Most liked posts in thread: Countryman pics

When is it supposed to be ready for sale? I thought I read 2010 somewhere.

 

Nice, maybe there's hope yet of owning another MINI when our 4Runner packs it in

 

Supposed to be available in europe towards the end of this year, early 2011 for us.

 

They look much better in person too. I disliked them until I went up to check out the beachcomber at the autoshow. They don't look as sharp in the flesh

 

Thanks! Yeah that's where I was confused...European release. I can wait, don't have the $$ anyways, lol. :devil:

 

Finally, a MINI that can hold 5 people...or at least 2 adults and three kids. However, I haven't seen any pics of what the three passenger bench back seat looks like. Anyone have any pics? Can't seem to find any:frown2:

Depending on what that bench seat looks like, this may be the next family cruiser.

 

Are they offering a 3 person bench option? Any pics I've seen don't have any rear bench and actually have 2 full seats in the rear.

 

I think it would be foolish not to offer 5 passenger seating in this, the quad-captain chairs and console are cool but 4 passenger seating puts them out of a huge portion of the market.

 

Yah, but MINI has been removing themselves from that market the whole time.

I could be wrong, but I haven't heard any mention of a 5 seat option and if these pictures are the real deal, it would require a good bit of re-engineering to fit 3 back there. Look at the center console thing. It would have to all be re-designed/removed

 

Indeed. It may not fit 5 adults, but I imagine having full seats means that it fits 4 adults more comfortably than many similar small SUV competition.

 

It was my understanding it's the same as the Clubman. The fifth seat is a European option, not a US option.

 

I read an article earlier this month that there is an optional bench seat. I haven't seen any pics of the bench seat as of yet. The rear bucket seats look cool and I do not understand what they do with the beam that runs between the seats when you add the bench seat.

I've got three little ones (7, 5 & 3) and they always want to go in the MINI but there is always one left out.

 

The rail is a "feature" that runs from front to back (well back seats I think). It passes power and audio for compatible devices to the audio system, as well as being a mounting point for different accessories..and mood lighting that's controlled by the driver.

I would think a center bench would just snap in place on the rail bridging the two seats though admittedly you'd have to be pretty skinny.

 

The fifth seat option in the Clubman isn't very practical though it's supposed to be for 2 adults and a child....from Motoringfile.

 

MotoringFile | MINI Cooper news, reviews and opinion.

I found the answer to the bench seat question...but it's probably the answer most don't want to hear...or read for that matter.