MINI unveiled its new Countryman Untamed Edition on the shores of Lake Tahoe this last week. It’s an attempt to turn the familiar suburban crossover into a serious trail plugger – and comes ahead of MINI’s entry in the grueling women-only Rebelle Rally.
The 1,500-mile race spans eight days of dirt roads, rough tracks and dunes across Nevada, California and Utah. Mobile phones, GPS and sat-navs, internet gadgets and support crews are banned. Competitors use street-legal manufacturer vehicles – hence MINI’s launch of a new rally-ready version.
The 'Untamed' moniker is, of course, encrusted with brazen marketing jargon, so we set out to discover: is this a truly capable overland machine or another exercise in lifestyle branding?
Historically, MINI has never been a stranger to dirt. The original 1960s cars had legendary status dominating the Monte Carlo Rally, outmaneuvering heavier machinery across icy mountain passes with lightweight agility rather than brute off-road hardware.
BMW revived the badge 25 years ago and introduced the first Countryman crossover in 2010. Over the years, the company teased enthusiasts with rally-inspired versions, like the Panamericana and JCW Countryman. But most special editions, like the previous Untamed of 2022, amounted to little more than exclusive paintwork and interior stitching.
The 2027 Untamed is definitely an advance on that purely aesthetic formula – at least in North America. Rather than resting on a rugged make-over, the vehicle benefits from serious factory-installed hardware changes.
Suspension is raised, albeit by a modest 0.59 in (15 mm). It rides on unique 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires. Ground clearance increases by 0.75 in (19 mm), marginally improving approach angles. To accommodate the taller stance and heavier rolling resistance of the knobby tires, engineers recalibrated the steering, anti-lock braking system and Dynamic Stability Control.
Visually, the car features a vertically slatted front grille, "Dark Steel" underbody protection elements, protective matte-black film over the wheel arches and an outdoor-inspired interior accented in Nightshade Blue Vescin fabric and elasticated console straps.
Of course, an extra three-quarters of an inch clearance and some elastic straps do not transform a unibody, front-biased crossover into an invincible rock-crawling monster. The Untamed lacks mechanical locking differentials, low-range gearing or specialized terrain management modes. It is, however, a well-conceived response to the booming US soft-roader market, targeted buyers who want just enough capability to navigate fire roads, muddy washouts or unplowed ski-resort parking lots without ripping off the front bumper. For genuine trail overlanding, however, it remains restricted by its car-based architecture.
Playing with figures from government agencies and BMW itself, opting for even this slight trail readiness means the gas Untamed’s fuel efficiency is likely to be up to 10% worse and the all-electric flavor’s range could tumble by up to 15%.
Meanwhile, let’s look at more of the Untamed’s options for a proper overland lifestyle. MINI is offering a specialized, gas-strut roof tent that uses the car roof to provide a solid, flat sleeping floor. It sets up in under two minutes to avoid sleeping on muddy, jagged or wet terrain.
The convenience vanishes if you set up camp for a long weekend though. The tent is bolted to the structure, so you can’t drive to a grocery store or bar without collapsing your sleeping quarters first. Again, there’s a permanent 10% to 20% aerodynamic cost to economy. It looks good in the photos but for many adventurers it makes less practical sense than a decent standalone ground tent.
The degree of off-roading capability you receive from the Untamed depends on where you live. In the United States, the mechanical upgrades come standard across the S ALL4 and electric SE ALL4 variants. Upgrading a S ALL4 to the Untamed Edition pushes the entry price to US$43,900 (plus a $1,350 destination charge).
Across the Atlantic, Europe and the UK receive a watered-down deal. The mechanical 15-mm lift is restricted exclusively to the battery-electric models. The petrol-powered Countryman Untamed gets the rugged styling but rides at standard height on regular road tires. Markets like Australia miss out on the mechanical lift entirely, receiving a purely cosmetic styling package.
Ultimately, the new Countryman Untamed Edition is more than just a sticker package for American buyers but it isn't exactly a mountain goat either. Somehow, we rather like the looks and tend to identify with the Untamed dynamic, though it's like a stylish commuter car that is willing to get its boots dirty… occasionally.
Source: BMW
