Mini Design Chief Hints at Rugged Off-Road Countryman

Mini is planning to further position its Countryman SUV into the outdoor and off-road segments. Although the brand has traditionally focused on urban mobility, Holger Hampf, the newly appointed head of design, recently told Motor1 that the Countryman "hasn't played all its cards yet" and will explore more possibilities tied to outdoor lifestyles in the coming years. He emphasized that the sense of freedom and independence embodied by automobiles is precisely the direction Mini aims to pursue more deeply. Given that the current-generation Countryman was only launched in 2024—making it just two years old—this move could signal Mini's intention to introduce a new variant with enhanced off-road styling or capabilities, aligning with the current industry trend of automakers increasingly targeting the outdoor SUV market.