New MINI JCW Countryman launched with firsts

The iconic British marque MINI, part of the BMW Group, launched the new JCW Countryman on Monday, as its latest member of its lineup in the Chinese market.

The model is the first to sport the new JCW logo, the acronym of John Cooper Works that translates into exhilarating driving experience for the 65-year-old brand's cars.

With its sleek design, the new JCW Countryman has a drag coefficient of just 0.26, making it one of the most aerodynamic cars in its class.

This helps the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which generates 221 kW, to accelerate the car from 0 to 100 km/hour in just 5.4 seconds. The 400 Nm of torque and top speed of 250 km/hour make for an exhilarating driving experience.

Also, the model is the first ever MINI vehicle that sports the Level 2 driving-assist functions. It is also the world's first model to feature a round OLED display.

The brand, which is considered as an icon of the 1960s British popular culture, said it will launch two electric models this year, as the automotive industry is shifting towards electrification.

The two models will be the electric MINI Cooper and the electric MINI Aceman, said the company.