Mini countryman Platform

Im wondering which platform is the countryman on? Is it the same as the R56 platform?

Or newly developed?

Thanks, just curious. hehe

Having looked at the both vehicles, especially the bottoms, I'd say that they are different platforms as well as different body structures. If you want to see more of the CM4:
http://hammanet.smugmug.com/Cars/MIN...2387&k=J2R5XqT

it is the new R60 platform

I was told it was based on the BMW X1

I've seen both in print - X1 and R60 specific. Last I heard, I believe the R60 was the official story.

So to conclude, the R60 is a newly developed chasis/structure right? Not based on the X1?

I have heard/read many different articles, some said based on the X1, some said R56, some said newly developed....really confused now.

"The R60 is not the same as the X1" - reference:
http://e84.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=423908

"BMW's upcoming X1 may be similar in size and some dynamics, but it is a completely different vehicle and shares nothing but corporate ownership with the Countryman." - reference:
http://autos.aol.com/cars-MINI-Coope...expert-review/

The dimensions are different, the systems are different...As for me, the AWD used on the ALL4 is much more successful than the BMW X-drive.

Interesting! Thanks ghamma for the links! I was really wanting to see the X1 next to the Countryman. That couldn't have been any better!

So the ALL4 drive is not a proven system from any design? It's all new?

Totally disagree with you on this. IMO, X-drive is the best AWD system I have ever used, better than Audi Quattro, better than Subaru, and better than All4. X-drive is RWD biased, and as such maintains the "steer with the throttle" feel of RWD cars when you turn traction and stability control off. With them on, it's dead neutral, predictable, and able to put power down coming out of corners in the snow.

All4 is very good for a FWD-biased system, and is probably "safer" for the majority of drivers, but isn't nearly as neutral as I would like.

Well Sir there is no way X-Drive is better than Audi Quattro. The drawback of Quattro is the weight of the system. But me and my buddy did the winter driving class up in Georgetown, CO on the frozen lake to see how good we were in the snow. He owns a 2011 BMW 335XI with Michelin Alpin tires, I have a 2011 Audi S5 cab with the same tires and we both concluded that my Audi had superior traction in both the snowy and ice portions. Also my Audi had consistently faster lap times than his car with X-drive. Quattro is also rear biased with a base of a 40/60 f/r split.

Your S5 has the torque-vectoring rear diff, right? That would explain the performance advantage over X-drive. My comments were based off of driving a previous-gen A4, obviously without torque-vectoring.

Standard Quattro vs X-drive:

Yea my S5 does have that. It really does help. But my car is just a tank in the snow. It rarely loses traction only when I stomp on it does that happen. But I'm pretty all of the S models have the rear diff because I've driven a B8 S4 and it had the same traction and feel to my car even though the S5 cab and S4 have the same engine and more less the chassis.