All about MINI Cooper

So in the picture of the interior of the 2013 MINI Countryman you can see a 2 spoke steering wheel like the R50 and R53 had standard up to a certain model year (not sure which year). I do know that when I was ordering my 2004 R53 I had the option of a 3 spoke steering wheel (which I bought). To be honest I’m not the biggest fan of the 2 spoke steering wheel. But you decide. Will this be an option or will it come standard in the US is the question.

Below is the US press release. The previous post I did was of the global press release.

Motor On!

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – November 1, 2012. In the two years since its launch onto the world’s car markets, the MINI Countryman has developed into a driving force behind the continuing growth of the brand. The transference of hallmark MINI qualities and values into a new vehicle segment has won over new target groups worldwide to the brand’s unmistakable style. Autumn 2012 will see the British carmaker’s first model to offer all-wheel drive benefiting from an extensive round of modifications which will further enhance the allure of its boundless driving fun. Detailed refinements to the car’s design and the selection of materials available for the interior shine the spotlight even more brightly on a premium character none of the MINI Countryman’s rivals can match. The spacious five-door’s optimized ease of use underlines its very modern appreciation of practicality.

The modifications designed for the MINI Countryman will be rolled out across all model variants from November 2012. Open one of the front doors and the newly designed rings encircling the Center Speedo and four air vents immediately stand out. They will now be presented across the board in the color shade Carbon Black and also have an inner ring in high-gloss black or – as part of the Chrome Line Interior option – in chrome. Both in standard trim and with options specified, the fresh appeal of the colors and materials adds further luster to the high-quality character of the MINI Countryman interior.

Newly designed door inserts also help to enhance the car’s premium ambience, comfort and practicality. Remodeled door armrests provide even more comfortable support for the arms, and the controls for the electric windows are now also positioned in the door trim. A full control panel is integrated into the door armrest on the driver’s side. The switches clustered here include the controls for all the windows, the deactivation facility for the rear window controls and adjustment for the exterior mirrors. Moving the window controls away from the centre console also optimizes access to the larger storage compartment below it. From autumn 2012 the MINI Countryman will come as standard with a three-seat rear bench, while a pair of individual seats will be available as a no-cost alternative.

As well as changes to the range of interior colors, interior trim elements and Color Lines, the selection of exterior paint finishes will also be given a refresh in autumn 2012. New additions include the suitably expressive color shades Brilliant Copper metallic and Blazing Red metallic. Plus, a restructuring of the equipment packages on offer to customers will make it even easier to customize the MINI Countryman to reflect their tastes.

Customers in the U.S. can choose from three engine variants for the MINI Countryman. The standard 1.6 liter, four cylinder MINI Cooper engine (121 hp) is the standard powertrain, while the turbocharged Cooper S engine is an option delivering 181 hp. There is also the ultra-sporty MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, powered by a turbocharged 208 hp engine. The ALL4 all-wheel-drive system fitted as standard on this top-class performance variant is also available as an option for the MINI Cooper S Countryman. All models can be ordered with a six-speed automatic gearbox as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual. The impressive efficiency of the engines and gearboxes along with extensive MINIMALISM technology ensure all the MINI Countryman variants achieve an exemplary balance between driving fun and fuel economy.