By Staff Reporter

There’s no denying that SUVs are on the ascendency and that SUV fans more or less expect what was simply reserved for hatches and sedans, to be offered in SUVs. It’s therefore not surprising to see Mini launching the refreshed Countryman John Cooper Works with an engine that surpasses the previous drive by as much as 55 kW at maximum output.

Engine and performance

The Countryman JCW is powered by a 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo with 225 kW of power and 450 Nm of torque. This makes the car exceed the power of the previous model by as 55 kW at maximum output. Maximum torque has increased by 100 Nm to 450 Nm, and acceleration performance has also risen commensurately. The new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds. That is 1.5 seconds faster than in the previous model. Notwithstanding the hike in power, Mini claims a fuel consumption of just 7.9 l/100 km. The engine is paired with a new 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission with integrated mechanical differential lock for the front wheel. New bigger John Cooper Works sport brake system has also been introduced.

Refreshed looks

The refreshed Mini Countryman JCW features a new LED headlights with Matrix high beam function. A red cross-member subdivides the newly designed radiator grille of the new model. In addition, standard equipment includes keyless ride, MINI Driving Modes, and the Radio MINI Visual Boost including 6.5 inch display with touchscreen function and a redesigned graphical display. The integrated Connected Media equipment is able to access numerous MINI Connected online services. Alternatively, there is also a choice of special equipment options, including Connected Navigation, with its easy-to-use routing function and additional infotainment options, as well as Connected Navigation Plus with an 8.8 inch touch display. In conjunction with these options, the Real Time Traffic Information service is also available, providing real-time data on the current traffic situation, a personal Concierge service and it is Apple CarPlay-ready.

Pricing

Prices for the new Mini John Cooper Works Countryman start from R708,000.