Following an earlier announcement about the new 2018 Mini Countryman being launched in the country, local assembly has commenced at the BMW plant in Chennai. The new Countryman, which comprises 50% local content is affordably priced from INR 34.90 lakhs for the Mini Countryman Cooper S Petrol, INR 37.40 lakhs for the Cooper SD Diesel and at INR 41.40 lakhs for the Cooler S JCW Inspired Petrol. Deliveries are set to commence from later this month.
Offered in three variants – Cooper S, Cooper SD and Cooper S JCW Inspired, with petrol and diesel engine options, onboard features include redesigned headlamps, U shaped front grille, large airdam, circular fog lamps and new LED tail lamps. The 2018 MINI Countryman launch in India was announced earlier in May.
It also gets 17″ or 18″ alloy wheels depending on variants. Interior features include a new 8.8” touchscreen infotainment system, rain sensing wipers, automatic climate control, cruise control, headsup display, wireless charging, rear view camera and an automatic tailgate.
2018 Mini Countryman will get its power via a 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder petrol engine offering 189 hp power and 280 Nm torque and a 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder diesel engine capable of 188 hp power and 400 Nm torque. Both engines get mated to an 8 speed automatic transmission. 4 wheel driver or ALL4 versions are on offer in international markets but the India spec model gets FWD only.
Dr. Jochen Stallkamp, Managing Director – BMW Group Plant Chennai oversaw the all-new MINI Countryman roll-out at the plant. The launch is part of the BMW Group’s well defined product offensive for the Indian market in 2018. Over recent years, BMW Group has categorically increased local content in vehicles manufactured at the Chennai plant.
Through Q1 2018, Mini reported growth at 15 percent at 136 cars sold. The new car is assembled in Chennai. In strengthening the Mini brand, the company recently launched the Cooper range.
