MINI India has commenced pre-bookings for the Countryman C, a new petrol-powered SUV that will be assembled locally. The move signals the brand’s intent to broaden the appeal of the latest-generation Countryman by introducing a more accessible variant positioned below its higher-performance offerings. The Countryman C will be produced at BMW Group’s Chennai facility, marking a return to local assembly for the model line.
Earlier iterations of the Countryman were also assembled in India, with production beginning in 2013 for the first generation and continuing with the second generation from 2018. In contrast, the fully electric Countryman and the performance-focused Mini Countryman JCW All4 will continue to be imported as completely built units. With local assembly helping reduce costs, the Countryman C is expected to be priced lower than the JCW All4 variant, which is currently positioned at the top of the range.
Industry estimates suggest a price in the region of Rs. 55 lakhs (ex-showroom), although official figures are yet to be announced. This pricing would place the SUV in close competition with models like the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3. Compared to the previous-generation petrol Countryman, which was last sold at around Rs. 48 lakhs, the expected increase can be attributed to factors such as inflation, currency fluctuations and added equipment.
The Countryman C is based on BMW’s UKL2 platform, which also underpins the X1 sold in India. As a result, it could share the X1’s 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Alternatively, MINI may opt to offer a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, similar to what has been seen in other Countryman variants globally. While official specifications are yet to be confirmed, the introduction of a locally assembled version is expected to make the Countryman range more competitive in the Indian market, particularly in the premium compact SUV segment.