MINI Malaysia Welcomes The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid! [+Video]

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MINI Malaysia Welcomes The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid! [+Video]

MINI Malaysia has introduced the New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, the first Plug-In Hybrid variant of the successful premium Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) from MINI.

Mr. Kidd Yam, Head of MINI Malaysia (main image, right) said, “The second generation of the MINI Countryman was a tremendous success here when we introduced the vehicle in April last year. The versatile premium SAV was also very crucial in adding to the story of our record breaking performance of 1,011 vehicles delivered last year which was a positive 12% growth over 2016 where we delivered 902 vehicles. This achievement made us the second highest growing brand in the Malaysian premium segment and we are currently tracking very well as the third largest brand in the segment.”

Kidd Yam added that the New MINI Countryman also achieved a top 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test. The stringent testing procedure established that the spacious MINI all-rounder, also designed for being taken off the beaten track, provides an outstanding level of protection on all seats in every situation.

Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications, BMW Group Malaysia, (main image, left) meanwhile said, “We are pleased to be able to introduce another premium vehicle to our Mobility of the Future portfolio here in the country. It is additionally special as it is the first for the MINI brand and will further demonstrate our expertise in working with the newest technologies for the premium automotive industry.”

Ambi added that MINI has been a pioneer of electro mobility for over a decade with the MINI E which was utilised as test beds for user and mobility behaviour. The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid shares the newest developments findings in electro mobility in the country. Have a look at the video of the new Mini Countryman PHEV below…

More on the new MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid: Agile, Versatile, Electrifying….

Discreet but equally unmistakable indications of the pioneering character of the car’s drive form is noticeable with the distinct model-specific “e” badge on the side scuttles and yellow “S” in the model inscription on the rear as well as on the radiator grille and door sill finishers. In addition to this, the New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid’s all-new electrifying experience is equipped with ALL4 exterior body kit, 19” MINI Yours Masterpiece, as well as a charging port under a flap in the area of the left-hand side scuttle.

On the inside, the New MINI Countryman features MINI Yours Walknappa Leather Steering Wheel. Rich details complete the artisan feel with hand-finished aluminium-coloured contrast stitching. A high resolution 6.5” Touch Screen Display in the MINI Centre Instrument houses state-of-the-art technology and puts a wealth of navigation information at the driver’s fingertips. The touch screen technology supports multi-touch with pinch to zoom-in functionality for maps and typing.

The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid also features an eDrive button which allows the driver to choose between different electric drive modes: the standard AUTO eDrive mode, the purely electric MAX eDrive mode, and the SAVE BATTERY mode, in which charging status of the high-voltage battery is maintained at a constant level.

In the AUTO eDrive mode, the intelligent energy management system coordinates the interaction of all drive components with the electric motor to combine the best possible efficiency with great driving excitement, while increasing the electric range. For example, if the battery charging status is between 100% and 7%, drivers can drive up to 80km/h – free of local emissions without using any fuel. At higher speeds, the petrol engine comes on automatically. For maximum drive output, the electric motor supports the petrol engine as eBoost.

In the MAX eDRIVE mode, drivers can enjoy purely electric driving up to speeds of 120km/h. Short distances can be covered on purely electric power with a range of 40km. The SAVE BATTERY mode meanwhile comes into play when the battery charging status is low. This mode enables the battery to be charged by the petrol engine or allows the charging status to be maintained at 90%. In this mode, mainly the petrol engine is employed.

The MINI eALL4 System plays a role to emulate the hallmark MINI Go-Kart driving experience. The ALL4 all-wheel drive comes with Dynamic Stability Control which distributes the propulsive force of the engines to both axles. The petrol engine propels the front axle wheels while the electric motor propels the rear axle wheels. The ALL4 system helps to counteract oversteer as well as understeer and ensures an optimum propulsion. This means supreme traction on every road surface, maximum stability, and even more fun cornering. With the MINI eALL4 system, firm grip is guaranteed wherein the MAX eDrive mode activates rear wheel drive, the SAVE BATTERY mode activates front wheel drive, and the AUTO eDRIVE mode with eBoost will activate four wheel drive.

Being the first of its kind in MINI, the new MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid effectively offers a petrol engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor powering on the rear wheels. With 6-speed automatic transmission, the new MINI is capable of producing 224hp and 385Nm of torque, thus making the model the torquiest MINI model in its range. The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of up to 198km/h while consuming only an average of 2.1 litres per 100km of fuel. It also offers an all-electric driving range of up to 42km with a maximum speed of up to 120km/h.

The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid can be charged at home by connecting it to a power socket via the Home Charging Cable for approximately 5 hours (230V), depending on the voltage of the household power grid, or at one of 270 public charging facilities across Malaysia for approximately 3:15 hours (230V), depending on the voltage of the power grid of the public charging station.

To reward owners of the New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, MINI Malaysia will also introduce the ChargeNow offering bundled with the MINI Public Charging Cables as well as a 1-Year free subscription of unlimited charging at all 270 ChargeEV stations. The body and roof colour combination offered for the New MINI Countryman are Chili Red, British Racing Green, Thunder Grey, Light White, and Melting Silver with Black Roof; and in Island Blue with White Roof.

MORE…

MINI Roadside Assistance…

The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid is covered by MINI Malaysia’s 5 Years Roadside Assistance programme, available for all new MINI vehicles with a comprehensive list of services that include a 24-Hour, 365-days-a-year Accident and Help on the Phone and On the Spot Hotline, Free Towing Services and when needed (over 200KM from residential home), Replacement Vehicle, Seamless Mobility, Accommodation, Mobility Services Solutions as well as Repatriation services.

Additionally, the new plug-in hybrid variant of the MINI Countryman is offered with a battery warranty that is valid for six years or up to 100,000km.

The MINI Roadside Assistance program can be accessed by contacting 1800-88-8808.

MINI Service Online…

Making a service appointment has never been easier. The new online service programme will now allow customers to schedule their service needs directly at their preferred MINI Authorised Dealerships via www.service.mini.my.

MINI Financing…

The new locally assembled MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid will be available with a range of financing options including:

MINI Balloon Financing
MINI Straight-Line Financing
MINI Full Circle Programme
MINI Step-Down Financing

The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid is available at all authorised MINI dealerships nationwide from Friday, 6th April 2018. More information on the MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid can be found at https://www.mini.my/.

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Editor Info

Chris Wee

Chris Wee has been in the motoring journalism scene since the early 90's, cutting his teeth with publications such as Highway Malaysia, Asian Auto, Auto International, and later on as Editor of Asean Autocar and Malaysian EVO, for which he was its Managing Editor for 7-years, He's also been with NST Cars, Bikes & Trucks, and started his on-line motoring career with Autofreaks.com. Piston.my may be his last stop in a motoring journalism career that spans more than two decades.