Mini Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired

Although larger and with lots of upgrades, the Countryman is still very much a Mini. In its JCW Inspired avatar, it looks sporty as well. If only it was a little crazier.

- Aniruddha A Rangnekar

MINI WENT MAXI WHEN IT introduced the Countryman in 2010. It was snug, not too pretty, a bit shivery over the bumps, and not quite the playful frolic that Mini’s other cars were. So when the new generation Countryman that you see here arrived, I went in expecting nothing spectacular. Coming with this John Cooper Works Inspired kit, I had high hopes from the drive but you see, in India, we get only the body kit along with subtle changes and not the retuned engine that makes over 40 horses more. Get the ‘Inspired’ moniker now?

The body kit brings with it a few cosmetic changes though. There are some styling updates from the outgoing Countryman, most notably a larger grille. The new Countryman is longer by 200mm and wider by 30mm. The headlights have become LED powered and the visual aggression goes up a notch in general. It looks more imposing and purposeful now, and yet the Countryman fails to cut the prettiest silhouette. The redesign does however refresh the Mini’s styling, with the new car appearing less bug-eyed than its predecessor. The change suits the JCW Inspired Countryman in particular, its more aggressive look fitting well with its performance orientated character. The three letters pay tribute to the late great John Cooper, the Formula One and rally car designer and builder.

Although Mini calls the Countryman a natural athlete, at just under 1600 kilos, it is the heaviest and most expensive Mini you can buy. With 189bhp and 280Nm on tap from its two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, it ain’t the most powerful too.