PressClub Canada · Article.
Extremely athletic, Extremely versatile.
Wed Jan 25 12:00:00 CET 2017 Press Release
The New MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4.
Press Contact.
Robert Dexter
BMW Group
Tel: +1-905-428-5447
Fax: +1-905-428-5086
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Author.
Robert Dexter
BMW Group
The largest MINI yet receives the John Cooper Works treatment, offering powerful performance and versatility:
- 228hp enables a 0-100 km/h time of just 6.5 seconds.
- MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive system fitted and sports suspension as standard
- Brembo high-performance brake system.
- High quality standard specification includes LED headlights, Rear View Camera, Park Distance Control, Automatic Tailgate, Auto Dimming Mirrors, Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control and Comfort Access.
- New touch-screen with 3D Navigation and MINI Connected XL available as an option
- To be presented in public for the first time in April at Shanghai Motor Show.
- MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 market launch in Spring 2017.
- Canadian MSRP: $38,500 – no price increase vs previous generation, with extensive list of new equipment.
Richmond Hill, ON. As the biggest and most versatile model in the MINI range featuring the brand’s most powerful engine to date, the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 combines race track feeling and useful versatility on and off the road.
With an output of 228 hp, working through MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system, the new John Cooper Works sprints from 0 – 100 km/h is just 6.5 seconds, whether the customer chooses the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the optional 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission.
The resulting vehicle is a based on John Cooper Works racing expertise. From the engine and ALL4 drive system to the upgraded sports suspension with 18-inch John Cooper Works Grip Spoke alloy wheels and Brembo sports brake system, the John Cooper Works racing influence is evident throughout the model’s build and design. Special exterior body features highlight the vehicle’s sporty credentials, and optimize aerodynamic properties, whilst inside the vehicle features a model-specific cockpit and John Cooper Works sports seats with integrated headrest.
The new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 not only offers an exciting driving experience but with improved boot space and extra leg room over its predecessor it is both versatile and flexible.
More power, more space
With a power increase of 39hp compared to its predecessor, the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 also offers enlarged external dimensions and a considerable increase in space, versatility and functionality. The new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 is 20 centimetres longer, 3 centimetres wider and has a wheelbase extension of 7.5 centimetres over the previous model, offering even more space across its five passenger seats. The luggage compartment can also be expanded as required from 450 litres to as much as 1,390 litres.
Engine: power delivery and sound with racing character.
The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine installed at the front of the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 demonstrates performance characteristics inspired by motor racing. It has a specific version of MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology with a turbocharging system integrated in the cast steel manifold, petrol direct injection, the fully variable valve control system VALVETRONIC and variable camshaft control (double VANOS).
Made of highly temperature-resistant material, the turbocharger generates a charge-air pressure which is now increased to 2.2 bar. The engine puts its maximum torque of 258 lb-ft on stream at between 1,450 and 4,500 rpm. It delivers its peak output of 228 hp within an engine speed range of 5,000 and 6,000 rpm.
The new John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 features specially developed components for John Cooper Works models, including specific pistons, a large charge-air cooler and an additional radiator. In addition there is a sports exhaust system that not only supports the engine’s performance characteristics but also gives them an impressive acoustic and visual dimension. Reduced exhaust gas pressure promotes spontaneous power delivery, while a controllable exhaust flap and the special geometry of the tailpipe help generate the recognizable John Cooper Works sound. The sports exhaust system also has tapered chrome covers for the dual tailpipes.
6-speed manual transmission as standard, 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission as an optional extra.
The standard 6-speed manual transmission is weight-optimized in design as well as exhibiting a high level of internal efficiency and shift comfort. A gear sensor enables active engine speed adaptation for fast gear changes. Short shifts and the model-specific gear lever knob facilitate precise gear selection. An 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission is also available as an option. Gears can be changed automatically or manually via the shift paddles at the steering wheel. It offers particularly short shift times and a Launch Control function enables the quickest possible acceleration from standing.
Sports chassis for maximum agility when sprinting, on bends and during braking manoeuvres.
The high-quality suspension technology of the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 offers the perfect basis for maximum performance and excellent handling, with its high powered engine working alongside its specially designed long wheelbase, large track and low centre of gravity. A single-joint spring strut axle at the front is combined with a multilink rear axle. In addition, the standard sports suspension of the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 features a particularly tight set-up of the suspension and damping systems. The speed-related Servotronic steering support – which is also offered as standard – provides excellent handling on bends and comfortable manoeuvring at low speeds.
The sports brake system was designed in collaboration with specialist manufacturer Brembo and comprises 4-piston fixed-caliper disc brakes on the front wheels, guaranteeing consistently high deceleration rates even under intense use. The brake calipers are finished in red and bear the John Cooper Works logo at the front. The Dynamic Stability Control system also ensures optimum traction on sprints, agility on bends and safe deceleration. Its functions include Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) – which acts as an electronic locking function for the front axle differential – and Performance Control for agile turning when taking bends at speed. The standard trim also includes 18-inch John Cooper Works light alloy wheels in Black Thrill Spoke. John Cooper Works light alloy wheel in 19-inch is optionally available.
MINI Driving Modes and Dynamic Damper Control enable an individualized vehicle set-up.
The standard MINI Driving Modes enable a vehicle set-up that is geared towards both the situation on the road and the driver’s individual preferences. A rotary switch at the base of the gear or selector lever is used to activate the settings SPORT, MID and GREEN. This influences the characteristic curves of the accelerator pedal and steering, the engine acoustics, the shift characteristics of the 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission, if the latter is fitted, and the Dynamic Damper Control set-up. The characteristics of the electronically controlled dampers are geared to a particularly dynamic driving style in SPORT mode and support a more comfort-oriented style in the other two modes. GREEN mode is designed for comfortable yet efficiency-optimized driving. A supporting feature here is the coasting function, which can be used in conjunction with the 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission. In GREEN mode, the drivetrain is decoupled at speeds of between 50 and 160 km/h as soon as the driver's foot is removed from the accelerator pedal.
Exterior
With a length of 4,314 millimetres, a width of 1,822 millimetres and a height of 1,557 millimetres, model-specific John Cooper Works features are clearly visible on the exterior. These include the John Cooper Works Aerodynamics Kit and large cooling inlets in the front apron. The standard roof rails and the model-specific roof spoiler offer an aerodynamic finish to the model’s exterior.
Interior: a characteristic sports car atmosphere
Inside the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 there are five fully fledged seats, the driver and front passenger seats featuring integrated headrests, John Cooper Works sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons, John Cooper Works gear or selector lever and roof liner in anthracite for a racing car feel to the interior.
Head, shoulder and leg room are significantly more generous than in the predecessor model, both at the front and the rear. In addition, as an optional extra the rear seats can be shifted by up to 13 centimetres in a 60 : 40 split, while additional versatility is provided by backrest elements that are tilt-adjustable and foldable in a 40 : 20 : 40 split. The unique Picnic Bench, a flexible surface that folds out of the luggage compartment and provides seating for two people, is available as an option.
Exclusive standard and optional equipment.
The exclusive standard and optional equipment available with the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 means it stands out from the crowd. Standard equipment includes LED headlamps with cornering function and DRL, cruise control with brake function and the 6.5” Colour MINI Visual Boost display including MINI Connected, USB socket and Bluetooth. Comfort Access, Automatic Tailgate, Auto Dimming Mirrors, Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control, Anthracite Headliner, MINI Driving Modes, Rear View Camera and Rear Park Distance Control are also offered as standard with MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4.
Modern driver assistance systems, high-quality options for comfort and individual style.
The driver assistance systems developed for the MINI range enhance comfort and safety in the new John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4, too. The optional Driving Assistant system includes camera-based active cruise control, collision warning with city braking, pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection. Park Distance Control features sensors at the rear as standard, with other features such as front parking sensors and Parking Assistant optionally available.
The optional Head-Up Display can display to the driver an extensive variety of information, including road speed, speed limits, navigation directions and Check Control messages, feedback from the driver assistance systems, telephone contacts and entertainment controls. The Head-Up display features a specific John Cooper Works mode where it is also possible to display the currently selected gear and a multi-coloured engine speed scale.
Central instrument with touchscreen.
The MINI Wired Navigation Package with an 8.8-inch colour screen in the central instrument and the new recently introduced touch screen functionality includes 3D Navigation, MINI Connected XL and Wireless Charging in the front center armrest.
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