Official MINI Countryman photographs leaked

[Rallynor]

A four door MINI???????? Noooooooooooooooooooo!
Sorry, but I think it spoils the image of MINI.
But that's my opinion only. I'm sure when I see it in the flesh, I will probably like it as I didn't like the Clubman at first and I do now.

[Ben]

CAR Online have got some more pics up, and I really like the overall shape - it's got the MINI cues, without being too twee, and the front grille/lights work really well. I am also surprised by how well the rear 3/4 window works too, as I normally hate window lines that don't run smoothly in to each other.

Inside, the car looks quite narrow - but it might just be the photogrpahs - and the lower dash and rear door cards do look pretty cheap and nasty plastic :-/

You also just know that the motoring press will jump on the 'impracticality' of it being a four seater only too!

[magnetizedMINI]

Not a fan if im totally honest, i like the new moke concept but this i just see as a cash cow product, and on that subject, a cows rear end looks better than the countrymans, it awful!

[Goonery]

Originally Posted by Ben

You also just know that the motoring press will jump on the 'impracticality' of it being a four seater only too!

As I've said in other threads, the no cost option bench seat gives 5 seats for those that want them

Mod request, can we merge all these threads, there are at least 3 on the same subject now

[supa-dupa-cooper]

If only it had proper 'MINI shaped' headlights, then it might look half decent

Will wait till I see one in the flesh before slagging it off completly, but from first looks, I don't like it. Mind you, seem to remember not being sold on the Clubman at first...now we've got one!

[Big Go-Cart]

It looks the new Kia,the new shaped Picasso and all other mini MPVs that really want to look like small vans I can live with the others but it saddens me to see a MINI badge on it.

[Goonerij]

It just looks wrong .... and those wheels look so small

[Dalboyne]

Hmm, just like every launch since the first one, opinion is polarised, and there's lots of debate (which means at least interest is high).

As stated by others, I do think it has to be a design that grows on you, will keep looking distinct on the roads for some time to come, and won't quickly become "old hat". The MINI still looks unique on the road - there's still no other car that can be mistaken for one.....even in the dark, you can always spot the MINI thanks to the lights

I'd love to know what (if any) of the design (and power plants) could be cues for the next generation of the rest of the range.

I'm sad it's not built at Plant Oxford, though, but if that's just because Oxford is running at capacity, then that would be a good thing?

Looking forwards to the launch - hope we get invited!

[Dalboyne]

Originally Posted by Step_7

I want the part number for one of those HUGE badges for my shed/future garage!

Oh yes! As the badge is a concealed door handle - that would be a really cool handle for a garage door!

[tcbw]

Mini Countryman - Bilmagasinet.dk

Actually, at these speeds, and on these roads, this seems to drive pretty well, very little body roll that I could see (that is, while in a meeting at work!) and quite MINI-ish.

...or am I completely shortsighted?