Facelifted MINI Countryman caught on camera ahead of 2020 arrival

Our spy photographers have spotted the facelifted MINI Countryman again – this time in the brand’s range-topping Cooper S trim – undergoing handling assessment at the Nurburgring. 

The revised model looks set to adopt a handful of very minor styling tweaks inside and out and a new range of customisation options, which will bring the crossover in line with the recently refreshed MINI Clubman. It’s expected to go on sale in the UK later this year.

Exterior styling revisions over the outgoing MINI Countryman will include new front and rear bumpers, new alloy wheels, an updated radiator grille, fresh LED headlights and new Union Flag-branded tail lights. Judging by the camouflage on this mule’s nose and rear, the 2020 Countryman will also receive a mildly reprofiled bonnet and boot-lid.

Interior revisions will be equally subdued. Like the revised Clubman, we expect the Countryman will come with a better range of standard equipment, including MINI-branded puddle lighting, a customisable ambient lighting system and a 6.5-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation, while Apple CarPlay and Real Time Traffic Information will be options.

The facelifted Countryman will be offered with four engines from launch. They’ll be revised versions of the current car’s engine range, with buyers being offered a 134bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol, a 189bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, a 148bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and a 220bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder PHEV powertrain.

As with the current Countryman, buyers of conventionally powered models will be able to choose from either front or four-wheel-drive and either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The Countryman PHEV will come as standard with four-wheel-drive, with the rear axle being driven by an electric motor.

Like the rest of MINI’s range, buyers will be offered a range of optional extras including larger alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, a Harmon Kardon stereo system, a head-up display, heated seats and MINI’s Navigation Plus pack which adds a larger 8.8-inch infotainment system, a wireless smartphone charger and enhanced Bluetooth.

What do you make of the facelifted MINI Countryman? Let us know in the comments section below…