MINI introduced the facelifted Hatch and Convertible
last year and now the company is turning its attention to the Countryman. Recently spotted undergoing
testing in Munich, the facelifted crossover has a heavily disguised front fascia
which covers a revised grille and updated headlights. The model has also been
equipped with a new front bumper that features a wide lower opening and
vertical intakes.
The styling updates continue at the rear as we can
see modified taillights and what appears to be a more rounded tailgate. We can
also expect a new rear bumper, but details are hard to make out. Spy photographers couldn’t get
close enough to snap interior pictures, but the Countryman could be outfitted
with a larger and more modern infotainment system. We can also expect more
personalization options and possibly some new features and/or additional
standard equipment.
Since the Countryman recently received a host of
powertrain upgrades, engine options could carryover. That’s not necessarily a
bad thing as the 2020 John Cooper Works Countryman has a “comprehensively
redesigned” turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 301 hp and 450 Nm of torque. This enables the model to
accelerate from 0-96 km/h in 5.1 seconds, before hitting a limited
top speed of 250 km/h.
The JCW Countryman wasn’t the only model updated for
2020 as the plug-in hybrid Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 received an improved
battery pack with a larger capacity of 9.6 kWh. This increased the crossover’s
electric-only range from 19.3 km to approximately 25.7
km. Since this is our first time seeing the updated Countryman, the
production model is likely a ways off. Nothing is official, but the crossover
could be introduced about a year from now as a 2021 model.
