SCORES of journalists from 11 Central & South American countries and Jamaica converged at the Casona Juarez in Mexico City, Mexico, for a first look at the new MINI Cooper S Countryman recently.

Carlos Sheridan, head of MINI for the Latin America and Caribbean region, said his company would be putting its promotional muscle behind this model of the iconic brand.

“The MINI is very popular in Mexico as well as in South America. The Countryman is one of our newest models, the new kid on the block, so that’s gonna be something we’re gonna push. We will be launching it in Latin America and the Caribbean. Jamaica will have it, let’s say the second quarter of next year,” Sheridan told

Jamaica Observer’s Auto magazine.

“It’s ideal for urban cities as well as off-road adventures. It’s a SAV — a Sports Activity Vehicle — so we’re entering a whole new market segment. It’s bigger, it’s wider, it’s longer, which makes manoeuvring quite effortless and nimble. It has a rugged suspension and it’s very safe,” he continued.

According to media release, the new four-door, five-seater Countryman is more versatile than the previous model and is increased in size by an additional 20 centimetres. The space is distributed throughout the cabin and in the trunk. Also, the generation change is complemented in advances in versatility, sportiveness and premium quality.

The power of the new MINI Countryman is due to two current-generation gasoline engine variants with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology — the first one is powered by a three-cylinder 1499 cc engine reaching 100 kW/136 hp with a maximum of torque 220 Nm; while the four-cylinder 1998 cc engine reaches 141 kW/192 hp thanks to the maximum torque of 280 Nm. Both engines allow combining this power with maximised efficiency of the ALL4 comprehensive drive system.

Additionally, in response to BMW Group’s strategy of providing choices to benefit the environment, the new MINI Countryman premieres the British brand with a plug-in hybrid engine; when combined with the comprehensive drive system, the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 achieves a range of up to 40 kilometres in all-electric mode, thanks to the synergy of both engines. the vehicle uses a three-cylinder 1499 cc gasoline engine and delivers a power of 100 kW/136 hp, and provides a perfect synchrony with the electric engine that delivers a power of 65 kW/88 hp, which altogether total 165 kW/224 hp and a system pair of 385 Nm.

The unmistakable personality of the new MINI Countryman is achieved through its expressive design and typical features — optional LED headlights and daytime running lights, created for the first time by a light line completely surrounding the headlights. The functionality is complemented with a colour 8.8-inch screen within the instrument cluster accompanying the Professional MINI navigational system and which now offers touch-screen capabilities. Other novelties are the MINI County timer that records off-road journeys; the new MINI Picnic Bench which, placed at the edge of the trunk, may become a comfortable seat to enjoy outdoors; and the MINI Find Mate, making it easier for the driver to look for bags, keys and other accessories.

Sheridan gave an insight as to who the target market for the luxury brand is.

“It’s not about age, it’s not about gender. What we’re targeting is the hearts… the young at heart. People who want to stand out. People who want to be different, and if you have that mindset, then the MINI is right for you,” he said.