Countryman Rear Bench Seat Available In US This September

According to MotoringFile the rear bench seat that makes the Countryman a five seat vehicle will be available in the US beginning this September on 2012 models.

 The delay in introduction of the five seater in the US was the need to change NHTSA standards to permit a three seat rear bench seat in a car as wide as the Countryman. Prior US standards forbid it in such a small width. No word on what the bench seating will cost.