Mini Countryman JCW 测试：热门且大型
The Mini Countryman became bigger than ever and became a family crossover SUV with technology and looks that made it stand out from the crowd. It is also available in a traditional sport version that does not require a plug and offers great performance. But it also has the previous generation's excellent JCW Countryman to beat. He did it;
The Mini Countryman is called "Mini Countryman" because, although its name refers to the countryside (the Mini also alludes to the countryside for its raised model), it actually translates to "fellow countrymen". Of course, this also applies, as it shares the same DNA as the small, iconic Cooper. Introduced in 2010, the Countryman was the fourth model in the range, with a length of more than 4 meters, being the first four-wheel drive model and later the first plug-in hybrid. All this is strengthened in the third generation, which has grown enough to move up a category and, in fact, as happened with the "small" Mini, which is following the same path, given the good progress of its electrification. More like BMW than ever before, as it shares a base with the new X1 and is built in Germany for the first time, the new Countryman comes with a pure electric version as well as a traditional cooling version, bringing its own digital revolution with a unique style and character. The top-tier and "hottest" versions of John Cooper's work take all of the above to superlatives.
From the outside, the Mini, which introduces the new era of the LinkedIn brand, maintains almost the same design style, and no one will confuse it with anything else on the road, but it has many new elements that make it more modern. Starting with the silhouette, the biggest change is clearly visible, and that is the size. It's 13cm larger (4.45m more) and longer than the Qashqai, reaching the upcoming 3008 and touching the closely related X1.
It is long and looks bigger than it actually is, thanks to the large area of glazing, in particular the third long window, with a fender on either side of the C-pillar, decorated according to the version and the equipment package. JCW is a redesigned flag sign, and it appears in a lot of places. The handlebars are recessed, and the optional 20-inch rim is impressive, while the "easy" rim is 19-inch and black. Even more impressive, however, are the red calipers that protrude from the inside, with the corresponding large perforated disc included in the XL gear package.
As Mini calls it, the "pureblood" JCW is expected to be more bloated than other engine models and equipment lines, with red detailing, gloss black fenders, and an asymmetrical quad-rear "boom" that stands out with a model reminiscent of the BMW Chris Bangle era models.
Up front, the mini "robot" is a bit like we're here, and it does, as you can change the design of the front and rear LED lights. We choose the "Classic" option, with a ring on the front and a Union Jack on the back, as shown in the image. Also, as if personalization wasn't enough, it also "winks" at you when you unlock Countryman. As far as personalization options go, while now simplified, they're still many. The two-tone on the roof and mirrors, as well as the favorite stripes and flares on the hood, will bring it to your own standards.
In the previous Mini, everyone was speechless about the interior, because the exterior was too familiar. The first one changed in this generation. Come on, the second one has changed too. Only minimalist terms can describe it, not to mention the influence of art and fashion design. Like the fashion house's elaborate clothing, the dashboard and doors are now covered in recycled polyester, with a color effect that fades from the front to the rear of the cabin. In JCW, you can't select effects or colors. Black and red are unified with the delicate grid on the doors, giving a speedy line on the dashboard. The seats here are barrel-shaped, covered with a combination of synthetic leather and fabric, with a special pattern of the same color.
The essence is the same and the interior design is unique, and the Mini has chosen to bring it closer to its roots. A clear reference to Sir Alec Isigoni's original Mini, all that remains is a circular gauge in the centre of the dashboard, below which is a crossbar with a main switch. Even the start/stop at the location where the key was inserted 66 years ago is not a button, but a switch that you turn.
The Mini's signature round screen has grown to 24 centimeters in diameter and is OLED, just like the panels of modern TVs. The colors are incredible, with a resolution of up to 4K. Since there aren't many physical buttons, it can also act as a control panel. The software system is based on the Android car system, just like the latest BMW models. But the user interface of the Mini is much more complex than the latter, and even if you have a PhD in computer science, it will take you a lot of time to figure out how to operate it using shortcuts.
However, it is divided into three sections, the upper part shows all the necessary information about the car's movement and engine, the middle part shows the content of the application in the form of widgets, and the lower bar is used to select menus, air conditioning and multimedia. The air conditioner has its own sidebar that regulates the temperature with relative ease, but for the flow and all the other options you have to go to its menu. There are tactile shortcut buttons at the bottom of the screen that can easily guide you to the corresponding menus, and some physical buttons on the steering wheel can also do the same. There's also a physical rotary switch for audio as well as a switch for selecting gears and drivers.
Somewhere here, the new digital assistant listening to "Hey Mini" is also "stuck", but it's called Spike. This digitized "minimal" dog executes commands and interacts with you in English, and it sounds like it will be able to accompany you later in the software.
The system also has endless options and graphics. The Mini refer to them as Experience Modes, and they replace the traditional driving program while changing the graphical environment of the entire system, in addition to the engine settings and driving feel. One of them allows you to place any background you want from a mini app on your smartphone. The other transforms it into an "old" Mini. It can be said that go-kart is a sport, and when you activate it, you will hear a "whoop" sound, first look for whether it is Super Mario in the back seat. Each "experiential program" offers a different experience with its own soundtrack. Does it all make sense? It may be at first, but to be honest, after a while, it is likely that only three out of eight will be used.
In addition, we can only say that when it comes to choosing several profiles, it will definitely need to be upgraded to be faster, at the moment it goes through a "mess" until all the settings are loaded, while the basic user profile does not, and everything can be done from the first "launcher". In addition to this, there is a selfie camera, a Harman Kardon sound system with beautiful sound and bass, and special mood lighting with a projector.
To the expected question of whether it is as good as the previous generation, we would answer "yes", but the way and texture of the cabin as a whole is different. We live in an era of sustainability, and we have to adapt.
Everything fits well
The first Mini was small and could accommodate four people. The first "modern" mini cars were small at that time, and there was no room for anyone in the back (well, they could accommodate children). Countryman (along with Clubman) has changed that, and the latest one takes it a step further. The space is so large that it can comfortably accommodate a family of five, as well as a family of four with small children and two "bulky" child seats. The rear seats can slide 13 cm to increase luggage space or leave extra air for tall adults. In addition, the rear seats can be reclined in six ways, with a maximum recline angle of up to 12°. There's also plenty of air in the front space for large and small items, even the basket on the centre console. We are left with a question mark as to why the center console does not open on its own. As for the trunk space, depending on the position of the rear seats, there is a space of 500 liters or 450 liters, with very small thresholds and a fully usable shape, divided according to a 40:20:40 layout, which can accommodate 1,460 liters when folded together.
Two-liter, turbocharged and four-wheel drive......
In the case of "juice", this is exactly the turbocharged 2,000 cc gasoline engine. The JCW version is available with it. What else do we need to say? The truth is that this is necessary because we have a lot to say at a time when all cars are on the "hybrid" road of only a few cubic meters and three cylinders. For some, this two-liter engine would be a "step backwards", as even the popular Countryman SE has mild hybrid assist in the same two-liter engine codenamed B48.
So everything is traditional, we have 5,750 horsepower at 6,500 to 300 rpm. 400 Nm of torque from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. Those numbers may not sound much better than the previous Countryman JCW, but the engine has been revamped not just for emissions, but with improvements to the pistons, connecting rods, and air intakes for durability, reliability, and performance. On the surface, however, things are different, as it loses 6 hp and 50 Nm of torque, the latter of which has peaked and is getting higher.
On the road, however, there's no substantial difference, and there's plenty of power throughout the turn, and it doesn't feel like it's lacking power in heights or cutters. 0-100 is 5.4 inches and the final speed limit is 250 km/h!
It is worth mentioning here that the gearbox is one of the highlights that make up this upgrade. Aisin's previous automatic transmission could not match the engine, and there was noticeable lag and jitter when going uphill. The new 7-speed dual-clutch is lightning fast, it listens to every command from the throttle or paddles, and it has a true manual mode where the rev counter "can't find the wall" if you don't shift gears.
If needed due to loss of traction, power is transmitted to all four wheels via an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch and up to 50% to the rear wheels.
Countryman JCW will showcase its talent through the go-kart program. It has additional settings for engine performance, steering feel, and DSC, such as the "Individual" setting. There is also a separate sound activation setting. Exhaust pipes that don't come from the exhaust pipes, even though the quad exhaust pipes give the impression that they will make their surroundings stand up on cold starts. Sorry, purists, but there is no simple or polite way to say that the OPF may even need to "rip off" the mid-sump the day after it goes on the market, because a mini high-performance car can't sound like a multi-purpose mixer and doesn't make noise. On the contrary, the "fake" sound heard from the speakers is perfectly done and convincing, very reminiscent of the sound of the real model it replaces. The hiccups at the time of the outbreak are also real, but the hiccups heard when deflating at the intermediate rpm may be "too much".
The new Mini Countryman is based on the same platform (UKL2) as the new X1 and X2, which is also a testament to its larger footprint. With a wider, wider wheelbase and a 22cm longer wheelbase, the Mini manages to retain two things: the directness of the front end and the feeling of nailing it to the road.
This version is 15 mm. lower, and with more reinforcement and tighter suspension and motor mounts. It also has FSD shock absorbers that soften or harden depending on the frequency of vibration, making it more comfortable or leaning less. The truth is that under pressure, he leans a lot, but does not feel like he is losing confidence or being affected. The grip limit is still very high, especially when the P-Zero 245/40 tires are warmed up.
However, if you're overdriving or your tires aren't warming up, the increase in size and mass in front can lead to understeer, and mechanical lock-up differentials won't help. Maybe that's why you never seem to be able to get rid of them completely, even if you completely disable the electronic stability in the menu.
The "backward" character of the previous model has been reduced, and only on the open track you can adjust it as you please, or play around with weight transfer and let the tail open its trajectory, even the front-wheel drive version of the new Countryman is easier to do. Of course, that's why four-wheel drive is as it should be, and as soon as it realizes the loss of traction, it distributes torque, and the Countryman gets the go-kart feel, and the Mini is very proud of it.
Once you realize that his engagement is different from what it used to be, you begin to appreciate how good its setup is and become enjoyable because of the confidence it provides. The steering is very precise and feels correspondingly from the front. The brakes feature four-piston calipers and 360mm ventilated discs. They're fantastic, don't get tired easily, and have a great pedal feel. The throttle also contributes to its immediacy, a sound that is heard with every tap in the Sport Plus.
We wanted to ride a little lower, but the body was well supported. It is unbeatable compared to the previous one, and it has to do with the comfort it offers in every way. The suspension has nothing to do with it, it runs better, the ride quality and tire noise is reduced. It doesn't crash easily and it's comfortable to get around. As a JCW, it's definitely not an off-road version of the Countryman, not that it doesn't take a dirt road to the hut or easy access to hidden beaches, with a focus on rims and low-profile tires.
A "mini" conclusion
The new Countryman JCW, like the others, is a natural evolution of the style of the unique model. It is unlike any other product and innovates in its own way. It's not as sporty as it used to be, but it's a full-fledged model and has more quality than ever in its driving behavior. Oh, and you can hear the exhaust sound......