One thing that everyone seemed to take notice about the all-new MINI Cooper was its increased size. Sure if you were around the reboot from the early 2000s it was apparent. But you never could appreciate the actual size increase, until someone lined up the rebooted original to the all-new version.
It looked like the all-new car had put on a "freshman 15."
Given that size increase, it seems like it only makes sense that the next-generation Countryman — seen in spy images for the first time — will benefit from a growth spurt. Although scale is a tough thing to tell, if you click "Read Article" below and leaf through the Autocar images, you'll note that the Countryman undergoing developmental testing is parked next to a BMW X3. It looks like the MINI's hood is taller than the X3's.
As of now, information remains thin but stay tuned as we'll be sure to bring you the latest/greatest when we read it. Seeing what MINI did to the Cooper, I'd expect a more BMW-i-fied MINI Countryman coming our way.
**To see the FULL collection of spy images, click "Read Article" below!
...Now the first test mules for the next-generation model have been spotted testing ahead of a planned debut in late 2016 - possibly in time for the LA motor show in that year.
Most obvious about this test mule is its increased size compared to the current car, especially around the bonnet, with the effect magnified by larger alloy wheels. That's likely down to Mini's need to distance the Countryman visually between the rest of its updated range - but it should mean the new car will stretch well beyond the 4097mm length of today's car...
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