There’s a second-generation of MINI’s Countryman SUV in the making, with the finished product set for a reveal at the Paris Motor Show in October, followed next year by what you see here, the sporty John Cooper Works model.
Powering the JCW Countryman ALL4 will be MINI’s new 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine from its JCW-badged Hatch and Cabriolet, churning out 228hp and 236 lb-ft (320Nm) of torque, or 20hp and 44 lb-ft (60Nm) over the current model.
The four-pot will be hooked up to a standard 6sp manual or an optional 8sp automatic, and the same electronically-controlled four-wheel drive system found in the related BMW X1.
Like the X1, as well as MINI’s new launched Clubman estate, the next Countryman is based on the BMW Group’s modular UKL1 architecture with the SUV stretching by around 150mm in length to close to 4.3 meters, while gaining a longer wheelbase, and a wider and taller body, all of which will improve interior space, especially at the back.
In JCW guise, the new Countryman’s chassis will get a sports suspension and steering system tuning, bigger wheels wrapped in beefier rubber, and larger Brembo brakes.
The next Countryman’s styling won’t change dramatically, with spy shots of both the regular model and the JCW seen here indicating a rather stale approach – even fans of the brand will have a hard time calling it anything more than ‘evolutionary’, with tweaked ends and slightly more muscular surfaces. The JCW edition will pack some added sway with a modest bodykit and fancier trims.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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