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Michael Wong Cambridge PR Group 617-500-2302 |
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Crossover Debuts at the Top of Its Segment in 2011 APEAL Study
Online PR News – 08-August-2011 –HARTFORD, Conn. – Some might say that its unique size and shape put it in a segment of its own, but the MINI Cooper Countryman has quickly made it to the top of the Compact Crossover/SUV category in J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. Introduced for the 2011 model year at MINI dealerships, the MINI Countryman has attracted consumers with its mix of utility, sports car agility and MINI looks.
The J.D. Power and Associates APEAL Study surveyed new car owners of 2011 models who had been driving their vehicle for 90 days. The survey covered more than 90 vehicle attributes in a multitude of categories, including fuel economy, audio/entertainment/navigation, interior, seats, engine, HVAC, storage, visibility, exterior and driving experience. High marks earned the MINI Countryman first place in its segment, as it handily beat out the Volkswagen Tiguan and Hyundai Tucson.
“Combining all the fun of a MINI with the utility of a small crossover was a stroke of genius,” said Tim Parker, general manager of New Country MINI, a Hartford, Connecticut MINI dealer. “On the outside, the Countryman is all MINI, but inside there is room for four adults and enough cargo space to comfortably fit anything from groceries to golf clubs.”
Named after the Austin MINI Countryman that was produced from 1961 to 1969, the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman makes the most of its modest size thanks to the innovative thinking that has become the hallmark of the MINI brand. Inside, there is not only more room for passengers when compared with other MINIs, but the Countryman’s four bucket seats can all slide forward and backward as well as recline, allowing this space to be contoured to the shapes, sizes and moods of all passengers.
With 41.3 cubic feet of cargo space once its rear seats are folded, the Countryman can offer a flat cargo area accessible through a rear liftgate for easy loading and unloading of anything from bags of mulch to skis or snowboards. Of course, since it’s a MINI, there are a bevy of options to customize the Cooper Countryman, ranging from Union Jack flag roof decals and leather interiors to communications and navigation units.
The sporty feel of the Countryman comes from the engines it shares with other MINIs, including its standard 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower. The Cooper S Countryman adds a turbocharger and direct-injection to the equation for a more hot-blooded 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are available with either a six-speed manual transmission, a rarity in the category, or a six-speed automatic. The Cooper S Countryman is also available with ALL4 all-wheel drive that makes it a solid choice for discerning drivers to get around on Connecticut’s wintery roads.
“The Countryman is a MINI that fits all lifestyles,” Parker added. “It’s just as fun as the two-door MINIs but is big enough for a family of four to get to vacations anywhere in the country during every season thanks to its all-wheel-drive system.”
About New Country MINI:
Connecticut MINI drivers flock to New Country MINI, a premier Connecticut MINI dealer, for one reason: They work to make sure their customers are happy even after the sale. New Country MINI sells used and new MINIs like the 2011 MINI Countryman and MINI Cooper, and they keep them running like new at their Hartford MINI service center. Part of the New Country Motor Car Group family of dealerships, New Country MINI is located at 1 Weston Park Rd in Hartford, Connecticut. Find them online at www.newcountrymini.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewCountryMINI, or call them at 877-383-5983.
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