Latest news with #Countryman
Edmunds
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Edmunds
2025 Mini Countryman S: What's It Like to Live With?
Why did we get it? We have a habit of taking on Minis here at Edmunds. Not too long ago we added a similarly green Mini Cooper S to our garage. A lot more of Mini's legacy rode on the shoulders of that car because of its more traditional size and shape, and frankly, there was only the faintest whiff of that old magic in that car's bones. But the question here is largely the same. Does Mini still have the juice? The entire lineup has been reborn since then — all Cooper and Countryman models are new. So does the Countryman offer an exciting, more whimsical alternative to the bland malaise of two-row crossovers you see everywhere? Is it the antidote to the relentless slog of boring, uninspired, bad-to-drive, not-so-cute utes that have taken over our roads? A year of evaluation is going to help us figure out that and much, much more. What's happened so far? We've spent a lot of time behind the wheel of our Mini already. A round-trip drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back revealed a lot about its credentials as a long-distance cruiser (and just how fuel-efficient it can be). We also already need to take it in for a service. Look for updates about all that (and more) in the coming months. Something tells us it's going to be an interesting year.
NZ Autocar
6 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
JCW on track
Mini is a brand built on attitude, agility and a dash of cheeky charm. Its John Cooper Works range makes a 'look at me' statement. At the RACQ Mobility Centre in Queensland, I got behind the wheel of the NZ models. With a mix of petrol and electric, coupe and SUV, does the new generation still deliver that go-kart magic? Spoiler: it absolutely does. But each model speaks its own dialect of fun. This is the purist's pick. Compact, punchy and alert. It made slicing through tight corners feel like second nature. Every steering input felt like a direct line to the tyres. As for Go-Kart Mode? A riot. It holds gears, amplifies the sound and lets the 2.0-litre turbo sing with pops and crackles that make you grin midcorner. The brakes were one of the few minor letdowns; they're soft underfoot and a little vague during hard downhill braking. Not a dealbreaker but just not quite the sharp bite you'd expect from something this eager in the bends. With its SUV silhouette and family-first focus, the JCW Countryman brings muscle to the mix. It's the quickest on paper, clocking 0–100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, and it certainly felt torquey on corner exit. But when pushed, its comfort-focused set-up leaned more into compliance than control. You feel the weight shift, especially through longer bends, where understeer creeps in and the chassis is slower to react. The Countryman in this instance, was poised on Continental EcoContact tyres that prioritise comfort over grip. That likely adds to its more relaxed attitude. But for a go-fast family wagon, it still wears the JCW badge with a healthy dose of charm. Read more 2024 Mini Countryman JCW All4 Flavoured review Then came the curveballs: the electric Mini JCW and the Aceman JCW EV. These two hit the wet slalom and drag strip with surprising finesse. Despite being physically larger, the Aceman felt more planted and composed than the coupe. It danced through the cones with confidence, showing almost zero body roll and crisp transitions. Both use the same drivetrain: 170kW standard, amped to 190kW in 'Boost' mode. Hit the button, count it down, and launch. On the drag run, Boost made a clear and dramatic difference. Braking? Surprisingly strong. The regenerative system in the EVs was a standout. Adaptive regen that learns your driving style produces a very 'normal' feel compared to most EVs. And to top it off, the electric JCWs felt more composed under pressure than their petrol counterparts. And yes, even in the wet. But here's what really caught me off guard: the sound. Mini has leaned into artificial engine noise in Go-Kart Mode. And it works. It's not trying to pretend it's petrol. It's giving the EVs their own soundtrack. The result is engaging, reactive and totally in character for Mini's playful personality. All five models share the same modern Mini cabin. A circular 9.4-inch OLED display front and centre delivers crisp visuals, clever drive modes and Mini's signature sense of humour. The graphics are bold, the new voice assistant adds sass and the layout is clean and engaging without becoming distracting. In Go-Kart mode, the voice assistant reminded me exactly of Mini's intention – fun – by the audible 'woo-hoo' as we ventured into each corner. Seats were grippy and comfortable in every model, but the steering wheel? Chunky. Every car had the same oversized wheel, which felt at odds with how nimble these cars actually are. The JCW coupe was the standout for engagement. Tight, direct, and eager. The EVs, especially the Aceman, felt remarkably planted and poised. Despite their extra weight, they were confident through quick transitions and felt every bit as spirited as their petrol siblings. The Countryman leaned harder into comfort. While powerful in a straight line, it felt looser at the edges and more SUV than sports car when really pushed. But that might be the exact trade-off buyers want: performance without sacrificing practicality. The 2025 Mini John Cooper Works range proves that performance doesn't have to come in just one flavour. Whether you're chasing sharp cornering, urban zip, family practicality, or EV thrills, there's a JCW built for you. And the best part? They all still feel like Minis. The go-kart DNA is alive and well. The vibe is cheeky. The drive is fun. Mini hasn't tamed its rebel spirit; it's just given it more ways to shine.
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Mini Cooper S (3-Door) Gets Price Protection Assurance: Here's What It Is
Mini has now announced an initiative under which the Mini Cooper S (3-door) gets a protection assurance program. The brand claims that the program is designed to provide hassle-free accessibility to the customers and pass on the benefits of any price reduction in the near future. Mr. Vikram Pawah, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said- "Mini has always stood for innovation and a bold character. With the price protection assurance program for Mini 3-Door Cooper S, Mini is staying a step ahead and ensuring that customers are able to receive the full benefit of any major price reductions resulting from anticipated duty cuts. They can buy their favourite Mini today and do not have to wait longer to make the purchase decision. This bold decision reflects the brand's exceptional focus on customer centricity, trust and best interest of the MINI community." Mini Cooper S 3 Door Interior The price protection program is valid on the Mini 3-Door Cooper S, which is available in India is a completely built-up unit. The model is produced at Mini Plant Oxford in the United Kingdom. Mini also claims that under the limited period offer, cars bought from now onwards will be covered till the next 180 days. If the price is reduced during this period, the respective dealership will refund the differential amount between the net invoiced price and the new ex-showroom price back to the customer. The current ex-showroom price of the Mini 3-Door Cooper S starts at Rs 44,90,000. The offer can be availed at any authorised Mini dealership in India. While the Mini Cooper S gets the benefits under the program, the other member of the Mini family- the Countryman is excluded from the initiative. The Mini Countryman is also available in India as a completely built-up unit, but is produced at the BMW Group Plant Leipzig, Germany.
TimesLIVE
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Crossing the 1,000km mark in our MINI Countryman SE ALL4
Trying to squeeze myself into the more compact Mini had me longing instead for the easy egress and ingress of the Countryman, as well as its rear doors, which make life a whole lot easier, particularly for rear occupants. That is why the concept of a big Mini was conceived in the first place, appealing to buyers who want those distinctive brand hallmarks, but have totally outgrown the limited capabilities of the original format. Another thing that has required adjustment, especially coming out of my last longer-term tester (a bakkie); is the alertness levels for potholes. It is a good thing the Mini is fairly agile on its feet, because those 19-inch rollers were not designed for surmounting craters in the asphalt. In our next update, we plan to take a long-distance trip out to visit an off-grid solar charging facility in Wolmaransstad. LONG-TERM UPDATE 2 | MINI Countryman SE ALL4 ODOMETER ON DELIVERY: 4,621km CURRENT ODOMETER: 5,621km PRAISES: 400km on a full-charge is decent in the real world.
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Australia's sole Q Fever vaccine provider confirms it is prepared to combat the country's rising case numbers
Australia's sole Q Fever vaccine provider says the serious bacterial infection vaccine is no longer in short supply, quelling fears the farming industry would not be able to combat rising case numbers across the country. Concerns arose after Cattle Australia called for an urgent $3 million cash injection to bring a new Q Fever vaccine to market on April 29. CSL Seqirus — manufacturer of the Q-VAX vaccine in Melbourne — confirmed with the Countryman current supply levels would meet current demand. The zoonotic disease is transmitted predominantly from goats, sheep and cattle and is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. It is released through faeces, urine, milk and birth products from infected animals but can spread through the air and dust. Most people in Australia are unaware of the disease and its potential consequences, including flu-like symptoms, pneumonia and hepatitis. Victoria experienced five notified outbreaks between August and December last year, with a total of 77 notified cases — more than double the State's average annual incident of the past five years. This year alone, six cases have been reported to WA Health, while 16 cases were reported in 2024 — spiking in the back end of the year. The yearly average is eight in Western Australia. A CSL Seqirus spokesperson said 'normal supply' for the Q-VAX vaccine resumed in February, following a period of limited supply where stock was managed centrally to ensure access for people at the highest risk of infection. 'Approximately 30 to 40,000 Australians are vaccinated against Q fever annually and this is typically driven by workplace vaccinations, public health campaigns and outbreaks of disease,' they said. 'We have been working closely with local Public Health Units in regions with outbreaks to ensure access to vaccination. 'There is always the potential for small increases in demand due to outbreaks and our annual supply planning takes this into account.' They said a new 'world-class' manufacturing facility near Melbourne Airport is due for completion in 2026 which will manufacture vaccines and antivenoms for Australia and the world. There are more than 80 clinics offering Q fever vaccinations across the State.
