My fellow Countryman
I would like to believe that all of us here on earth, whether we be living or inanimate objects, are created to live our own purpose. Our very existence is designed not by chance nor mere coincidence. Each and everyone of us has our own roles to play. Plants, for instance, play their roles by providing us human beings oxygen. In exchange, we, in turn, give off carbon dioxide for them to grow and bear fruit. Chairs have their own–tables, too. Doctors, lawyers, journalists, you name it. Being a Filipino implies that we have to take our part to be good and loyal citizens of this country, some even take it up a notch and enlist themselves as reservists–which demand more from them being their sole duty to our flag.
Cars–too–have their own. They cater, specifically, to the needs and purpose of the driver and his occupants. While these may seem to be all too conspicuous and perhaps ‘very basic’ that simpletons may easily comprehend the narrative this tries to present, the bottom-line is that creation and its relation to its creators are immaculately one. In short, they’re synergized.
Apart from–obviously–a higher being who crafted flesh, bones and soul, we humans have likewise the knack to create something out of nothing. Take, for example, how Alec Issigonis, the father of the Mini car, was able to ingeniously come up with a cult classic during the oil crisis of the 1950s. The plan at that time was to simply create a vehicle with lots of space inside with “minimum dimensions outside, seats for passengers, impeccable driving characteristics, superior fuel economy, and a very affordable price.” Eventually, this car sold like hotcakes and was beloved the world over. Thus, the rest they say is history.
Today, this miniscule vehicle birthed a bigger, more family-oriented model in 2010, the Mini Countryman. While the Mini Cooper may be for the pesky, funky, fun-loving bachelor. The Mini Countryman, on the other hand, is for the grown-up, more mature young family man. And it’s now on its third iteration. Mind you, it already has a full electric version, which this writer was able to fondly drive around.
Meant for the family
I was originally scheduled for a smaller full electric Mini Cooper lend out. But as fate would have it, it was my daughter’s birthday and we were going to treat her to a wholesome weekend in Clark, Pampanga, a good 80km north of Manila. Good thing, our friends from Mini Philippines decided to lend us the bigger Mini Countryman SE ALL4, which cozily fitted all four of us, including our luggage at the back. It comfortably did so, with its 13-cm longer and 8-cm taller dimensions compared to its predecessor. This ‘mature’ Mini stands 4,445 mm long, 2,069 mm wide and 1,635 mm tall.
Despite its heft, this Mini still carries the same DNA as its ancestors–that signature hatchback-shaped profile with its octagonal front grille, mated with its glitzy LED headlights and power dome bonnet. It’s characterized by its short overhangs topped by its sleek silhouette, not to mention 20-inch light alloy wheels that further add to this spectacle of a machine. My kids were even further fascinated by the ‘Mini’ logo projection from both the passenger and the driver-side mirrors that reflected on the ground every time the doors opened and closed.
Mini disco pub inside
To further add charm to the wonders of this vehicle, the cabin was designed for that fun and adrenaline-filled experience. Front and center of all the entertainment is its state-of-the-art OLED technology, with a diameter of 240 mm. From it, one can control the ambience with different shades of lights, with matching ‘eargasmic’ sounds from Harman Kardon speakers all reminding you that you can still have fun despite bearing offsprings, bringing them out into the world and barely raising them to proper adulthood.
Also, bringing in more fun are the various drive modes of the Countryman, plus–of course–the ever-signature go-kart feel of its steering wheel. Power is rated at 230kW or 308hp and 494N-m of torque; and with an all-wheel drive system, it can go to 100kph from standstill in just 5.6 seconds. The range, meanwhile, can reach 432km.
To cap off, not only did I had fun with the Mini Countryman, my family did, too.
Now, like what I have said earlier, everything has its purpose. When the oil crisis wrought havoc in the 50s, people needed an economical yet fun car, Mini then was born. When owners of the Mini Cooper eventually grew up, designers then came up with the bigger, more mature Countryman.
Today, as the world constantly suffers from the harmful effects of climate change, it desperately depends on the world’s creators to lessen carbon emissions. Here then comes the inception of these full electric Minis.
Yes, while all these may be good and all. Don’t we just all wish that with the fast rising local demand of these electric vehicles, infrastructure–or otherwise known as electric charging stations can likewise be able to align with their pace, as well?
