MINI Cooper is introducing an SUV: the Mini Countryman. This is the first four-door Mini, and it's intended to attract to closet SUV lovers who don't want to be painted with the Escalade/Hummer brush. The MINI Countryman will be available in the US in January 2011.
The MINI Cooper SUV will be available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, as well as an optional sport suspension. The cargo area will have 12.2 cubic feet of storage capacity, 41 cubic feet if the back seats are folded down. It will come with either six-speed manual transmission or tiptronic automatic transmission.
Americans may choose from two engines.There's the more fuel efficient 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that can rev from 0 to 62 m.p.h. in 10.5 seconds. The more powerful Cooper S sports direct-fuel injection, 180 horsepower (52 pct more), and a 0-to-62 rate of 7.6 s. Other features include stability control; front, side, and curtain air bags; optional smart phone integration; and a run-flat tires upgrade.
