that look the same.

The BMW Mini owners love their cars as much as the classic owners with increasing numbers at MINI shows around the contry including all the BMC SHOWS!

By martin17 on 20 May, 2010, 4:16pm

The Ruthless persuit of sales

Nostalgia sells- fact.
The fact that the mini is one of the most recognisable brands in the world means it's gonna sell in practicaly any incarnation the BMW boys decide to punt it out in. I fully expect to see a moke before long to prove this theory to conclusion.
Regardless of what the purists think, what Issigonis would have thought about the pure design and engineering proxcess being more diluted than a Wetherspoons pint, BMW will sell this in milions because it'll be pitched and marketed at the right audience using the right social media and publications.I know this cos I'm their target market, mid 30's wife, young family and I ve owned a Cooper back in 2003 ( new min ) and a "proper" Cooper back in the day too.
It really doesnt matter if it looks 5 hite, or rather could look better, it'll sell on the basis of being a well marketed, manipulated and controlled lifestyle brand which will overshadow the cars dynamic and ergonomic shortfalls. No one buys Ikea furniture cos it's of the best quality, or cutting edge but you re relatively assured of getting an ok product that meets your expectations Only difference between this and the old countryman is that, you re less likely to tearr skin from your knuckles trying to fix the new one as you are from fixing the ikea stuff or the old faithful old school model.

By WeeKaisDa on 20 May, 2010, 4:36pm

Yuck!

The more I look at this thing, the less I like it. When AE first published the news that this car was going to be produced, I had my doubts even then. Looking at these new pics, (even allowing for the ghastly graphics, (which before anyone else comments I KNOW are only there to "disguise it"), (there is no disguising this monstrosity no matter how hard you try), does nothing to change my views one iota. It's ugly and the only thing I can say to MAYBE save it is that it MIGHT look better in the flesh, but somehow I doubt that.

Purist or non purist, a 5 door MINI!!?? Bloody ridiculous and as for martin17's coments about "getting with the times", sorry bud, but that's a ridiculous thing to say and very patronizing.

By nick7 on 20 May, 2010, 6:20pm

GrimeyM

I think BMW have preserved the lines and look of both the original and their new popularised version very well - but on a larger scale.
As an ex- Mini Cooper S owner (which I had to sell when I downsized from 3 to 2 cars), I think it looks good - and I would buy one if I upsized again.

By S1GML on 23 May, 2010, 10:29am

Oh Dear!

No matter how it drives and how it is marketed - it will always be HIDEOUS!

By ukmike2000 on 27 May, 2010, 1:36pm

Cool. :)

Glad it drives just as it should. :)

I think a few people miss the point, MINI is a brand, just like it's 'big brother' BMW. They make the best small hatchbacks and small convertibles on the market and have now produced a larger model. This is purely down to demand. I personally know many people who've started families and were gutted to have to sell their 2-door Cooper or Cooper S as they found a 2-door car difficult with a baby (not all do though). This will allow people choice whilst being able to stick with a car that handles well, good performance, has great build quality and is part of the MINI social scene (MINI adventures, etc).

As for styling, I think on the road it will look great. That's just down to personal taste, I like the MINI styling (I personally don't like some of the current styles of other manufacturers), which is good as I'm on my 3rd MINI.

By FactoryWorks on 28 May, 2010, 8:47am