Kamal Ghorui
Mini India will soon launch the made-in-India Mini Countryman C SUV in the Indian market. Pre-bookings have started. Interested customers can book the car exclusively through the Mini dealership. The new Mini Countryman C will be locally produced at the BMW Group plant in Chennai. The new Countryman C is expected to be launched by this week. Ahead of its launch, let’s take a look at the top five things you need to know. Design In terms of design, the Mini Countryman C follows the design cues of the JCW and electric versions in terms of overall design elements such as the headlamp design, tail lamps and wheel design. At the front, it features circular headlamps paired with a more squared grille, along with an upright nose and a revised bumper, giving it a stronger appearance compared to earlier models. In profile, the design shifts towards a more boxy silhouette, with a flat roofline, upright stance and squared wheel arches. The longer wheelbase contributes to improved proportions and interior space. The rear remains simple, with LED tail-lamps featuring a modern lighting signature, a clean tailgate design and minimal detailing.
Interior designMoving inside, it features a revised cabin layout with a focus on a cleaner and more contemporary design while retaining key brand elements. The interior adopts a minimal approach, with reduced clutter and an emphasis on usability. A central circular OLED touchscreen dominates the dashboard, replacing the conventional instrument cluster and infotainment setup. Below the screen, MINI continues to offer toggle-style physical switches, providing tactile controls. It also gets textile-based surfaces and recycled elements, including a knit fabric dashboard extending across the cabin. Features Expected features include a 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen, connected car tech, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a head-up display, a Harman Kardon sound system, a 360-degree camera, a sunroof and much more. Powertrain The new Mini Countryman C is expected to get a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged engine with 136hp and 230Nm. It comes paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox and sends power to the front wheels. The same engine also does the job in the BMW X1. The MINI Countryman is built on the front-wheel-drive UKL2 platform, which it shares with the BMW X1, also assembled in India.Expected price and rivalsThe Countryman in India is currently offered in an all-electric version and with the sportier JCW pack. The company will now introduce a petrol variant, and Mini says this addition will complete the Countryman lineup in India. The upcoming Countryman is likely to be priced between Rs 40 lakh and Rs 45 lakh. The new SUV will rival the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Volvo XC40 and other similarly priced SUVs.
