Not every MINI is built to chase apexes anymore. The iconic British brand says it’s recognised that many of its customers – as many as half – are now more interested in chasing weekends away, and preferably somewhere without mobile reception.
That’s the thinking, at least, behind the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition, which takes the marque’s biggest and most practical model and gives it an adventure-ready makeover. In some countries, the Untamed will be available with a jacked-up suspension and all-terrain tyres from the factory.
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MINI loves a limited-run special, but the Untamed is something different: this might be badged as an ‘Edition’, but the rugged package will become a permanent fixture in the range alongside the likes of the John Cooper Works grades.
And MINI is only going to build on this product line: while racetrack-focussed MINI models aren’t going away, rugged-spec MINIs are the next big frontier.
Earlier this month, we had a drive of the Countryman Untamed around Lake Tahoe, California. MINI pointed us at a surprisingly gnarly mountain track and said: “See you at the top.” The fact our lead vehicle was a heavily modified Wrangler revealed this wasn’t soft-roading.
Quite shockingly, raised versions of the Countryman Untamed have some genuine off-road talent. And while – sadly – the version coming to Australia doesn’t max out the suspension quite like our American and European cousins, the Untamed still gives the clearest indication yet of where MINI is heading next.
So, this is a MINI in hiking boots…?
Essentially. MINI has recognised that wellness and generally touching grass have become a status symbol.
MINI unashamedly says the Untamed slots onto the same continuum as The North Face parkas, Arc’teryx backpacks, and concrete cowboy R.M.Williams boots: ostensibly rugged fashion that can technically rough it, even if they don’t leave the city…
Speaking with Boss Hunting, MINI head of design Holger Hampf said that “adventure” will become a third pillar for the marque, alongside JCW performance models and its more fashion-conscious urban offerings like its Paul Smith Editions.
For the Countryman, by far the largest MINI, occasionally labelled a “Maxi,” the Untamed program makes sense. This model represents one-third of the brand’s global sales, and MINI thinks those customers are ready for a more outdoorsy interpretation.
Has MINI gone full Bear Grylls?
Not quite, though overseas-market versions of the Untamed have more substance than you might expect.
In North America (and in some European countries), Untamed buyers bag a 15mm suspension lift, with off-road dampers and chunky Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres on unique alloys, delivering an overall 19mm lift in ground clearance.
There are revised suspension settings, recalibrated electronics, protective underbody elements, and an Untamed-specific ten-slat grille. MINI has developed textured protective graphics to shield vulnerable bodywork, including the fenders, from being scratched by branches and shrubs, while graphite-like Dark Steel detailing replaces shiny trim around the exterior.
Opting for Frozen Nomad Blue sets it all off best, and the colour represents the first time matt paint has been used on a series-production MINI.
And then come accessories: an Italian-made AUTOHOME rooftop tent opens in seconds using gas struts, while a collaboration with HELINOX brings matching camp furniture stowable in the boot.
Essentially, the Untamed is pre-prepared for glamping.
What are the brag-worthy numbers?
The Countryman was already reasonably effective in all-wheel drive form, and Australians will be offered the Untamed with a choice of turbo 2.0-litre petrol S ALL4 or dual-motor electric SE ALL4 guises.
The latter is the headline act, pumping out a stout 230kW of power and 494Nm of torque and delivering a sub-six-second 0-100km/h sprint. Going electric means working with a 64kWh (usable) battery providing up to 467km of range if the existing Countryman SE Favoured numbers carry across.
Meanwhile, the petrol sounds good with a subtle exhaust crackle. It’s paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and produces 160kW/360Nm. Both are five-seaters with 450-460L of boot space and a convenient 4.45-metre length that means people and stuff tend to fit into the Countryman, while the Countryman fits into inner-city parking spaces pretty easily.
It’s more Soho House than campsite inside
The luxuries haven’t been stripped back in the cabin. The Untamed has handsome Nightshade Blue synthetic leather sports seats up front – with heating and massage – while picking up knitted shoulder sections inspired by rock formations.
Cornflower Blue fabric accents and Dark Steel hardware join a whimsical steering wheel strap to finish the transformation from the Favoured spec the Untamed is based on.
MINI has even redesigned the centre console storage unit with elastic straps inspired by ‘premium’ hiking gear, while rubber floor and boot mats are ready to receive all your sports equipment…or your kids’ shoes.
A very-MINI circular touchscreen remains the centrepiece with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. While Australian spec is yet to be finalised, expect Harman-Kardon audio and an optional panoramic sunroof.
Does this drive like a MINI, or a miniature Defender?
It’s closer to the former. On tarmac, the Countryman remains a polished and enjoyable small SUV to drive, with quick and direct steering, firm and controlled suspension, and a much stronger sense of connection to the road than most sensory-deprivation-tank SUVs.
Where the Untamed breaks away from the Countryman Favoured is in the way the raised suspension and knobbly tyres earn their keep on surprisingly demanding rocky trails.
Only the petrol-engined S was available at the North American debut. We enjoyed the rorty soundtrack, but we suspect the electric SE would be the sweeter choice on- and off-road as it has far more torque and no transmission to worry about.
MINI deserves credit for conducting the launch on a properly challenging course. While the Untamed occasionally struggled with the hardest obstacles – and naturally you do need to be mindful of the clearance – we were impressed with how far it could go with patience and a smart line. It’s capable!
But there’s a catch…
Hang on, does Australia get the cool hardware?
Not at this point. The Australian Untamed retains the distinctive exterior styling, interior treatment and AWD powertrains, but we miss out on the raised suspension, factory all-terrain tyres, rooftop tent and extra towing provisions…at least for now.
That’s a shame. The taller stance and chunky rubber make a noticeable difference to the Countryman’s appearance, and we would have liked Australians to at least be given the optional choice of these extras.
MINI hasn’t provided a definitive explanation, but Hampf acknowledged the considerable expense of homologating substantially revised vehicles mid-life, in certain markets. The consolation is that Australia’s version of the Untamed will be a better road car than overseas versions, as the off-road damper does make it especially stiff on tarmac. Plus, we still gain the Untamed’s handsome Dark Steel treatments.
Is now the time to buy a MINI Untamed?
There is plenty to like here. The Countryman was already one of the better small premium SUVs out there, combining a good amount of space, compact-ish footprint, enjoyable handling, and more personality than an Audi or Mercedes-Benz.
The Untamed package gives it another layer of character, and you may well prefer the appearance of this model compared to the blacked-out JCW or gold-adorned Favoured. But we think the bigger story is what happens in a few years’ time.
Design boss Hampf says adventure is going to become a lasting part of MINI’s identity, and not just a limited-time cosmetic special edition play.
Our expectation is that MINI will build on this line in future, and that Australia has a good chance of receiving a complete Untamed package in future. Engineering the raised suspension, tyres and associated approvals into a future model from the outset is more cost-effective in tough markets like ours.
Expect to see a full-fat Untamed baked into a next-gen Countryman…and we wouldn’t be surprised to see an Aceman Untamed in future, too.
For now, the Countryman Untamed is an appealing crossover with an outdoorsy streak. If that’s your thing, we’d lean towards the electric SE, as it’s ultimately the sweeter and more refined car.