Mini has launched the Countryman C in India at Rs 47.5 lakh (ex-showroom). It joins the third-generation Countryman line-up as a locally assembled petrol variant and sits below the fully imported JCW All4, undercutting it by Rs 18.65 lakh.
Assembled at BMW Group’s Chennai facility, this new variant brings the SUV’s pricing closer to rivals such as the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3. The Countryman shares its front-wheel-drive ‘UKL2’ platform with the BMW X1, which is also assembled in India.
- Powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 156hp
- 0-100kph in 9.0 seconds; top speed rated at 212kph
- Gets sliding, reclining rear seats and a 505-litre boot that’s expandable to 1,450 litres
Mini Countryman C: Exterior
The Countryman C has upright proportions and rounded design elements, with cleaner body surfacing than the previous-generation model. It gets an octagonal grille, adaptive LED headlights, redesigned matrix LED tail-lamps and customisable light signatures for the front and rear daytime running lamps (DRLs). There’s a champagne finish for the grille surround, front and rear skid plates, and even the Mini logos and the Countryman badge.
Measuring 4,447mm long, 1,843mm wide and 1,661mm high, the Countryman C sits on a 2,692mm wheelbase and has a 190mm ground clearance. The SUV rides on 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and is available in five exterior colour options, along with a contrasting roof finish.
Mini Countryman C: Interior and features
Inside, the Countryman C follows Mini’s minimalist cabin layout with a dual-tone dashboard and circular design elements. The dashboard and door panels use a textile finish, and the electrically adjustable JCW Sports seats come finished in Vescin upholstery. The infotainment touchscreen is a circular 9.4-inch OLED unit, which also integrates most vehicle functions.
Other features include a head-up display, steering-mounted controls, a Harman Kardon 12-speaker sound system, a 360-degree camera, a panoramic glass roof, powered front seats with a massage function for the driver, wireless phone charging, parking assist and multiple airbags.
The rear seats can slide by up to 130mm and recline by up to 25 degrees, while the boot space is 505 litres, expandable to 1,450 litres with the rear seats folded. The Countryman C also gets connected car technology, ambient lighting, MINI Digital Key Plus that turns a compatible smartphone or smartwatch into a functional car key and eight selectable ‘MINI Experience’ drive modes.
Safety features include an advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) suite, with functions such as front collision warning, lane departure warning, attentiveness assist, active pedestrian protection and reversing assist. The SUV has also secured a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Mini Countryman C: Powertrain
Powering the Countryman C is a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 156hp and 240Nm. This mill is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, with power sent to the front wheels. Mini claims a 0-100kph time of 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 212kph. The Countryman C has a fuel tank capacity of 60 litres and a claimed fuel efficiency of 15.92kpl.
The powertrain is similar in layout to the BMW X1 sDrive18i, although the Countryman C gets a higher state of tune. The SUV is positioned as a more accessible alternative to the performance-focused 300hp Countryman JCW All4, which continues as a CBU import.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
