Business Car trailblazers Mini Countryman
Mini have just released their biggest-ever model – the third- generation Countryman. So, we look back at the first two big Minis.
Martyn Collins
The trend towards SUVs is nothing new, as Mini realised and quickly responded firstly with the 2008 Crossover Concept, and latterly the 2010 Beachcomber Concept, which with a set of doors and different wing mirrors was virtually a production-ready version of the first- generation R60 Countryman.
The production Countrymans were launched with the same trim levels as the R56 Mini Hatch and R55 Clubman, so One, One D, Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S models. With an ALL4 all-wheel drive version of the Cooper D diesel improving the usability. Most powerful diesel (Cooper SD), and John Cooper Works models came in following years.
The first-generation Countryman also spawned a short-lived, and now sought- after three-door hatch, called the Paceman, it lasted until 2016. Outside, it is the least ‘mini’ in terms of size, even then. The first Countryman looked like a Mini, with the floating roof, large window area, clamshell bonnet, large head and taillights and chunky wheel arch extensions.
The inside was the same, with the large central speedo, and distinctive air vents on the dashboard, plus a similar extensive choice of interior trims, finishes, and equipment to make it your own. The only unusual feature was a central rail on top of the transmission tunnel, where you could clip accessories,
such as a sunglasses holder too. And all with enough rear and boot space for a family. The diesel-sipping One and Cooper models were the fleet picks of the Countryman range with basic option packs. However, after spending some time with Countryman test cars and living with two children under two, in a Volkswagen Golf, we decided we needed more space, and with me already being a Mini owner, and my wife also liking this big Mini, we were perfect Countryman customers! Anyway, a 2013 Cooper in Absolute Black Metallic quickly followed and was worked hard for three years. My wife and I were fans of the extra space and practicality, but whilst 121hp felt sprightly in a Cooper hatch, it felt more challenged in a Countryman – especially when fully loaded. So, when its PCP was up, even with the second-generation Countryman available, we decided to go for more of the same – with extra power!
So, a 2016 Pepper White Cooper S followed. The additional 60hp and stiffer suspension certainly resulted in a fun drive and another easy three years followed. The just-replaced, second-generation Countryman was even less ‘mini,’ as it was over 20cm longer than the first. It followed the launch of the F56 and F55 hatches, and like the first-generation Countryman, it borrowed heavily from them for the mechanicals and interior of the new car. Launched in 2017, there was the choice of Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D and Cooper SD diesels. Outside, the styling was more of an evolution of the first, although more purposeful, and with more styling cues from the Mini hatch, it looked more like them in our opinion. It was as keen to drive as the first Countryman, too.
Later the same year, more new Countryman models joined the range. Firstly, in the
50 | April 2024 |
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form of the highest-performance version the 228hp John Cooper Works, and then the model most popular with fleets, the plug-in hybrid Cooper S E ALL4. The reason for its popularity, is its 11% BiK rate, plus a claimed 30 miles of electric range thanks to its 8.8kWh battery.
The Countryman then got its mid-life facelift in 2020, which mainly consisted of a new grille, standard front, and rear LED lights, with the rears following the Union Jack design, updated engines, a new digital dashboard, plus fresh colours, and trims. And us? Well after three years in an F55 five-door Mini, which we sadly grew out of thanks to my children, I’m pleased to say we’re back in another Countryman, a second-generation Cooper Exclusive, and it’s serving us well. Cheapest Countryman’s start at around £3,000, for a 2013, 100,000 miles Cooper Diesel.
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