AutoGuide.com
May 6th, 2011, 10:29 PM
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It's the first MINI Crossover. The first MINI with all-wheel drive and, arguably, it's the first MINI with room for four people and a few grocery bags. What about the Clubman you say? OK, the Countryman is the first MINI with room for four people, grocery bags and is something you might actually want to own.
Scratch that, the Countryman is something you'll definitely want to own, once you drive it – and only if you opt for the top Cooper S model with its turbocharged 4-banger. Being naturally larger than the traditional hardtop MINIs, the Countryman is heavier too and adds about 400-lbs. Using the same engine found in the hatchback Cooper S, that translates to straight-line acceleration that's definitely fun, but will never wow you with power.
Making 181-hp and 177 lb-ft of torque it's good for a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds with all-wheel drive and the auto-box, which (sadly) our test car came with. Not that there's anything wrong with this unit, it's just that an AWD crossover with a stick shift ranks near the top of the auto journalist cool meter alongside high-powered wagons and stripped-down beaters. Opt for the Sport Package, keep the little sport button pressed and the more immediate throttle response and access to boost makes for a peppy machine.
Watch the video after the jump.
More: 2011 MINI Countryman S ALL4 Review [Video] (http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/mini/2011-mini-countryman-s-all4-review-video-1554.html) on AutoGuide.com
It's the first MINI Crossover. The first MINI with all-wheel drive and, arguably, it's the first MINI with room for four people and a few grocery bags. What about the Clubman you say? OK, the Countryman is the first MINI with room for four people, grocery bags and is something you might actually want to own.
Scratch that, the Countryman is something you'll definitely want to own, once you drive it – and only if you opt for the top Cooper S model with its turbocharged 4-banger. Being naturally larger than the traditional hardtop MINIs, the Countryman is heavier too and adds about 400-lbs. Using the same engine found in the hatchback Cooper S, that translates to straight-line acceleration that's definitely fun, but will never wow you with power.
Making 181-hp and 177 lb-ft of torque it's good for a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds with all-wheel drive and the auto-box, which (sadly) our test car came with. Not that there's anything wrong with this unit, it's just that an AWD crossover with a stick shift ranks near the top of the auto journalist cool meter alongside high-powered wagons and stripped-down beaters. Opt for the Sport Package, keep the little sport button pressed and the more immediate throttle response and access to boost makes for a peppy machine.
Watch the video after the jump.
More: 2011 MINI Countryman S ALL4 Review [Video] (http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/mini/2011-mini-countryman-s-all4-review-video-1554.html) on AutoGuide.com