Ahead of its world premiere at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, scheduled to be done in the first week of October, the second generation Mini Countryman has been spotted during the test rounds. Nowadays, it has become so common that every other prototype of the forthcoming cars is being caught on cameras, but this time, it’s something major. This is the first when a BMW owned model, which is yet to be launched in the global market, has ever been spied at the Indian soil. Well, it just a wild guess, but, it might also get introduced here in the country soon after its public debut at the show.
For a recall, the first generation Countryman was first introduced at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show as the company’s first crossover, which was also configured with all wheel drive facility. Later on, a facelifted unit was also showcased by the company at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. And now, the next generation trim is all set to hit the segment along with a new structure and some updated features.
You may also read in detail about Mini Countryman in India
Based on the BMW’s UKL1 architecture, which is also underpinning the Mini Clubman MPV and the BMW X1, the 2017 Countryman is expected to come up with a larger wheelbase of around 100 mm in order to extend more space inside the cabin. According to the reports, about 150 mm has been increased to its length that will sit around 4.25 meters against the 4.1 meters for the ongoing unit.
Apart from the aesthetic changes, you will also get to see some modifications inside the cabin that are brought up from the current Mini lineup but will get opulent materials and head-up display. Furthermore, to enhance the driving smoothness and nimbleness, the automaker will also add BMW’s one of the most innovative systems ‘Variable Damper Control’. In addition, it may share its electronically controlled all-wheel drive configuration with the BMW X1, while some other global markets will celebrate its regular FWD-only version.
Also recommended: 2017 Mini Countryman Details Snapped Prior To its Debut
As far as the powertrain is concerned, it is going to be offered with Mini’s same TwinPower Turbo, coupled with three and four cylinder petrol and diesel engines as of the UKL platform based vehicles. Transmission duties might be carried out by a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed Steptronic automatic boxes. Besides, BMW is also planning to launch a plug-in hybrid specs version with the same unit. Nothing has officially been confirmed about the India bound model yet, but it might get revealed with the top-spec diesel and petrol engine, packed with an automatic transmission. If all the assumptions turn out to be real, then the Indian shores will have amazed with this unit by the early next year.
Source: AutocarIndia
Get latest and updated information about automobiles on our Google Plus Community Speed Gears.
