Text and photo: Ksenia Nyudikova The fact that "Mini cooper" is my first love, both friends and acquaintances know, I never hid it. This fashion brand has long won the hearts of the stylish world and the "golden" youth. although this "baby" is not affordable for everyone, and, unfortunately, is not involved in summer sales.
But behind the wheel of the “big-eyed” you will noticeably stand out from the crowd: after all, you will recognize “Mini cooper” from a thousand! I think that real mods are ready to fork out for this, especially since there is a choice of modifications for different tastes from base to chili.
Big brother of a little ... But not the eldest
The first time I saw this “other” Mini in one of the Dubai parking lots, I said, “Oh, yes!” My 2005 “old man” was clearly inferior to the brand new Mini Cooper S Countryman. Well, firstly, his brother grew up, and secondly - he became stronger. And thirdly, it’s a sin to conceal - smarter. Although the “face” is just as recognizable: as they say, from one “mother”, or rather “dad” Geert Hildebrand, under whose leadership the images of the Mini hatchback, as well as Clubman, Countryman and Cabrio models were created over ten years.
COMPOSITION OF BMW CONCERN
In 2000, BMW transferred the Mini production facilities to a separate, newly formed subsidiary. The release of four special modifications ended the production of the old Mini model.
In 2001, under the leadership of BMW, the old car factory in Oxford (United Kingdom) was updated, and the release of new Mini models began (spelled in capital letters to distinguish it from the classic Mini). In 2003, a remake of the 1969 Italian Robbery movie was released with Mark Wahlberg, Jason Statham, Charlize Theron and Edward Norton in the lead roles. The new Mini played an important role in the film. In 201011, a new model of retro car was created - Mini Countryman. (W)
When I found out about the opportunity to independently test the new Mini, my happiness knew no bounds! This is All 4! If even in my "old man" I climbed into the most inaccessible places (for which I sometimes call it MINIGIP), you can imagine how wide horizons and high peaks open with this machine! A "treacherous plan," or rather a route, immediately drew in my head ...
Mini COOPER S COUNTRYMAN
With a proprietary all-wheel drive system, All 4 accelerates to 100 km / h in 7.6 s and develops a top speed of 215 km / h. Average fuel consumption of Mini Cooper S Countryman (combined cycle) - 6.1 l / 100 km
- Trunk volume 1,170 L (max.)
- Allowable Weight 1,780 kg (Max.)
- Roof load 75 kg (max.)
- Fuel tank 47 l
- Gearbox 6 steps (mech. / Auto.)
- Engine displacement 1 598 cm 3
- Power 184 HP
- Curb weight (DIN / EC) 1 310/1 385 kg
Day with a loved one
They gave me a car for exactly one day — enough to understand and study the character of this “out-of-town Maine”. Mini Cooper S Countryman is no longer a compact “help-out” for a megalopolis, easily slipping into any “crack in a traffic jam”, but not yet an SUV. Mini Cooper S Countryman - a real crossover. I immediately wanted to gather friends and go on a trip! The adventurous nature of my colleague and girlfriend Ola from the marketing department joyfully joined me. She during the trip involuntarily turned into a real navigator, who helped to plot our route “online”. With her light hand, we managed to quickly find an overnight stay in Al Ain (very, by the way, successful, in a hotel unknown to us until then called One to One)
According to the plan, the road was far away ... I wanted to get somewhere far and higher. Mount Jebel Hafeet in the oasis town of Al Ain was perfect for conquering the summit, and we went there.
They gathered quickly, in just half an hour, as impatience quenched as soon as possible to move on. They threw their bags into the spacious trunk (good, now it's wider and deeper), sat down and went!
This is comfort!
The first feeling when you get in a car of this class is comfort! Salon at Countryman is characterized by build quality and materials used, however, like all Mini cars. The car starts with a button, and not with a turn of the key, which is much more convenient.
The speedometer is located in the center, it is also the on-board computer screen. We have not had time to set off yet, but our journey has already begun: a car-infotainment journey is broadcast from the inside using Mini Connected!
Mini Countryman boasts a full range of inputs and outputs for our services - innovative technology to make communication with the outside world even more convenient! To choose from: WEB RADIO, NEWS, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, MINIMALISM ANALYSER, DYNAMIC MUSIC, PLUG IN. The graphics are very clear, the menu is logical.
You control the computer with the help of a mini-joystick that rotates around its axis. I, the user of iPhones, always tried to poke a finger on the screen, and, playing with the joystick, sometimes missed and got into another submenu. I think this is a matter of habit, and BlackBerry users will find it easier.
Ola (by the way, the owner of the BlackBerry) deftly found the recently opened hotel in Al Ain. In vain we worried that it was new, and perhaps it was not marked on the map: the integrated navigation system immediately responded to the request and paved the shortest path. To be sure, we connected Google Map on the phone.
Everything worked like a watch, almost synchronously, minute per minute. Connecting various devices: iPhone, iPod or iPad, plus connecting via BLUETOOTH. Although, of course, few people will be surprised at this now, but nevertheless, a pleasant trifle.
On road
Owners of the Mini, I think, understand me very well - sometimes it’s just impossible to control yourself, you just want to rush off! You just don’t notice how the numbers 160 - 180 km / h are formed on the speedometer. Everything happens so naturally! The main thing to know, "where is the radar" ... We drove out when the sun had already set.
Pleased with the light: it can be set to automatic mode, and he himself will adjust to the degree of illumination of the road. It is very easy to operate the machine: it obeys the steering wheel implicitly. Four-wheel drive turns the driving process into an exciting, sometimes hooligan, ride. Initially, Countryman has front-wheel drive, but in the event of slipping, the rear wheels are instantly connected.
After spending the night at the hotel, early in the morning we went to Jebel Hafit. Climbing is a pleasure ... If we compare Countryman with an athlete, then we can say that he’s not even “wet”. On the contrary, the motor purred, the rise was very easy. Even when we were a little ruffian, exceeding the speed limit, no discomfort or sense of danger arose. Cornering stable, without skidding.
Big sandbox
On the outskirts of the town, brightly red desert dunes spread on both sides of the Al Ain - Dubai highway, revealing landscapes of extraordinary beauty to us! There was no strength to control ourselves, and we moved out of the way, as they say, to “wet the legs”. Now I can confidently confirm that the Mini Cooper S Countryman is still not an SUV, and you won’t be able to go “darting” along the dunes. Factory tires for this kind of adventure is not designed.
If you had to be a participant in a desert safari, then you should know: before dropping into the sand, it is necessary to reduce the pressure in the tires by letting air out. With Countryman wheels (Runflat Tires), such a number will not work, there’s practically nothing to lower into them! Although this point is quite convenient for me from a safety point of view: at high speeds, at high temperatures in the summer in the Emirates, tires on the roads often explode. This will not happen with the Mini Cooper S Countryman, it doesn’t even have a reserve.
Having got out of the sand, with a sense of accomplishment, we pressed the "house" button, which is located next to the gearbox, and the "thread" with a flag on the screen showed us the way back ... Friends are checked on trips, and after this trip I can answer the question in the affirmative : "Do I want myself such a" man "?". Want! After admiring the beauties of AlAin and Oman from the top of the mountain and having a mini-photo shoot, we went back.
