- Mini plans to lean more into the outdoorsy aesthetic with the Countryman.
- Design chief Holger Hampf said the SUV ‘hasn’t played to its full potential yet.’
- More Countryman iterations will likely be coming soon.
Off-roading and overlanding are all the rage right now. More and more automakers are leaning into that rugged aesthetic, whether with versions of their unibody crossovers covered in thick padding or new SUVs designed to be on the cutting edge.
Mini probably isn’t the first name you think of when you hear “off-road.” Historically, this British brand prioritizes urban mobility. However, the company’s latest design chief aims to play more outdoors with the Countryman SUV.
Talk with Motor1 in a recent interview, Holger Hampf admitted that he has big plans for the Countryman. Design bosses say there could be a big opportunity to push compact SUVs further into the outdoor lifestyle space than ever before.
“One thing I can point to is the trend of outdoor activities and independence—the freedom that cars have always given us,” Hampf said. “That’s something I wanted to explore further with the Mini.”
“You will definitely see that in the next few years,” Hampf continued. “The Countryman hasn’t played all its cards yet, and I’m excited to explore where else the Mini can play.”
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Motorcycle Pickup1: Considering the newest Countryman is only two years old and debuted for the 2024 model year, it’s safe to say that more iterations may be on the way. With so many automakers leaning into the off-road trend, it’s no surprise that Mini is doing the same.
