Mini Countryman facelift revealed ... and SA engine range trimmed

Mini has revealed its facelifted Countryman, with the British firm’s local arm confirming the engine range will comprise two petrol variants at launch in the final quarter of 2020.

Yes, that suggests the diesel-powered derivative – which had offered 110 kW and 330 N.m from its 2,0-litre four-pot – has been given the axe in South Africa.

The local range will thus comprise the Cooper Countryman (generating an unchanged 100 kW from its 1,5-litre turbo-triple) and the Cooper S Countryman (like the pre-facelift version, churning out 141 kW courtesy of its turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder heart). The JCW-badged, all-paw model will likely be revealed in the coming months.

So, what has changed with Mini’s largest model? Well, styling changes up front include a redesigned grille along with rejigged LED headlamps and foglamps, while round back you’ll find LED taillamps in the Union Jack design and a tweaked bumper. The BMW-backed brand has also rolled out a range of new alloy wheel designs (measuring up to 19 inches in diameter), along with fresh exterior colour combinations and a new Piano Black Exterior styling package.

Inside, the firm has added a new digital display with a five-inch colour screen as standard, while the redesigned central instrument panel is now offered in gloss black as an option. A leather-wrapped sports steering wheel is standard across the range, while Mini has also added new leather trim options and a height-adjustable front passenger seat.

The automaker says the Countryman’s range of audio and navigation systems has been “restructured”. The standard Connected Media and optional Connected Navigation Plus each feature an 8,8-inch touchscreen, while the layout of the circular control unit has been updated. Touch-sensitive “bookmark buttons” have also been added.

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