After launching the all-new Countryman earlier this month at Rs 34.90 lakh, Mini has now commenced local assembly of its largest model yet at the BMW Group plant in Chennai.

The 2018 Mini Countryman is being assembled in India right from day one and – according to Vikram Pawah, president, BMW Group India – has over 50 percent local content, which is similar to other locally assembled BMW models. This gives the Countryman a competitive price tag, which is something the company is hoping will help double its sales in India. Introduction of facelifts of Mini's other models, including the Cooper, Convertible and Clubman is also expected to further support volumes.

To refresh your memory, the second-gen Mini Countryman is available in three variants – the Cooper S (Rs 34.90 lakh), Cooper SD (Rs 37.40 lakh) and the sporty Cooper S JCW Inspired (Rs 41.40 lakh) (all prices, ex-showroom).

The new Mini Countryman is based on the same UKL platform as its cousin, the BMW X1, and can be had with a petrol or a diesel engine. The petrol – powering the Cooper S and Cooper S JCW Inspired – is a 2.0-litre, turbocharged example making 192hp and 280Nm of torque. The Cooper SD gets a 2.0-litre diesel producing 190hp and 400Nm of torque. Power goes to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and while the four-wheel-drive or ALL4 versions are available internationally, the India-spec Countryman is FWD only.

When it comes to features, the new Countryman sports the latest iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen. The S JCW Inspired variant looks spicier, and packs in front apron air ducts, 18-inch alloys (non-JCW trims get 17-inch wheels), a rear spoiler and other additional equipment such as a rear view camera, a sporty steering wheel, a Harman Kardon system, a head-up display, wireless charging and stainless-steel pedal covers.

Also see:

2018 Mini Countryman India image gallery

2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S review, test drive