Driving the Mini Countryman S – a 2.0-litre turbo petrol 7-speed automatic all-
wheel drive five door in the mid-spec Favoured grade – all up $61,990 plus on-
road costs. Designed with an adventurous spirit this premium level Mini has
enjoyed strong growth this year – sales up 155 percent. The Mini Countryman
different, now roomier with features that border on being quirky. It’s not for
everyone but for those buyers who like a little individuality it has real appeal. The
performance very satisfying – strong and smooth with all-wheel drive grip on 19-
inch alloys with 45-series Continental tyres and with the longest wheelbase in the
five-model Mini model line-up offering a quality ride. And with Mini part of the
BMW group, it carries the Bavarian company’s reputation for exceptional steering
and dynamics. The Countryman returned nearly 9 L/100km with mainly city
driving, not exceptional and on a dearer diet of 95 octane petrol but I didn’t drive
it with economy in mind – rather enjoying its strong performance through the
gears. Given its adventurous spirit I would have liked a spare wheel rather than a
tyre repair kit but this aside there was much to like. Warranty a little underdone
though at 5 years/unlimited km. Servicing $2275 over five years.

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Driving the Mini Countryman today – the Mini brand part of the BMW group and
today enjoying strong growth, up 80 percent in the first half, the larger and longer
five-door Countryman the big sales mover, available in petrol or pure electric,
each in several grades. I drove the 2.0-litre turbo petrol 7-speed dual clutch
automatic Countryman S all-wheel drive in the mid-spec Favoured grade –
$61,990 plus on road costs. The Countryman five-door, based on BMW’s X1
platform, a really interesting estate wagon as the name implies, individual and
designed for the adventurous spirit – a go-anywhere compact SUV with premium
finishes, fabulous seats and some novel touches. Step inside and your met with a
round central touch screen and a head up speed display – both of which are
extremely practical and user friendly. The air vents and door handles vertically
aligned and different in an interior that has a lot of character with nice finishes.
Novel touches too like the start/stop toggle switch, parking brake push button
and gear selector set the Mini Countryman apart. It’s not an SUV for everyone, it’s
a little different even quirky but as a compact premium model offers a point of
difference with nice cabin and luggage room.

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Reports out of China indicate the Chinese Government is about to
intervene in the country’s continuing electric car price war – the news
comes as a number of state-owned car makers, particularly GAC and JAC,
are struggling under price pressure, particularly from BYD. As I’ve reported
before thousands of dollars has been slashed off the price of popular
models as Chinese car makers try to gain as much market share as
possible. GWM and Geely executives have already warned of the dire
consequences of the price war with BYD, claiming Chinese cars are too
cheap and unsustainable, and coupled with overproduction, making for an
unhealthy market. GWM’s Chairman, Wei Jianjun, has warned of a potential
industry collapse stating “if it continues like this, the safety of China’s auto
industry will be seriously threatened.”

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