Just before hitting the legendary Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway, the MINI TAKES THE STATES tour stopped by Chicago’s South Loop last weekend to introduce its latest car.
Unlike its predecessor, the new 2011 MINI Countryman has four individual seats, is considerably bigger and offers more interior space than other MINI vehicles. Before the Countryman — which measures 161.3 inches in length — the largest MINI Cooper was the S Clubman at 155.8 inches. 
After checking out the new Countryman, Crystal Savage said she would seriously consider purchasing the car.
“I love the bigger MINI,” Savage said. “I think its modern enough for us. I’m not too fond of the little MINIs, but I love that car.”
Savage added that the new Countryman looks “family friendly and friend friendly.”
Tricia Grant was also won over by the Countryman dues to its increased size.
“I didn’t like MINI before this, but I like that car,” Grant said. “It looks bigger. It looks like you can take a road trip [in it].”
MINI USA’s spokesman David Duncan agreed with Grant’s analysis of the new Countryman. But he went on to add that MINI Coopers, which recently turned 50, have always been about fun and exploring the world.
“In my mind, it’s the same terms as the motorcycle communities. Where motorcyclists get together and ride together,” Duncan said. “The MINI has a community that is very similar to that. We like to ride. We like to motor together as we say.”
Duncan, who drives the Clubman, says the rallies started in 2006 and thousands of MINI Cooper owners decided to continue meeting every two years.
“When you have a car that’s [fun], you want to get together and experience that together with a like mind-set,” Duncan said.
The MINI community has covered nearly 8,000 miles and 19 states this year.
–nykeya woods
