Review: S2011 BMW Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 Provides Fun in a Mature Cooper

Turbo-charged

Direct-injected

1.6 liter

Inline four-cylinder

Four valves per cylinder

Six speed manual transmission

Full-time all-wheel drive

181 at 5, 500 rpm horsepower

177 pound-feet at 1,600 to 5,000 rpm torque

161.8 inches in length

102.2 inch wheelbase

Curb weight at 3,208 pounds

0 to 60 in 7.3 seconds

EPA fuel economy estimate of 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway

BMW matures the Mini Cooper into a four door to better accommodate those with additional passengers (think children) and needing additional cargo space (think groceries for the children) without losing that iconic Mini Cooper style.

This four door Cooper is slightly larger than preceding Cooper models by fifteen inches, which allows better accommodation for back seat passengers’ legs, cargo space, and the additional two doors. There is a low divisor that runs down the middle of the car beginning under the front console and ending between the rear seats. The divisor has a mount at front, with a captain’s chair armrest immediately behind it, two cup holders between the rear seats (one with removable ash tray) and hard shell case for glasses.

The interior design follows that of an aviation theme with its many circular features, toggles, and flip switches. There is an over sized 6.5 inch in diameter circular speedometer topping the center console. Door handles, vents, speakers, toggles for review mirrors, and push start button are all circular. The aviation theme also extends to the flip switches that control the car’s interior lighting and four windows.

There is a six speed automatic available in two of the designs. This Cooper is equipped with a turbo charged, direct-injection 1.6 liter engine that gains speed quickly. It is also equipped with a permanent all wheel drive that calculates driver’s speed, steering and acceleration so the car’s engine power can be distributed efficiently, and torque between the front and back axles to maintain stabilization during turns.

Wind noise can be a bit of a bother due to the weak soundproofing of the undercarriage. When the windows are down, the screen of the sunroof rattles. With its larger wheelbase, its not as a easy to make U-turns or fit into narrow parking in comparison to the Cooper hardtop – but the ease of these maneuvers still far exceed that of any four door currently on the market.

Overall, the S2011 BMW Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 is reminiscent of its predecessors in a lot of ways, but is now large enough for the entire four member family to enjoy comfortably.