Along with the 520i and i5 M60, BMW Group Malaysia has additionally launched the all-new U25 MINI Countryman in Malaysia. Bigger and way more carefully associated to Bavaria than the outgoing second-generation F60 (it’s even constructed there, in close by Leipzig), the SUV is being supplied in petrol and, for the primary time, fully-electric guise.
The vary begins with the electrical Countryman SE All4, with estimated pricing of RM260,000, round RM26,000 cheaper than its sibling, the BMW iX1 xDrive30. In the meantime, the only petrol variant is the recent John Cooper Works Countryman, set to be supplied at RM399,000. Deliveries are set to kick off within the third quarter of the 12 months.
MINI Countryman SE All4
On the SE, the All4 suffix denotes the presence of dual motors, producing a sum whole of 313 PS (230 kW) and 494 Nm of torque. These are similar figures to the iX1 xDrive30, enabling it to get from zero to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds (a tenth of a second faster than the BMW) on its strategy to a prime velocity of 180 km/h.
What the MINI positive aspects in efficiency it loses in vary – outfitted with the identical 66.5 kWh battery because the iX1, it nonetheless returns a barely decrease determine of 432 km on the WLTP cycle. On the flip facet, the Countryman not solely accepts the identical 130 kW of DC quick charging (topping up the battery from 10 to 80% in half-hour) however has double the utmost AC charging enter of twenty-two kW, which ought to result in a lot shorter cost instances.
Constructed on the identical front-wheel-drive UKL2 platform because the iX1, the brand new Countryman is far greater than the automotive it replaces, being 130 mm longer and having a 22 mm longer wheelbase. The dimensions improve is most noticeable within the longer rear overhang, that means that the automotive loses the everyday MINI four-square stance.
Highlights embody squarish LED headlights with perimeter daytime operating lights, a big hexagonal entrance grille, chunky fender flares, flush pull-up door handles, customisable “matrix” LED taillights and a peculiar C-pillar trim piece that drops downwards from the roof. Some typical MINI design cues, such because the entrance fender “facet scuttles” and clamshell bonnet, have been dropped for a extra minimalist look.
The Malaysian-spec mannequin comes within the range-topping Favoured trim, which provides gloss black exterior trim, ornamental skid plates and a alternative of both Piano Black or Vibrant Silver roof and door mirrors. It additionally rides on 20-inch Windmill Spoke two-tone alloy wheels.
Inside, MINI guarantees higher passenger area, together with a major improve in shoulder room; there’s additionally a 460 litre boot expandable to 1,350 litres with the 40:20:40-split rear seats folded (no entrance boot, sadly). The minimalist aesthetic continues on the within, with a wraparound dashboard design lined in Darkish Petrol (ironic) houndstooth material, a three-spoke sports activities steering wheel with a material decrease spoke, vertical air vents and a large centre console with quite a lot of storage compartments.
Taking centre stage (actually) is a particular 9.4-inch round OLED touchscreen that integrates not solely the air-con controls but additionally the velocity readout, very like the Volvo EX30. It runs on the Android-based MINI Working System 9 and comes with a “Hey MINI” voice management system, visualised by a canine avatar referred to as Spike. The deletion of the instrument cluster has been compensated by the addition of a head-up show.
Behind the show sit two projectors that show patterns onto both facet of the dashboard, relying on the drive mode chosen. You additionally get the smartphone-based MINI Digital Key Plus, MINI Driving Sounds and a 360-degree digicam system with Distant 3D View. Under the display, the trademark toggle switches have been simplified to simply two for the gear selector and drive modes, plus a quantity knob, parking brake button and a singular key-like starter twist knob.
On the within, the Favoured trim provides JCW sport seats manufactured from Vescin Beading fake leather-based in both Classic Brown or Darkish Petrol. Different bits of ordinary equipment embody power-adjustable entrance seats with driver’s facet reminiscence and therapeutic massage features, black headlining and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon encompass sound system.
Security-wise, the Countryman comes as commonplace with the Driving Assistant Plus package deal, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise management with cease and go, lane centring help, evasive steering help, blind spot monitoring and visitors signal recognition. Additionally fitted is Parking Assistant Skilled, throwing on distant parking help by way of a smartphone app, a Manoeuvring Assistant and a Reversing Assistant.
MINI John Cooper Works Countryman All4
Regardless of being positioned because the efficiency mannequin, the JCW truly has much less energy than the EV variant, its B48 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine solely making 300 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Even so, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive at its disposal, this not-so-pocket rocket is ready to full the century dash two tenths of a second faster at 5.4 seconds, whereas its prime velocity is electronically restricted to 250 km/h. Adaptive dampers are additionally fitted.
Setting the JCW aside from the SE is a full exterior package deal that consists of a extra aggressive entrance bumper (with a chequered flag grille sample and twin faux “air intakes” up prime), a big rear diffuser with quad spherical tailpipes and a purple roof and door mirrors. The automotive rolls on 21-inch JCW Flag Spoke alloys with Pirelli P Zero tyres, hiding JCW Efficiency Brakes with purple callipers.
There are extra modifications on the within, together with a JCW steering wheel, JCW-specific material inside trim in purple, a black material accent strip and JCW Black Vecsin fake leather-based upholstery with purple and gray accents.
This being a petroleum mannequin, the boot is bigger at 505 litres and will be expandable to 1,530 litres by folding the rear seats. The JCW can be the one mannequin to function manually-adjustable rear seats, together with six positions for the again seat recline.
GALLERY: MINI Countryman SE All4 at Malaysia Autoshow 2024
GALLERY: MINI John Cooper Works Countryman All4 at Malaysia Autoshow 2024
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