Launched: 2024 MINI Countryman SE & JCW Countryman – From RM260K*

MINI Malaysia kicks off the MAS 2024 by launching the new 2024 MINI Countryman SE and the JCW Countryman.

MINI Malaysia has kicked off the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 (MAS 2024) showcase by launching the all-new, third-gen MINI Countryman. The Malaysian market is getting the marque’s new compact crossover in both the Countryman SE ALL4 all-electric and the souped-up JCW Countryman ALL4 guises.

2024 MINI Countryman SE

Starting with the all-electric model, the new MINI Countryman SE ALL4 underpins the same BMW-supplied UKL2 platform used on both the new BMW iX1 and iX2 EV SUVs. As a result, this all-electric crossover is able to harness a sizable 66.5-kWh battery pack that allows it a decent EV range of 432 KM (WLTP) in a single charge.

Speaking of charging, the new Countryman SE supports AC charging at up to 22 kW, while its DCFC is capped at 130 kW—the latter method enabling a 10-80% charge to be completed in less than 30 minutes.

In terms of power, the new Countryman SE boasts a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup rated at 313 HP and 494 NM. This setup allows the stylish EV crossover to accelerate from nought to 100 KM/H in just 5.6 seconds, while its V-Max is capped at 180 KM/H.

2024 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman

Moving on to the souped-up JCW Countryman ALL4, this hotter, ICE-powered version of the latest generation Countryman harnesses a familiar 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill rated at 300 HP and 400 NM. Mated to a 7-speed Steptronic Sport DCT automatic gearbox and MINI’s proprietary 4ALL AWD system, the JCW Countryman is good for a rapid century sprint time of 5.4 seconds and a V-Max of 250 KM/H.

Besides the peppier turbo-petrol powertrain setup, the JCW Countryman also benefits from the JCW Performance Brakes and an adaptive suspension system that has been tuned for a sportier driving experience, both of which promise a more exhilarating driving experience than its all-electric twin.

Visually, both the MINI Countryman SE and JCW Countryman have a more striking appearance compared to their predecessors. Key design highlights featured here include the new octagonal front grille flanked by the new LED headlights with sharper design, full LED taillights with three different lighting signatures, as well as a slightly curved roof that melds seamlessly into the car’s C pillars.

Distinguishing the new model variants are their trims, with the new Countryman SE arriving exclusively with the Favoured Trim. This adds some stylish pieces of equipment to the EV crossover, including a slew of high-gloss black accents, side mirror caps and roof finished in either Piano Black or Vibrant Silver, new optical skid plates at both front ends, and new 20-inch Windmill Spoke alloy wheels finished in a two-tone hue.

Meanwhile, the sportier JCW Countryman arrives exclusively with the JCW Trim, which includes red side mirror caps and roof, a high-gloss black frame surrounding the front grille and logo, along with red and black bonnet stripes, a high-gloss shaft cover, door cladding elements, as well as a set of 20-inch JCW Flag Spoke alloy wheels shod in sport tyres.

On board, the new Countryman is more sizable compared to its predecessor, featuring a slew of comfort and tech amenities. As standard, both the Countryman variants get the same 9.44-inch rounded infotainment screen that runs on the new MINI OS 9, a smaller digital instrument cluster complemented by an intuitive MINI head-up display (HUD), powered front seats with memory and massage functions for the driver side, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround audio system, and an interior rear-view mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function.

The Countryman SE’s Favoured Trim grants the EV crossover a sport steering wheel, knitted fabric upholstery with houndstooth pattern in Dark Petrol, a coloured accent fabric strip, and JCW sport seats made of Vescin Beading in Vintage Brown or Dark Petrol. Meanwhile, the JCW Countryman features a JCW-specific pattern in red, Anthracite coloured accent fabric strips, and JCW sports seats made of perforated Vescin in JCW Black with Red and Grey accents, as well as a sportier JCW steering wheel.

On the safety front, both the new MINI Countryman SE and JCW Countryman are brimmed with both active and passive safety features, courtesy of MINI Malaysia’s Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant Plus packages. Focusing on the former, both models come standard with standard ADAS functions like Lane Keep Assist, Manual Speed Limit Assist, Avoidance Assistance, Collision Warning, Junction Warning, Lane Change Warning (Blind Spot), Exit Warning, Crossing-Traffic Warning, Road Sign Recognition, and many more.

Opting for the Driving Assistant Plus and Parking Assistant Professional packages will grant the new Countryman some extra ADAS and park-assist functions like Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Manual and Automatic Speed Limit Assistant, Remote Parking Function, Manoeuvring Assistant, and Reversing Assistant.

Now available for booking, the all-new, third-gen 2024 MINI Countryman tentatively starts at RM260,000 for the all-electric Countryman SE ALL4 version, while the souped-up JCW Countryman ALL4 is tagged higher at a tentative price tag of RM399,000. Deliveries for both models are expected to commence later in Q3 this year, which means only by then we’ll get to know the exact prices for these models.