This can be a shock – BMW Group Malaysia has quietly launched the U25 MINI Countryman S All4 on the ongoing Sime Darby Motor Automania occasion, becoming a member of the electrical SE and the new John Cooper Works. The cooking gentle hybrid mannequin is a step beneath the JCW when it comes to efficiency, though it isn’t truly all that less expensive.
The truth is, the Countryman S prices an eye-watering RM348,888 on-the-road with out insurance coverage – a full RM105,000 dearer than the outgoing run-out F60 Cooper S Countryman in JCW trim, and solely RM41,000 inexpensive than the full-fat RM389,888 JCW.
This, by the way in which, is with the usual two-year, unlimited-mileage guarantee – when you plump for the four-year guarantee and repair package deal, this determine balloons to RM359,288. The automobile is CBU totally imported from Leipzig, Germany; we’d think about CKD native meeting will come shortly to decrease the worth.
The Countryman S seems to be nearly similar to the SE, however instead of that automobile’s twin electrical motors is a 2.0 litre B48 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 204 PS from 5,000 to six,500 rpm and 320 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. A 48-volt electrical motor offers an extra 20 PS and 55 Nm of accelerative increase, leading to outputs of 218 PS and 360 Nm.
Paired with an eight-speed automated gearbox, the all-wheel-drive Countryman S is ready to dash from zero to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds on its option to a prime pace of 228 km/h. Gas consumption is rated at 6.8 litres per 100 km on the WLTP cycle.
Other than the “S” badges being colored purple as an alternative of lime inexperienced, the S seems similar to the SE. It too comes within the range-topping Favoured trim, bringing with it Vibrant Silver (learn: gold) accents, ornamental skid plates and a alternative of both Piano Black or Vibrant Silver roof and door mirrors. It additionally rides on 20-inch Windmill Spoke two-tone alloy wheels.
Inside, the S will get a 3D-knit cloth dashboard and door card wrap that gradates to Classic Brown in direction of the rear doorways. Right here, the Favoured package deal provides JCW sport seats wrapped in Vescin Beading fake leather-based in both Classic Brown or Darkish Petrol.
By way of tech, you get MINI’s distinctive 9.4-inch round OLED touchscreen that integrates not solely the air-con controls but additionally the pace readout, very similar to the Volvo EX30. It runs on the Android-based MINI Working System 9 and comes with a “Hey MINI” voice management system, visualised by a canine avatar referred to as Spike. The deletion of the instrument cluster has been compensated by the addition of a head-up show.
Behind the show sit two projectors that show patterns onto both aspect of the dashboard, relying on the drive mode chosen. You additionally get augmented actuality navigation, the smartphone-based MINI Digital Key Plus, MINI Driving Sounds and a 360-degree digital camera system with Distant 3D View.
Different bits of ordinary package embrace keyless entry with proximity locking/unlocking, exterior MINI emblem projection, power-adjustable entrance seats with driver’s aspect reminiscence, lumbar adjustment and therapeutic massage features, dual-zone local weather management and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon encompass sound system. The hands-free powered tailgate opens as much as a boot that’s truly barely smaller at 450 litres, as a result of want to accommodate the gentle hybrid battery beneath, though you possibly can fold the rear seats to spice up baggage house to 1,450 litres.
Security-wise, the Countryman S comes as commonplace with the Driving Assistant package deal, which incorporates autonomous emergency braking, lane retaining help, blind spot monitoring, rear collision warning and rear cross site visitors alert. Additionally fitted is Parking Assistant Plus, throwing on park help, a Manoeuvring Assistant, a Reversing Assistant and a 360-degree digital camera system with distant 3D view.
The automobile additionally will get all of the {hardware} crucial for Driving Assistant Plus, including adaptive cruise management with cease and go, lane centring help and site visitors signal recognition. Nonetheless, you’ll should pay for a subscription to activate it, which prices RM202 monthly – or you possibly can trump up RM4,481 for it to be unlocked for the lifetime of the automobile.
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