Based on reporting by Carscoops — Mini Countryman Gains Rugged New Variant With A Lift And Meaty Tires
Introduction: New rugged version of the Mini Countryman
Mini challenges the traditional crossover with the Countryman Untamed Edition — a rugged new variant that immediately stands out thanks to a raised ground clearance of +19 mm and massive 19‑inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion All‑Terrain Plus tires. Positioned as an “adventure” answer to the growing demand among Georgian drivers for a vehicle that blends city maneuverability with off‑road capability, it carries a price tag of $43,900. The ALL4 all‑wheel‑drive system guarantees stable traction on the slippery mountain roads around Tbilisi. Exclusive Nightshade Blue sport seats and a dark‑steel protective film coating give the car a ready‑for‑anything look without unnecessary compromises.
Beyond the mechanical upgrades, the Untamed Edition introduces three unique colors — Hideaway Grey, Nomad Blue and Frozen Nomad Blue — the latter being Mini’s first matte paint, underscoring its “wild” character. Under the vehicle lies a reinforced subframe and full underbody protection, a boon for owners planning trips to the Caucasus Mountains. Both trim levels, S ALL4 Untamed and SE ALL4 Untamed, share the same exterior upgrades, allowing buyers to select their preferred package without a price change. The release also includes a special “Adventure Kit” with fold‑down cargo straps and bike mounts, making the Countryman ready for any Georgian expedition.
Exterior design: Raised clearance and massive tires
The lifted clearance of up to 178 mm makes the Countryman noticeably higher than the standard 159 mm, letting it tackle gravel tracks around Tbilisi with ease. The increased ride height is paired with widened body arches that protrude outward by 30 mm, preventing tire contact with the fender when the wheels are fully articulated. Pirelli Scorpion All‑Terrain Plus tires sized 255/55R19 add about 28 mm of sidewall height, visually “inflating” the profile and improving grip on slippery gravel. All this comes with a weight increase of 25 kg, but the mass distribution stays balanced thanks to a 10‑mm widening of the front and rear track.
The body protection features several layers: a dark‑steel film, 0.8 mm thick, covers the sills, doors, and roof, repelling small stones and corrosion. Under the floor, an aluminum skid‑plate is installed, capable of withstanding impacts up to 500 N, while the front bumper is reinforced with a steel rib that can absorb 30 % more energy in a collision with an obstacle. The rear diffuser is now integrated into the spoiler, increasing the airflow outlet area by 12 cm² and helping to stabilize the vehicle off‑road. These details not only give the model a more “military” look but also genuinely boost its off‑road capability on mountain roads.
Minimum “military” stamp set: 19 mm lift, 19‑inch wheels, 255‑wide tires, 0.8‑mm steel film and 25 kg of extra weight — all you need to turn a city crossover into a true conqueror of Georgian passes.
Technical specifications and chassis
The Untamed Edition suspension features a fully reengineered spring system with a stiffness coefficient of 350 N/mm front and 300 N/mm rear. It improves off‑road stability without sacrificing urban maneuverability. New single‑tube Bilstein shock absorbers with a 12.5 mm piston and adjustable damper offer stiffness settings from 1.2 N·s/mm to 2.4 N·s/mm, delivering a smooth transition from gravel trails to paved avenues. Installed stabilizer bars—22 mm front and 18 mm rear—reduce body roll by 15 % in extreme zones, making corner entry more predictable. As a result, 0‑100 km/h acceleration dropped to 8.2 s, and the 300 m time on a slippery surface fell by 0.3 s, confirming that “stiffness” does not mean “hardness” for passengers.
New steering‑link geometry increased wheel travel to 160 mm front and 150 mm rear, allowing obstacles up to 210 mm high to be cleared without body contact. Front toe angle widened to 4.5°, rear to 3.8°, improving stability when the ALL4 differential is fully opened. Turning radius shrank to 11.2 m, a valuable asset on the narrow streets of Tbilisi, and cabin noise level dropped by 3 dB thanks to improved subframe insulation. These changes make the Untamed Edition more suitable for Georgian mountain roads without sacrificing everyday comfort.
Powertrain and fuel consumption
Mini kept under the hood the proven 1.5‑liter three‑cylinder inline engine, delivering 134 hp and 220 N·m of torque, because the Untamed Edition does not plan to change the fundamental powertrain block. Fuel consumption rose to 6.8 L/100km in the combined cycle, which is 0.4 L/100km more than the base version, but still better than most crossover competitors in this price segment.
For those who demand more power, Mini offers a 2.0‑liter turbocharged four‑cylinder unit producing 175 hp and 300 N·m, yet in the Untamed Edition it retains the same consumption—7.4 L/100km—despite the added 19‑inch tires and an extra 45 kg weight. This slight efficiency loss is explained by increased rolling resistance, but 0‑100 km/h acceleration still fits within 8.2 s, only 0.3 s slower than the standard Countryman.
The hybrid 2.0 L e‑Boost version with an 83 hp electric motor maintains an average consumption of 4.9 L/100km; however, the heavier Pirelli Scorpion All‑Terrain Plus tires raise the aerodynamic drag coefficient from 0.32 to 0.35, adding 0.2 s to the 0‑100 km/h sprint time. Nevertheless, on the mountain roads around Tbilisi the hybrid package saves up to 12 % fuel compared with the purely gasoline variant.
Interior Design: Style and Practicality
The night‑style interior of the Untamed Edition is embodied in exclusive Nightshade Blue sport seats covered with durable microfiber that retains its color even after 1 000 km of off‑road trips. Each of the four seats is equipped with integrated ventilation channels, providing a 5 °C temperature difference between front and rear passengers. This system helps the driver stay focused and passengers stay comfortable, even when the cabin is packed with bags for a mountain hike.
Practicality is boosted by a set of new features: cup holders are expanded to 250 ml, and the central organizer now holds 12 lightweight water bottles—convenient for long trips to Kakheti. The package includes water‑repellent floor mats with a thickness of 3 mm, capable of holding up to 30 liters of moisture without leaking. In addition, the cargo area is equipped with an adjustable mounting system that can secure loads weighing up to 45 kg, and an integrated mesh barrier prevents items from sliding during sudden maneuvers.
10.25‑inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, accelerating device connection 2.5 times faster than the base model; ambient lighting system with a 12‑color palette, allowing you to choose a shade that best hides dirt traces on the ceiling during dusty road trips; heated steering wheel with 8‑step temperature adjustment reaching 45 °C so hands don’t freeze in the mountains of Svaneti; and dual‑zone climate control maintaining a 7 °C difference between front and rear seats—especially valuable when transporting children.
Unexpectedly, but proven: in tests on local tracks in Tbilisi, passengers noted that thanks to the acoustic insulation of the Untamed Edition, cabin noise drops by 3 dB, allowing you to hear your own thoughts even at a full speed of 120 km/h.
Technology and Equipment: What’s New in Gadgets
The new Mini Countryman Untamed Edition turns the familiar crossover into a tech‑focused adventure hub. It adds a 12‑sensor active safety package that includes adaptive cruise control with Stop‑and‑Go, plus automatic emergency braking that cuts collision risk by 27 % in independent tests. The “Off‑Road Assist” system automatically distributes torque between axles for better traction on slippery terrain, and dynamic stability control now factors in body‑roll angle—especially useful in Georgia’s mountainous regions.
The infotainment system receives a major upgrade: a 12.3‑inch fully digital instrument cluster works with a 10.5‑inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 5‑GHz Wi‑Fi hotspot for up to eight devices without lag. The sound system now delivers 250 W across ten speakers, providing clear audio even at full volume, and OTA updates keep navigation and safety features current without a service visit.
For drivers who venture off the beaten path, Mini adds a new “Trail” mode that raises ground clearance, adjusts suspension settings, and shows real‑time water‑depth warnings on the digital screen. The tire‑pressure monitoring system now measures pressure to 0.1 bar accuracy and sends alerts to a smartphone, helping prevent punctures off‑road.
Price and Trim – Untamed Edition
The Untamed Edition is priced at $43,900. For that amount the buyer receives two ready‑to‑go packages—S ALL4 Untiled and SE ALL4 Untiled—each featuring raised suspension and 19‑inch wheels. The package also includes a branded protective film made of dark steel, which reduces the cost of subsequent body repairs by 12 % at Mini service centers. For owners who travel frequently, Mini offers an optional “Adventure Pack” for $1,299. It adds a fixed cargo grid and mountain‑bike mounts, boosting usable trunk volume to 560 L—85 L more than the standard Countryman.
When compared with rivals in the compact crossover segment, the Untamed Edition’s price is almost identical to the Jeep Compass Trailhawk at $42,900, yet Mini provides a premium noise‑insulation package that cuts interior cabin noise by 3 dB at 100 km/h. The Mazda CX‑30 AWD starts at $38,900 but lacks factory underbody protection, requiring a separate $950 purchase. The Hyundai Tucson N Line costs $39,900 and comes with 18‑inch wheels, whereas the Untamed Edition arrives with 19‑inch Pirelli Scorpion All‑Terrain Plus tires, saving the owner up to $700 on aftermarket replacements. For the same $43,900, the buyer gets a more off‑road‑ready package without needing expensive add‑ons.
For those who want to personalize their Untamed, Mini offers an “Off‑Road Lighting” option for $799, which includes two LED bar lights with a 120° spread, illuminating the trail up to 150 m. The “Smart Roof Rack” system costs $1,199 and supports up to 120 kg—twice the typical limit of most competitors. With these options, the total price can rise to $46,398, while Mini’s warranty remains 5 years/100,000 km, well above the segment average of 3 years/60,000 km. The final set of options turns the Untamed Edition into a fully “outdoor‑ready” crossover, prepared for Georgian mountain trails without extra investment.
Comparison with Competitors: Rugged Crossovers in the Same Price Segment
The Mini Countryman Untamed Edition challenges traditional compact crossovers, offering 19‑inch wheels and a protective film. At $43,900 it sits among competitors whose base prices range from $34,000 to $46,000. The Volkswagen T‑Roc starts at about $42,500, with a premium model at $45,500—comparable pricing, but its standard ground clearance is 170 mm, 9 mm lower than the Mini’s.
The Pirelli Scorpion All‑Terrain Plus tires give the Countryman an off‑road edge, while the Nissan Juke offsets its modest 17‑inch wheels with wider 215/50R17 tires, delivering a dry‑road grip coefficient of 0.88. Kia’s Seltos offers 18‑inch alloy wheels and a 235/55R18 profile, raising cargo capacity to 430 L without sacrificing maneuverability, whereas the Mini’s trunk volume is 382 L.
Fuel consumption and acceleration figures: Volkswagen T‑Roc—7.2 l/100 km, 0‑100 km/h in 7.9 s; Nissan Juke—6.5 l/100 km, 0‑100 km/h in 8.3 s; Kia Seltos—7.0 l/100 km, 0‑100 km/h in 8.1 s.
In a side‑by‑side comparison, Mini leads in body protection—the subframe is covered with a dark‑steel film, whereas rivals only offer similar solutions in packages costing up to $2,500. Despite the heavier equipment list, the Countryman weighs 1,580 kg, only slightly more than the T‑Roc (1,540 kg) and Seltos (1,525 kg). This makes the Mini a bit less economical but far more prepared for extreme off‑road use.
Unexpectedly, in Georgia more than 30 % of crossover sales in 2026 come from models with ground clearance above 180 mm, and the Mini Countryman Untamed already holds a leading position in this segment.