Motoring - Mini to the Max

I enthusiastically recall the last time I was behind the wheel of the Mini Cooper S, even though it was a good few years ago. I was on a trip to the Hawke’s Bay. Despite four passengers and their weekend luggage, the little Mini was a delight. With its low centre of gravity, limpet-like road holding and spirited performance, along with the signature whine from the supercharger, what was not to like? At every bend, the little Mini hunkered down, eating up the slung-together apexes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Which is why I couldn’t help but feel a degree of trepidation when I recently found myself behind the wheel of a Cooper Countryman. The Countryman, for those of you not familiar with it, represents the latest expansion of the Mini line-up (which also includes the Clubman, a long-wheelbase ‘wagon’ version of the Mini). Some might view it cynically – another attempt by car makers to plug a non-existent gap in the market. The reality? People buy soft-roader micro-SUVs, so get used to it.

At first blush, there is no mistaking the Mini heritage in the Countryman. It looks a little like the standard Cooper, only pumped full of collagen. Closer inspection, however, reveals the cleverness of the design. Despite being significantly bigger and taller, the car doesn’t appear to be much larger than its sibling. And even though it has a higher centre of gravity, with its black wheels and tailored skirts, it appears low and purposeful compared to its class competitors. It’s really quite striking.

Inside, there’s bags of headroom and plenty of space for four or five people. The boot, though shallow and quite narrow, still makes for a very usable space. The fore and aft feature on the rear pew will also realise extra room – up to 92 litres – without having to reduce the number of seats. You’ll love it when carting gear, or on that weekend run to the tip.

When we photographed it at Lyall Bay, the Countryman had no trouble traversing a rocky outcrop, its extra ground clearance making all the difference, even though the test model was only two-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is available). The downside, though, for all that weight and height would surely be road holding and performance?

Not so. Fire up the 135kW produced from the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor and let rip. At 1,400kg, it’s close to 200kg heavier than the Cooper S, but even so, it will scarper to 100km/h in a claimed 7.6 seconds, so it’s no slouch. And despite the additional body roll through corners, the Mini feels surefooted indeed, even over Haywards Hill with its narrow stretches and oddly cambered corners. For this class, there’s a surprising amount of feel through the steering wheel. It also has a bit of a hoon side. Bury the right pedal to the floor and the wheel will tug playfully at your hands, a hint of torque steer reminding you that pimped sub-SUV or not, this car has some attitude.

The interior is typical Mini – retro to the max. Design cues are taken from the original, only inflated to outlandish proportions – particularly the central dial, which is dominating to say the least. Euro-style hipsters might find it a little cartoonish for their tastes. On the plus side, the quality of the interior’s materials and fit and finish feels first rate, no doubt the influence of new owner BMW coming to the fore. Having said that, for close to $60k, you’d certainly expect it, keeping in mind that for less than $50k you can secure an entry-level manual version.

Surprisingly, and against initial expectations, the Countryman works. Unlike many small soft-roaders that look big but fail the test of practicality, the Mini manages to look small and yet offer genuine space. More to the point, it manages to retain that all-important Mini character – a fun, sporty drive and just a little bit cool. Purists will scoff at the idea of an SUV Mini. Others will simply get with the programme.

Mini Cooper Countryman S automatic
Price: $58,900
Fuel economy: 6.6L/100km (manufacturer’s figures)
0–100km/h: 7.6 seconds
Overall: Who says life with kids can’t still have its pleasures? Perfect for negotiating the slalom that is the Moore Wilson’s carpark
[rating: 4 out of 5 FishHeads]