2018 Mini Cooper S Countryman Sports (F60, CKD version) : More accessories, affordable sticker price!

The Mini Countryman PHEV is not just one of the stars of the launch, but the locally-assembled Mini Cooper S Countryman Sports is also being introduced since Thursday. The new Countryman Sports is not just being sold in a reasonable price, but it also gets a full extension of John Cooper Works accessories.

Pricing starts from RM 245,888 which is now RM 24,000 cheaper than the Netherlands-built Cooper S Countryman.

Exterior-wise, the Countryman Sports is way more sportier than the CBU mate as it fully-equipped with John Cooper Works Aerodynamic kit which consists of an aggressive front bumper with functional air ducts to cool the brake, a sporty rear bumper with diffuser, and JCW door sills. Not to mentioned that it also comes with 19'' Mini JCW Course Spoke Wheels, and a firmer sports suspension with stiffer springs to enhance the handling.

The Countryman Sports still retains the 2 litre turbocharged inline-4 BMW B48 engine that produces 192 hp and 280 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic and sends the power to the front wheels.

The fun part is not just from the outside, but it's even more fun on the inside. Most items in the Countryman Sports are previously unavailable in the CBU Countryman such as heads-up display, a full Professional Navigation System with 8.8 inch touchscreen and Mini Touch controls, and the most anticipating 12 speaker, 360-watts Harman Kardon audio system which the PHEV version doesn't get. There's also a Carbon Black Cross Punch leather upholstery, a JCW leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching, Chrome Line interior pack, dual-zone climate controls with rear vents, LED headlights and fog lights, auto lights and wipers, as well as keyless entry system.

Since the Countryman Sports has a bigger screen, it is possible to split the app into two especially in navigation or media where you can monitor the on-board computer, clock and more. There's one cool feature that most Mini owners won't know, whereby there's a compass to find the Qibla (or kiblat in Malay), which is the direction to pray especially for Muslims. Good thinking, Mini!