Mini Countryman Untamed confirmed for Australia, but major off-road upgrades will be missing

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Mini’s most rugged take yet on its Countryman SUV will arrive in Australia in early 2027, but local buyers will miss out on several of the key mechanical changes that make the new Untamed Edition meaningfully more capable and hard-core off-road in overseas markets.

Confirmed for Australia in both petrol Countryman S ALL4 (all-wheel-drive) and fully electric Countryman SE ALL4 formats, the Untamed brings tougher styling, bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels, protective exterior finishes, and an outdoors-inspired cabin.

Australian buyers will get all of those visual upgrades, but Mini Australia has confirmed to Chasing Cars that local versions will not receive the raised suspension or all-terrain tyres set to be fitted in some overseas markets.

Also missing from the Aussie spec will be the Autohome rooftop tent and additional towing provisions that are being promoted as part of the global Untamed package.

Even so, the Untamed gives the Countryman a remarkably distinct offering when compared to other small premium SUVs including the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and its cousin, the BMW X1. 

What has changed underneath the Countryman Untamed?

In full-fat overseas specification, Mini will raise the Countryman Untamed’s suspension by 15mm, delivering up to 19mm more ground clearance depending on the powertrain. 

That lifted chassis is paired with specially developed Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus tyres fitted to new 19-inch Untamed Edition Spoke wheels, while approach, departure, and breakover angles are all improved.

For markets that get the all-terrain tyres and lift kit, Mini has recalibrated the ABS, stability control and steering systems around the differing suspension geometry and rubber while the all-wheel drive system has been tweaked to improve traction on unsealed roads.

Overseas, the Countryman’s towing capacity has been upgraded to 2000kg while the roof is rated to carry 75kg on the move and as much as 300kg stationary – enough to support a new Autohome-developed rooftop tent.

But those headline off-road upgrades will not make the Australian specification—at least for now – making the local Untamed mechanically much closer to the existing Countryman S ALL4 and SE ALL4 specs.

The Untamed shares the powertrains from the S and SE, with the combustion S combining a 2.0-litre ‘B48’ turbo petrol four-cylinder engine, 48-volt mild hybrid assistance and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with outputs of 160kW/300Nm.

A dual-motor electric powertrain is used in the SE grade, producing 230kW/494Nm, with Mini quoting a 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds and up to 467km of range (WLTP) in current Australian specification.

Where the Untamed will differ substantially from existing Countryman grades on sale in Australia is in the aesthetic department.

New-look features include chunky five-spoke alloys, matt-black protective films across the wheel arches, sills and bonnet power dome, ‘Dark Steel’ underbody elements, a new grille with vertical slats, and a mountain-themed Untamed badge.

There are changes inside, too: Nightshade Blue Vescin sports seats, knitted trim inspired by rock formations, ‘Dark Steel’ detailing, rubber floor and luggage mats and a redesigned centre-console box with elastic retaining straps are all on display.

Untamed shows where Mini could take an even tougher SUV in future

The Countryman’s move toward a more adventurous identity reflects a broader shift occurring in the family SUV market.

There has been a rise in distinct rugged variants in mainstream SUV lineups in recent years, with the adventure-oriented Toyota RAV4 Edge and Subaru Forester Wilderness just two examples of the type. Some are styling exercises while others combine more hardcore suspension packages.

Mini brand boss Jean-Philippe Parain said the Untamed was prompted by customers seeking one vehicle capable of covering daily use and recreational trips.

The decision to bolster the Countryman lineup – at least overseas – with considerably greater off-road and towing ability gives us a clue as to where Mini could take at least one of its SUV models in future and shows that the brand is willing to go surprisingly far to stretch the Countryman’s road-biased platform.

A future dedicated adventure model from Mini could take the formula further with greater clearance, stronger underbody protection and more specialised off-road tech.

Production of the Untamed starts at BMW’s plant in Leipzig, Germany, in November ahead of an Australian launch in early 2027, with local pricing and specs yet to be locked in.