Title says it all! I'll be lining up for one for sure . . . :)

Andrew

Hopefully never;)

It's a very ugly car.

I think I read somewhere end of 2010? Not sure tho, might just be the dates for the UK?

It's 2010 in UK and Europe and 2011 in USA. From that, your guess is as good as anyone's. The current MINIs come in 2 specs, Euro and USA (we get the Euro spec), so there may be no reason the Euro couldn't come here in 2010 (especially given there will be a right-hand-drive version then in UK). But if there's any special stuff needed (eg changes for Australian design rules or something), that would take a lower priority than getting the car in the USA market.

It will be interesting to see how they stagger the launch between the different countries and if we get the Diesel and Petrol powerplants at the same time.
I believe BMW is releasing the X1 in both forms simultaneously if that's any indication.
I think the Countryman will sell like crazy here as it should stay under the LCT threshold of $57k. The basic spec X1 is under this, but the better engines + loaded with extras put it way over $60k and into a completely different price bracket.
I'm also very keen to see the Aust. arrival date and pricing for the Coupe and Roadster.

It's funny tho how the new convertible had a worldwide release on the same day if my memory serves me correct? Would be interesting to see how well the Countryman sells in Australia... I wouldn't mind knowing when the Coupe and Roadster is coming out here as well :D

I'm just going on what MotoringFile says - keeping in mind it's US-based.

"As we broke last fall, the Countryman will come the US months after it’s European and UK launch. The R60 is scheduled to go on-sale in the fall of 2010 allowing for MINI to work out any product and build issues before the US launch in March of 2011."

They have the official US release text, which includes mention of a 2011 US release - and other sites have been speaking of a 2010 release for UK so it all seems to gel. The release text is here, and has dimensions, colour (sorry, color:)) choices, etc: MotoringFile Archive MINI Countryman US Details & Official Release (http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/01/20/mini-countryman-us-market-details-official-release/#more-11041) Note that the US won't get the Countryman diesel, but I don't think they get the diesel at all at present anyway, so no change there.

I agree - it would sell hugely here, as would the new 2-seater softtop. I'm not so sure about the odd-looking coupe though, depending on its price.

For the expected release dates of the coupe and softtop, MotoringFile's info suggests "the first pre-production Coupés and Roadsters will hit the Oxford assembly line around June of 2010. These same sources are telling us that initial batches of production of both cars should start in October of 2010. Look for both products to hit UK and European dealers in the beginning of 2011. US sales should starting shortly after UK and Euro deliveries start." The full item is here: MotoringFile Archive Exclusive: Coupé & Roadster Production Timeline (http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/07/mf-exclusive-mini-coupe-and-roadster-production-timeline/). Previously they had a more extensive timeline (MotoringFile Archive MINI Product Roadmap Revealed (Updated) (http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/10/28/mini-product-roadmap-revealed-updated/#more-10380)) with rather later dates for the Coupe and Roadster, so they're now thinking those are being fast-tracked to the earlier release date. The other significant note is that more powerful engines come with March 2010 production, in advance of the R56 facelift in October 2010 (production date). Of course, all these dates can change - the Countryman is already well late compared to its (rumoured) initial target release dates.

I spoke to the dealer where I bought my MINI yesterday and he has just been to a marketing conference where they said Countryman is set for a very late 2010 or early 2011 release. They didn't reveal anything about pricing or what engine spec's they plan to import.

I want one! But there again, would be handy out here!