The 2017
Mini JCW Countryman not only brings the highest power outputs for
any vehicle in the Mini stable, it also brings the highest asking price. The flagship Mini JCW
Countryman model arrives priced at AUD 57,900 plus on-road costs, with the
choice of a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic with paddles at no cost.
No matter which transmission you choose, the engine
is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo with 231 Hp of power and 350 Nm of torque, and grunt is sent ground-ward via all four
wheels.
Mini claims the drivetrain can
fling the John Cooper Works version of the Countryman from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, while fuel use is rated at 7.8
litres per 100 km for the auto and 7.4L/100km for the manual. There are three drive modes to choose that alter the
steering, gearbox and engine response: Normal, Sport and Green.
It rides on 19-inch JCW rims and has 17-inch Brembo
brakes, and the JCW Countryman has “performance control” torque vectoring “to
reduce understeer and increase traction and stability while cornering”.
The interior gets plenty of JCW bits, including
sports seats trimmed in Dinamica and leather, a perforated leather steering
wheel with red stitching, JCW door sills, gear shifter, instruments and sports
pedals, a dark fabric roof liner and grey interior trim finishes.
The media system is Mini’s Navigation Professional
unit, teamed to a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo. There’s also a head-up
display with JCW-specific content (driving speed, navigation info, phone and
audio lists, engine revs, gear indicator, shift point).
The Countryman range now gets the Mini Connected
data-driven communication app that allows you to plan trips and keep an eye on
the weather, and it’ll even warn you if you need to leave sooner to get to your
appointment based on traffic. Prices across the range have gone up as a result.
Mini has taken a pretty aggressive tack with the
standard equipment stuff, particularly safety gear. It has autonomous emergency
braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control (0-140 km/h with stop
and go function), front and rear parking sensors and semi-automated parallel
parking system, rear-view camera and speed limit information. It also comes
standard with LED headlights and a hands-free tailgate.
Buyers can option the Climate Pack (AUD 2400) for a
panoramic electric glass roof and heated front seats, and the usual array of
styling packs are also available.
2017 Mini
Countryman pricing
- Cooper petrol auto FWD – AUD 40,500
- Cooper D diesel auto FWD – AUD 44,500
- Cooper S petrol auto FWD – AUD 47,200
- Cooper DS diesel auto AWD – AUD 52,300
- JCW petrol auto/manual AWD – AUD 57,900