News / 9 November 2023 / Michael Taylor

Mini launching new hot crossover in South Africa in 2024 – 0-100km/h in 5 seconds

Mini has just confirmed that it will be launching the new Countryman range in South Africa in the second quarter of 2024.

This follows the news that the German company would introduce the all-electric Countryman SE during the same period next year, adding a second battery-powered model to its catalogue alongside the Cooper SE.

The largest vehicle in Mini’s arsenal, the next-generation Countryman will offer even more space while also ramping up its off-road capabilities for a well-rounded experience.

Performance

Alongside the new battery-powered model, Mini will once again be offering a high-performance petrol variant coined the John Cooper Works (JCW) Countryman.

As before, the sporty crossover is powered by 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that generates a considerable 233kW and 400Nm, an improvement of 8kW over the outgoing generation.

The new powerplant allows the crossover to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 250km/h – which is intensified by a new dual exhaust by a JCW sound extension booster.

It also comes standard with the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system, and it can handle itself better off the beaten track thanks to a new set of tyres that has seen a diametre increase of 30mm to 710mm, and a tyre width that now measures 245mm, said Mini.

Features

The JCW Countryman has been redesigned to have a minimalist silhouette while prioritizing aerodynamics, leading to the car having a drag coefficient of just 0.26, according to the manufacturer.

Aesthetically, the Mini received new LED headlights and a gloss black octagonal grille, and will now display the revised JCW badge in a black, red, and white colour scheme.

A red theme has been applied to elements like the roof, door mirrors, and brake calipers, and the wheels now measure between 19 and 20 inches, depending on the model.

The red and black theme is carried over to the interior where it can be seen on both the two-tone recycled polyester dashboard and the JCW sports seats.

The rear seats can now be adjusted by up to 13cm for better space and comfort, or folded down entirely to grant access to 1,450 litres of storage.

Toggle switches can be used to access all driving functions, while the central OLED display displays all the car’s features and functions, such as customizing the interface colour palette or tuning driving ambience with various engine sound intensities.

A voice assistant is also available, and the Mini can now have up to 12 ultrasonic sensors and a surround-view camera that enable up to level 2 partially automated driving, if the Driving Assistant Professional optional package is selected.

This system can detect gaps in the traffic for lane changes, and allow the driver to take their hands off the wheel entirely at speeds of up to 60km/h, though the individual must be able to resume control at any time.

More information about the next-generation Mini JCW Countryman, such as its pricing and full equipment list, will be revealed closer to its South African launch date in 2024.