| Aziz Idris |
THE new MINI Countryman has reached the shores of Brunei, making it one of the first countries in the region to offer the largest car ever built by the British brand, during a sneak preview event held at QAF Auto’s MINI Showroom in Mabohai last night.
The second generation MINI Countryman has a completely new look and reflects considerable advancement in the areas of space, functionality, athletic flair and premium characteristics.
Andy Tian, QAF Auto Head of Sales and Marketing, told the Sunday Bulletin that it was a thrilling feeling to be one of the first markets to offer the new MINI Countryman in the region.
“MINI has a strong following in Brunei, and we believe the new MINI Countryman is the car they have longed to drive every day, everywhere and for every occasion,” he added.
The new Countryman is 20 centimetres longer and approximately three centimetres wider than its predecessors with five fully fledged seats, a clear increase in space and versatility.
The new MINI Countryman. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM
The interior of the new MINI
Its design features elements that are typical of the brand, including the clear three-way structure of the side view – broken down into roof, glass section and main corpus – as well as the short overhangs, large wheel arches and downward increase in width.
The selection of body finishes include the variants Island Blue and Chestnut, which are now available for a MINI for the first time. One of the trademarks of MINI is the broad range of individualisation that reflects personal style.
A nifty feature of the new model is the MINI Picnic Bench which folds out a sill cushion that retracts under the boot floor and can be used to sit on the rear bumper.
MINI claims it was designed to fit two people to sit comfortably while enjoying the great outdoors.
QAF Auto offers two variants of the Countryman – MINI Cooper Countryman 1.5 litres with a three-cylinder MINI turbocharged engine which boasts 136 horsepower and a top speed of 200 kilometres per hour and the MINI Cooper S Countryman 2.0 litres equipped with a four-cylinder MINI turbocharged engine that generates 192 horsepower and can go from 0 to 100 in 7.4 seconds.
Meanwhile, Peter Medalla, Head of MINI Asia, in press statement said, “The second generation MINI Countryman advances the brand within the premium compact segment.
“MINI fans in Brunei will be excited to know that their new daily companion is just as nimble on the streets as well as off-roads. We are confident that the new MINI Countryman will deliver fun and excitement every time you get behind the wheel.”
Members of the public are invited to visit the MINI Showroom in Mabohai and talk to the sales representative for a test drive and be one of the first MINI Countryman owners in the region.
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