AC Schnitzer knows their way around a number of models in the BMW->ke178 and Mini->ke57 line-up, but when it comes to the new Mini Countryman, things are a bit different. The new Mini comes packing a much different body than that of the Cooper->ke629, leaving tuning firms with uncharted territory. AC Schnitzer is one of the first tuning firms to tackle this new ground, and with their colorful Mini background, the result should be nothing short of spectacular.
What we got, however, is some minor exterior and interior updates that barely change the look of the car at all. The exterior gets a new set of 18" wheels as standard or 19" wheels available upon request. The interior receives an aluminum pedal set and various gear knobs in leather or aluminum with a digital gear display. Yeah, that's it.
AC Schnitzer->ke513 did say that this was only phase one of the package, but we expected a little more out of them. Hopefully, the bulk of it will come in the engine updates in the works. The Countryman->ke3615 is currently powered by 122hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines, with the S model getting turbocharged to 184hp. AC Schnitzer has promised that these engines will get a power boost. Let's just hope we are pleasantly surprised because, as the first tuning kit for the Countryman, this package kind of blows.
2011 Mini Countryman by AC Schnitzer
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