It is no secret that MINI Countryman brought on lots of controversy to the brand when it was introduced last year. Some MINI purists (They'd better drive Morris MINI, not R50 or any newer MINIs!) cried foul saying Countryman is no 'MINI' due to its.. well.. medium size. Critics also scorned the Countryman as a car that no longer carry the MINI characteristic with its aggressive and rugged stance with higher ground clearance and center of gravity, and 4 doors!! Well...while no one can argue about its bigger size (it's still 3.5 in shorter than Volkswagen Golf actually - 161.8in vs 165.4in) , many of us who've actually driven one and experience the car know that Countryman is undoubtedly and unmistakably a MINI with all DNA and traits that shape the BMW-built, modern MINI. Moreover, the new Countryman has fast become an essential member of MINI family, making up more than quarter of MINI's
US monthly sales, and attracting tons of new customers around the world - making it possible for MINI to set new sales record for the brand, and it is not showing any sign of stopping.
Timothy Cain of GoodCarBadCar.net, an Auto Review, Analysis, Stats And Opinion blog that I frequent, wrote an interesting article on MINI Countryman's impact on the MINI line up. Head over to
GoodCarBadCar.net to
read more.
Just back from a tour of the Sierras near Lake Tahoe while attending my daughter's wedding. I found the handling of the CM4 to be excellent - and FUN. Even more amazing was getting 33MPG for the trek. The funny part is I saw only one other MINI in four days on back roads and freeways.
ReplyDelete-George