MINI Countryman Untamed 2026: suspension, ground clearance and engines

© MINI Countryman Off-Road

MINI has revealed the most off-road-focused version of the current Countryman. The new Countryman Untamed Edition gets increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires and retuned electronics, with its world premiere held on October 6, 2026.

The project had been confirmed by the manufacturer months earlier. BMW Group said a specially prepared Countryman was being tested in the Rocky Mountains and would gain more capability away from paved roads. At that stage the vehicle was called a new Countryman Edition, while the prototype shown by MINI was explicitly described as a test vehicle not intended for sale.

The main differences of the production version are now known. For the North American Countryman Untamed, the suspension has been raised by about 15 mm, while overall ground clearance reaches roughly 222 mm. The vehicle gets 19-inch wheels with Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires, additional underbody protection, and revised calibration for the ABS, stability control and steering.

In North America, the Untamed package will be offered on the 241 hp gasoline Countryman S ALL4 and the fully electric 308 hp Countryman SE ALL4. The gasoline version starts at $45,250, with production scheduled to begin in November 2026. First customer deliveries are expected in early 2027. The powertrain lineup differs in other markets, so the North American specification should not be treated as global.

The first serious test is already set. MINI will enter the Countryman Untamed in the Rebelle Rally, a navigation competition covering about 1,500 miles, or 2,400 km, across Nevada, California and Utah. Competitors navigate without GPS, using maps, a compass and a roadbook.

The main question about the model's actual off-road changes has therefore been answered: the Untamed is more than a design-focused special edition. Increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires and dedicated electronic calibration distinguish it from the standard Countryman. Its next test will be the Rebelle Rally and the first independent assessments of how it performs away from paved roads.