The Top 5 Tech Features in the New MINI Countryman SE

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If you haven’t heard MINI has an all new Countryman that’s larger and entirely redesigned and even available fully electric. But perhaps the biggest change is inside with a completely rethink of the digital experience and loads of new technology. Here’s are our top five favorite tech features in the new Countryman.

The Circular Display & MINI OS9

Before we get to our top five, it’s important to touch on the foundation of it all – MINI OS9 and that incredible OLED circular display. It it’s what on that display that powers everything. MINI OS9 is the brands all new operating system that is literally the centerpiece of the interior.

1. augmented reality Navigation

One of the standout features is MINI’s new augmented reality option within the navigation system. The augmented reality view overlays mapping graphics on a live video feed in the top of the circular display helping to literally paint directions on the road in front of you. On the bottom is a top-down map view which is perfectly synced with the video and gives you a full picture of where you are as you get clarity on when and where to turn. It worked flawlessly for us and felt like a game changer for urban environments.

2. Level 2 autonomous driving

Another great addition is the optional L2 autonomous driving functionality. Behind the glossy plastic where there’s a grille on the petrol Countryman are several ultrasonic sensors positioned on the horizontal strut that work in tandem with a suite of 12 sensors in total. Their goal is to detect the MINIs surroundings painting a much more clear picture of obstacles in a wider array of weather conditions.

With this system MINI has dramatically improved its active cruise that we’re told will be more weather proof and hehe less faults. It also allows MINI’s new Augmented Reality navigation to be incredibly precise in the complex environments.

When engaged, Driving Assistant Professional allows the driver to take their hands off the wheel at speeds of up to 37 mph (60 km/h), as long as they have their eyes on the road (as determined by an eye tracker) and are ready to intervene at any time. Once you reach 38 MPH the system switches modes and goes into a more simplistic autonomous setting which requires a driver’s hands to rest on the wheel. However the system works identically, following traffic, the curves of the road and will even change lanes based on the driver using the turn signal. As you can see in the video above system requires hands-on the wheel or at least pressure of some kind as a safety measure.

3. Rotating Reverse Camera

It may seem gimmicky but using it might change your mind. This feature allows the rear camera to move with the steering wheel. This is incredibly handy when backing out of spots in crowded parking lots. MINI has never mentioned this in any official release yet the functionality is genuinely impressive and useful. That said it appears that this feature is not available in North America.

4. Boost Mode

Boost Mode is a bit of a cheat code for MINI drivers. In short it activates of all max performance setting for a total of 10 seconds. In our brief testing we found it to be the ideal weapon for overtaking on back roads or powering out of tight corners. It also can work as a type of launch mode for optimal acceleration.

In our experience it found it perfect for putting the car on its toes and prepping it for maximum attack. And it’s a great shortcut. To replicate it you’d have to do the following: Select GoKart Mode with the center toggle and then go to the mode’s secondary menu to pick all of the sportiest individual settings. 

One thing it doesn’t do is add more power. Unlike similar functionality in other cars, Boost Mode doesn’t activate any additional power or torque.

5. Shortcuts

MINI OS9 might be relatively intuitive but it’s not yet perfect. For instance getting to functionality like massaging seats requires quite a few clicks. But there’s a solution that once you know learn becomes invaluable.

MINI’s longstanding shortcut buttons are gone but they’ve been replaced with something even better. Simply swipe up from the bottom and you have access to your shortcuts. And to create shortcuts you just have to press and hold on any functionality to save it.

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