Mini India Plans To Launch Countryman Diesel

Published: Monday, February 4, 2013, 16:20 [IST]

Mini, the BMW AG owned British premium car brand has had a successful year in India in 2012. With virtually no competition and a huge brand image Mini has seen its sales grow consistently over the months. But Mini has now started focusing on diesel cars for India in an effort to have a greater foot hold in the premium car market.

Reports say Mini will be launching the Countryman diesel in India within the next couple of months. The Country man was always considered as an ideal car for Indian drivers from Mini's stables. However the fact that it was available only with petrol engines was considered as a deterrent.

Mini India has started testing the Mini Countryman for the homologation process conducted by ARAI. ARAI is the Indian authority that certifies the fuel economy and emissions of all vehicle sold in the country.

Mini India's decision to plan the launch of the Mini Countryman diesel is not surprising as a majority of premium cars now sold in India are powered by diesel engines.

The Mini Cooper Countryman D to be launched in India will be powered by a two litre turbocharged engine capable of generating a peak power of 130PS and the maximum torque figure is 300Nm. We can expect the Mini Cooper Countryman D to hit a top speed of 210kmph.

The launch of the Mini Countryman diesel could soon be followed by other diesel variants of the Cooper and Cooper S.