Mini Cooper Countryman: first acquaintance

For those that Mini Cooper Countryman hit only yesterday: this British handsome man is released in Europe for the fourth year, and his sports modification was released at the end of 2012. Given the tendency of inclination to expensive, stylish and low-functional crossovers, we can fully explain the success of the "fellow countryman" So you can translate the name of the model. Far from being a "peasant" - this word is not a miracle of design.

However, the tastes do not argue: outwardly Mini Cooper Countryman completely inherits all the features of the family tree of Mini Coopers. Nevertheless, the English version of the "humpbacked" with its protruding headlights, most often three doors and a smiling radiator grille, clearly does not pretend to be a serious off-roader. Although the size of its tires - R16 and R17, the body is 4110 m in length and a wide range of variative original shades (the key word is "original", for there are no such models in the world any more) captivate the hearts.

And what's inside?

Even the most sophisticated driver, the Mini Cooper Countryman saloon will pose a dead end. Innovative thoughts of the designers of the concern are not always welcome. In the middle of the "spaceship", trimmed with white skin, is a huge wheel of a speedometer with a bunch of strange options. In general, almost the whole instrument panel and other control buttons have a round shape. From the point of view of ergonomics, this fact itself, maybe, is convenient. However, there are so many buttons and joysticks that you need a good two weeks of practice on a deserted circuit, just to stop confusing them.

But the steering wheel Mini Cooper Countryman pleases its stability, three full speed and grasp. The seats are quite comfortable, you immediately forget about your aching back and completely relax in your "shuttle". But the passengers of the rear seats - a surprise in the form of an option of two separate seats. In particular, by default this configuration is accompanied by the Mini Cooper S Countryman. The trunk is an obvious scourge of "minicar" - only 350 liters, not counting the space obtained by folding the seats.

And under the hood ...

This small garage monster pretends to the option of including an all-wheel drive, is served in two variants of the transmission - mechanics and a 6-stage automatic machine. The engine in the "Mini Cooper" installed 1.6 liters (in the sports model - 2.0 liters), quite economical, allowing you to dial up to 198 km / h depending on the configuration. Two-liter car goes to the mark of 100 km / h in 9.3 seconds - not the "Ferrari", of course, but for a good acceleration on the road is quite appropriate.

With regard to fuel consumption, indicated in the documents at 7.5 liters, the real mark on the city with a mixed cycle reaches 12 liters. Much too much. But the S-model offers a diesel engine, respectively, the machine "eats" 4.6 liters.

Speaking about the test drive, I want to note the high compliance, manageability, which is the handwriting of all "BMW" -cars. However, the rigidity of the suspension has not been canceled yet. And the engine, as for the beast, is not powerful enough. Well, pay attention to the price: this golden horse will cost four dozen in the "euro", this - if we are talking about the normal configuration, for which, in fact, it is worth looking at it in general. And I would better keep silent about the service. However, if anyone decides to take him to his garage - he is unlikely to regret his choice. Mini Cooper Countryman - the same car, the love of which - "a million torment," but it is strong.