Mini Countryman To Get A Mid-life Refresh; Prototype Spied Testing

• Expected cosmetic changes include revised front and rear bumpers, new alloy wheels and revised headlights and taillights.
• Interiors are also expected to get updated standard equipment, including a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and customisable ambient lighting.
• Expected optional kit may include a bigger touchscreen, heated seats, heads-up display and bigger alloy wheels.
• Likely to carry forward its engine options that include 2 petrols, 1 diesel, and a PHEV.
• Unlikely to make it to India anytime soon.

Mini is set to give the Countryman a mid-life facelift as a test mule was spied with camouflage on public roads in Europe for the first time. At a glance, it shows that the Countryman will undergo a host of changes inside and out.

Starting from the outside, the Countryman facelift will get new front and rear bumpers, new alloy wheel designs, an updated radiator grille, revised LED matrix headlights and new Union Jack patterned tail lights. It also might get a revised bonnet and boot lid judging from the camo wraps in that area. 

On the inside, the Countryman facelift is expected to get updates along with standard equipment like a 6.5-inch infotainment system, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Real-Time Traffic Information. Other expcted features may include MINI-branded puddle lighting and a customisable ambient lighting system. Aside from these, it is also expected to offer extra optional kit that includes larger alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, Harmon Kardon stereo system, and a heads-up display. Other optional kit may include heated seats, MINI’s Navigation Plus pack which adds a larger 8.8-inch infotainment system, a wireless smartphone charger and updated Bluetooth connectivity.

Under the hood, it is expected to offer four revised engines from the current car’s engine range. These may include a 136PS turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol mill, a 192PS turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, a 150PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and a 223PS 1.5-litre three-cylinder PHEV powertrain. The John Cooper Works variant will have a more powerful 2.0-litre mill, with 301PS and 449Nm of torque. Like the current Countryman, the facelift is also expected to get a choice of either front-wheel or four-wheel-drivetrains and a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The PHEV variant of the Countryman is expected to continue with four-wheel-drivetrain with the rear axle being powered by an electric motor.

In India, Mini currently sells the Countryman between Rs. 34.90 lakh  to 41.40 lakh (ex-showroom) in 3 variants and 5 colour options. While there is no confirmed launch date for the Countryman facelift, we expect it to make its international debut in 2020 with an India launch soon after. Once launched, expect it to go up against other premium mini SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.

Image Source- AutoExpress