New 2013 Mini Countryman Diesel review, test drive

The Countryman D is the first Mini to be assembled in India. This translates to a price tag of Rs 28.9 lakh, which is a significant Rs 8.6 lakh less than the fully imported petrol-engined Countryman High. The Countryman D joins the likes of the Mercedes-Benz A-class, the upcoming BMW 1-series and the Volvo V40 Cross Country in the upcoming premium luxury hatchback segment. To take on its formidable competition, the Countryman has a few weapons in its arsenal – its tall upright stance makes it a lot more spacious than the others and there is plenty to like about its funky interiors. Still, at this price, the Mini has to feel extra special to stand out, and exactly how special it feels is what we are going to find out.

It may look like a hatchback, but at over four metres long, it’s large enough to be called a Maxi. The Countryman is also the first Mini to have five doors and Mini’s designers have gone to some lengths to ensure that it won’t be mistaken for anything other than a Mini. Still, we’re not totally sold on how these styling characteristics integrate into the Countryman’s bigger proportions, but there is quite a lot to take in – the power bulge on the huge clamshell bonnet, for example, or the complex detailing of the headlights and the Volkswagen-like bootlid badge that doubles up as a tailgate handle. Still, it doesn’t have the wow factor of the new A-class or even the unconventionally interesting styling of the Volvo V40. That said, the Countryman is over 100mm wider and about 150mm taller than the regular Mini hatchback and much taller than the other large hatches. This liberates a lot of space on the inside, making the Countryman the most practical and usable Mini everStep inside and you are greeted by a high-quality, extrovert dashboard dominated by an oversized, centrally mounted speedometer and the graphic display that it incorporates within it.  There are plenty of interesting bits – we loved the toggle switches, the handbrake that looks like a fighter jet’s thrust lever and the cool interior lighting scheme. There’s even a rail between the front seats to which you can attach accessories like a sunglass holder or even a mobile phone holder. However, for all its funkiness, the ergonomics are off and you need to look around the dashboard to find the switch for whatever you might want to operate. Curiously, some warning lamps are housed in the speedometer and some are on the rev counter and this, at least till you get used to it, forces you to glance at both to see if, for example, the fog lights are turned on. There is no questioning the space on offer inside though. Up front, there’s plenty of headroom and legroom, and you won’t complain about the driving position either. Visibility is great too and makes punting around this biggest of Minis child’s play. At the rear, there’s plenty of head and elbow room for two adults, and the sliding, 40:20:40-split rear bench is mostly comfortable, if a little lacking in thigh support. Fitting three across the back would be a squeeze though. By hatchback standards, the 350-litre boot is quite big and the split seats do allow you some flexibility if you really want to pack in stuff

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 28.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine

Installation	Front,transverse
Type	4 cyls, 1995cc, common-rail, turbo diesel
Bore/stroke	84/90.0mm
Power	110bhp at 4000rpm
Torque	27.53 kgm at 1750-2250rpm

Dimensions

Length	4110mm
Width	1996mm
Height	1561mm
Wheel base	2595mm
Boot volume	350-1170 litres

Suspension

Front	Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear	Independent, multi-link coil springs