2017 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman Revealed
This new JCW version of the Countryman comes to no surprise. The little SUV has been completely redesigned for the 2017 model year and benefits from a new platform that’s shared with the MINI Clubman as well as the BMW X1. It will make its world debut at the Shanghai Motor Show in April.
The 2017 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is the brand’s choice for families in a hurry, being their biggest model and boasting their most powerful engine. Under the hood lurks a turbocharged, 2.0-litre four cylinder that develops 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It can be connected to either a six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic. MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drivetrain is standard.
The JCW also gets a sport seats, a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and a Brembo brake system, while aerodynamic add-ons help further cool down the mechanical components. According to the English brand, the 2017 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman can blast from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, or almost a second faster than the Cooper S Countryman with its 189-hp engine. Top speed is rated at 234 km/h.
Like the regular Countryman, the JCW is bigger both on the outside and on the inside than the outgoing generation. The vehicle is 170 millimetres longer, 30 mm wider and rides on a wheelbase stretched by 75 mm. All that translates into more room for five passengers and a cargo area volume of 450 to 1390 litres.
The 2017 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman should hit Canadian dealerships right in time for summer at a price starting around $40,000.
UPDATE: After the publication of this article, MINI Canada officially announced the base MSRP for the 2017 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. It will be set at $38,500 before freight and delivery charges, same as the 2016 edition despite a higher level of standard features.