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Mini offers canvas seats with Countryman

Getaway package for Mini brings in outdoor seats and a table, along with rainy weather gear.

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Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
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Mini_picnic01.jpg
Mini Cooper Countryman
The new Mini Cooper Countryman can be had with table and chairs. Mini

Mini shows it marketing finesse with a new picnic accessory package announced for the upcoming Countryman model. The Getaway package consists of two canvas and wood folding chairs, a folding table, and various other outdoor accouterments that stow in a cargo area hatch.

 
Mini Countryman Getaway package
Minis folding chairs stow in the Countryman's cargo area. Mini

The Countryman is a small SUV, not much bigger than the standard Cooper model, and is the first Mini with all-wheel-drive. Mini has been touting it as the model for outdoorsy types; some of the first images show it traversing sand dunes.

The Getaway package seems appropriate for watching the horses at Goodwood racetrack, or a summer day in an alpine meadow.

Along with chairs and table, Mini offers what it calls a Five-in-one Cover, which supposedly can be used as a picnic blanket, awning, poncho, or sleeping bag. For inclement weather the package also includes a parka and galoshes. Of course, everything is adorned with Union Jacks and checkered flags.

Bring your own croquet set.