MINI Boss Decides to Play the Guess Game

MINI’s chief designer confirms new models

New Countryman Coupe?

BMW-owned MINI has confirmed that there is a chance that MINI Pacemen could come back as the Five-Door MINI Countryman coupe-SUV. MINI is thinking of extending its line-up and adding a coupe version of the all-new Countryman to its range will be an indirect replacement for the old Pacemen.

The new images show that how the new car might look, however it is still unknown that this new vehicle will be an extension to the Countryman line-up or the fifth and final model in MINI’s product range.

What the Chief Designer had to say?

BMW Group design boss Adrian van Hooydonk said that MINI is thinking of a different take on the Paceman formula. If the green lights are given, the New Five-Door Coupe would most probably be launched in 2018. This will provide breathing space for the all-new Countryman when it launches early in 2017.

Adrian van Hooydonk said, “Part of the issue was the three doors, we have looked into a lot of things, but all of our [BMW] SUV coupes are five-door vehicles.

“As much as people probably drive the cars with only one or two people, they like the comfort of an extra set of doors. They want to carry extra stuff – throw a bag in the rear or take someone.”

Hooydonk also said, “At the moment we are laying the foundations for the next-generation MINIs, there are a lot of things that we are discussing. What type of technology, what type of design, and what type of vehicle line-up. I am involved in this on a daily basis.

“We have turned MINI from one car into a brand. We have managed to attract people to the brand who knew the old car – but you can’t ask people to compromise any more.”

Engines stay the same

The new coupe will be built on the same UKL1 platform as the latest Countryman, but as the exclusive images show that it will be lower and will have a more belligerent raked roofline. The new Countryman will take the fight to Range Rover Evoque with a nearly same boot and rear cabin.

As the Paceman and Countryman share the same platform, this means the Countryman’s engine range of three and four-cylinder will be unchanged. The standard engine will be the base 1.5 litre Cooper, the cost-effective Cooper D and Sporty Cooper S. A top of the range John Cooper Works hot SUV is also an option.

BMW Enjoying the Success

Meanwhile the BMW keeps on enjoying success as the X4 and X6 coupe-SUVs have enjoyed huge sales and now a third model, X2 is due by 2018. A new MINI Countryman coupe would be launched with prices likely to start at around £25,000.

The MINI Countryman is a combination of the dated styling of the MINI hatch turned into a five-door SUV. However, it has proven very successful and gives run for their money to rivals such as the Fiat 500X, Nissan Qashqai and Jeep Renegade. It has unique looks, stylish interior and holds its worth.