When it comes to small, fuel-efficient crossovers the 2013 MINI Countryman would be on our list for sure. A John Cooper Works version? Even better. What’s not to like? While the Countryman has irritated purists as a heavier, larger and taller vehicle than usual for the brand, it is still the “mini” option in its segment.
Something that has never been mini about MINI vehicles is their price tag though. If you want coolness, you’ll have to pay for it – it is BMW-developed after all. Keeping with tradition, the company has announced pricing for the recently-introduced 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. It will ding the register at a hefty $35,550, a first for a MINI standard production line. What you do get though is a sprightly crossover with a whole lot of style, kit and good dynamics.
The Countryman JCW is the first John Cooper Works model to have an all-wheel drive system as standard. Dubbed ALL4, it has an electromagnetic differential that can send power to either the front or rear wheels. Under the hood it is mated to the same 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as the rest of the JCW lineup. The Countryman has the most powerful iteration though, packing 218 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, with an overboost function that bumps that up to 221 lb-ft of torque. The result is a 0-62 mph of seven seconds. Standard is a six-speed manual, with an optional automatic tranny.
The car is loaded to the hilt with MINI Center Rail, xenon Adaptive Headlights, Comfort Access, automatically dimming rear-view mirror and exterior mirrors, an electrically operated tilting/sliding glass sunroof, Park Distance Control, harman/kardon hi-fi loudspeaker system and MINI navigation/infotainment system. As we said earlier, the JCW Countryman has style in spades. There are seven available colors, including the JCW classic black exterior body color/red roof combination. Even at $35,550 we think the Countryman JCW will find a buyer base. It offers the unique MINI JCW package with all-wheel drive, four or five seats and increased cargo space. That’s the advantage of having a unique product like MINI; you can’t find that package anywhere else.
