With the new third-generation MINI Countryman JCW, MINI has exceeded expectations and announced its vision of the future of motoring with a design that divides opinion.
Let's get straight to the point - the new one MINI John Cooper Works Countryman the third generation is not for the shy. With design cues you might expect at the Shanghai Motor Show and technical specifications that scream for excitement, this MINI decided, to be noticed. You're not just hitting the road with it, you're hitting the road with a statement.
Mini has put on its new model bold octagonal mask, which in the high brilliance of blackness shines like grand piano in sunlight, and it is surrounded by LED headlights, as sharp as the British Queen's gaze when she notices a stain on china. It brings a redesigned John Cooper Works emblem that combines black, red and white, with a design twist that will be seen in car showrooms. The Chili Red C-pillar boasts an eye-catching boldness like a red dress at a gala, and a design confusion that challenges. Although the new vertical taillights aim to accentuate the rear, the Mini's design seems to have gone on a well-deserved Las Vegas holiday rather than staying true to its British heritage. And of course, our 'C-pillar', which may nod more to Chinese skyscrapers than English pubs, certainly won't have everyone singing. It's as if the once iconic Mini turned into a neighborhood where traditional teas become exotic cocktails.
BMW and Mini seem to be swimming in design waters with a 'bold but directionless' style, like those two at a party wearing the flashiest outfits but each dancing to their own beat. This is definitely the first Mini that doesn't win us over at first sight - almost like a blind date that friends describe as 'having a good personality'. And while the 'What if?'-type questions swirl in the air, it's not the best feeling for a fresh car model where we expect love at first drive. It is true that a design that is not exactly the star of the evening can eventually become a classic elegance. Kind of like the Volkswagen Polo – it never throws high fashion onto the catwalk, but keeps popping up as a reliable, if somewhat dull, companion. We expected more from the new generation of Mini - perhaps some design magic, but not the feeling that the Mini was visiting distant relatives where it accidentally inherited some Chinese vases.
A multi-horse classic
Beneath the elegant exterior lies the heart of the beast: turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, capable of 312 hp (230 kW) and producing 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. Compared to its predecessor, which had 301 hp (223 kW) and 331 lb-ft (449 Nm) of torque, this is a slight increase in power, but the main difference is in the feeling you get when you step on the gas.
He drives almost alone
Advanced driver assistance systems increase comfort. The new MINI Countryman JCW it is equipped with a total of twelve ultrasonic sensors and four cameras for a view around the vehicle. These support innovative driver assistance systems and enable level 2 semi-automated driving in an extensive options package Driving Assistant Professional. The system can detect gaps in traffic that are necessary to change lanes when exiting a freeway, and bring the vehicle to the optimal speed to assist the lane change. For the first time, drivers in the MINI Countryman JCW can take their hands off the steering wheel on motorway-like stretches of road at speeds of up to 60 km/h, provided they continue to keep a close eye on traffic and are ready to step in at any time.
The third generation is affordable
With a price tag of $47,895 in the US (comparable in Europe and Euros), the third-generation MINI Countryman JCW 2024 arrives as a giant among MINIs, with its sights set on the East, where the brand plans to expand its ambitions. Is the car for you? If you're looking for something that will push the boundaries of the ordinary while giving you a ride you'll want to experience again and again, then the answer is an unequivocal yes.
