Mini India has opened pre-bookings for its Countryman C petrol SUV from today. This comes about two weeks after we reported that the brand will begin local assembly of a lower-spec, two-wheel-drive petrol variant of the third-generation Countryman at BMW’s Chennai plant.
- Mini Countryman C used same FWD platform as the BMW X1
- To rivals Mercedes GLA, Audi Q3
- 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine-7DCT powertrain combination is likely
- Countryman Electric and JCW All4 petrol to continue as CBU models
In contrast, the Countryman Electric and the performance-focused JCW All4 petrol version continue to be brought in as full CBU imports. It’s also worth noting that earlier generations of the Countryman were assembled locally, with the first starting in 2013 and the second in 2018.
Mini Countryman C price estimate
Due to relatively lower positioning in the lineup and local assembly, the Countryman C’s pricing should be much lower than the JCW All4, which costs Rs 64.9 lakh, ex-showroom. In fact, the CKD (completely knocked-down) version is expected to sit closer to the Rs 51 lakh-BMW X1, and it could potentially be priced at around Rs 55 lakh. If that holds, it would make the Countryman more accessible by about Rs 10 lakh.
For reference, the previous-gen Countryman petrol cost about Rs 48 lakh when it was last on sale in 2024. But with inflation, a weaker rupee against pound since then and upgradation expenses, a higher price this time looks likely. In addition to the X1, the upcoming Mini SUV will be up against the Mercedes GLA (Rs 52 lakh) and the Audi Q3 (Rs 43.67-53 lakh).
Mini Countryman C exterior and interior features
Being a Countryman, the upcoming variant carries over the familiar rounded design with smooth body lines. It gets matte champagne-coloured trim around the grille, on the C-pillar and on the front, side and rear skid plates; even the Mini logos and Countryman badge are finished in the same shade. Interestingly, the alloy wheel design of the India-spec Countryman C is the same as the 19-inch wheels seen on the Countryman Electric, again with the champagne finish. At the rear, it gets matrix LED tail-lamps with a customisable light show when locking or unlocking.
Like the Countryman Electric and the Cooper S, the Countryman C is expected to get a minimalist cabin. Circular design elements and a dual-tone theme are also expected, along with a circular OLED touchscreen, expected to be around 9.4 inches, steering-mounted controls, a head-up display, a Harman Kardon sound system, a 360-degree camera and multiple airbags. It remains to be seen which of these will come as standard and which will be part of Mini’s customisation list.
Mini Countryman C Colours
Mini Countryman C powertrain expectations
The Countryman is based on the same front-wheel-drive platform (codename: UKL2) as the BMW X1, which is also assembled in India. Mini India’s website confirms a turbo-petrol engine and a 7-speed automatic gearbox, which suggests the Countryman C may use the X1’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. In the BMW SUV, for reference, this engine makes 136hp and 230Nm.
