[ WATCH  ] 2017 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALLA
Channel: Auto Today
Date: 2017-02-09

[ WATCH  ]2017 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALLA. Although we rarely celebrate the work of the Grim Reaper, we will happily make an exception for the Mini Paceman. While the first generation of the Countryman crossover sold in sufficient volume to warrant development of the successor we’re driving here, its ungainly, ugly, two-door pseudo-coupe sister found more ridicule than buyers. Mini confirms that it won’t be making another Paceman, and for that we are genuinely grateful. We’d suggest burying it in a garlic-filled coffin with a stake through its heart.

The Paceman’s demise makes this new Countryman the priciest Mini, performance specials aside, with its range-cherrying purpose backed by a serious expansion in size. The first Countryman was big when compared with the bijou Mini Hardtop of the day, but it was overly compact even by compact-crossover standards. Owners and potential buyers told Mini’s customer clinicians they wanted it to be bigger and more practical. Which seems like a strange thing to hear from people in the market for a car named Mini, but it also explains why the new 2017 Countryman has grown by a significant 8.5 inches in length and 2.9 inches in wheelbase.

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