The major addition to the refreshed portfolio of this British company is the brand-new Mini Countryman Electric, formally unveiled as Mini’s first German-made model.
The newest version of the Countryman will debut to the public alongside the new Mini Cooper Electric Vehicle at this year’s IAA Munich, which launches on September 5.
At the front end, the next-generation crossover showcases a fresh octagonal grille, cleverly housing a small radar sensor employed for the vehicle’s Level 2 driving assistance systems. Moreover, it boasts configurable LED daytime running lights capable of presenting up to three distinct lighting signatures, mirroring the innovative design of the new Mini Cooper.
Moving along the side profile, a redesigned and striking C-pillar takes centre stage, featuring distinctive contours that vary depending on the selected trim level. This eye-catching feature is closely accompanied by the option of rims ranging up to 20 inches in diameter. Meanwhile, the rear of the vehicle integrates seamlessly flush tail lights, contributing to its overall sleek appearance.
Much like its contemporary counterpart, the 2024 Countryman offers a curved dashboard. This dashboard is adorned with textile surfaces on select trim levels, lending a luxurious touch to the interior. At its centre, a 9.44-inch OLED screen takes prominence, providing a comprehensive display of vital information ranging from travel speed to navigation guidance and real-time battery status.
The Countryman, which utilises the company’s cutting-edge Operating System 9, has convenient voice control features that let users give instructions by saying “Hey Mini” or by simply pressing the push-to-talk button on the steering wheel, which calls up the Mini Intelligent Personal Assistant.
This German-made crossover has the option of a split panoramic glass roof, bringing a touch of refinement to the interior and providing room for up to five passengers. The back seats can also be extended longitudinally by up to 130mm. With such adaptability, passengers can modify the space as necessary, whether it is to increase legroom for back passengers or increase the amount of cargo space in the rear trunk.
A huge 460 litres of cargo space can be found in the trunk with the rear backrest in its default position. However, this capacity is considerably increased to 1,450 litres by folding down the back seats. The car’s charging equipment can be stored in a separate compartment on the floor for enhanced convenience.
An optional retractable and extended trailer, with a towing capability of up to 1,200kg is offered for those with towing needs.
It will be available in four distinct trim levels, mirroring the lineup offered for the Mini Cooper: Essential, Classic, Favoured, and JCW.
The base model, the Essential trim, features black sports seats covered in patterned multitone fabrics. A three-spoke steering wheel is introduced when upgrading to the Classic trim, replacing the standard two-spoke model. For extra visual appeal, a new textile strap is positioned at the six o’clock spoke. The dashboard and door panels of the interior are elevated by the Favoured trim’s Dark Petrol finish. Sports seats with stitching details and an embroidered Mini logo are also included.
The JCW Trim, known as the sportiest of the variations, distinguishes itself with version-specific sports seats that provide improved lateral support. These seats have distinctive red stitching, multi-coloured knitted textile upholstery, and black synthetic leather as well as other significant upgrades and is yet to be revealed.
This third-generation electrified crossover is 60mm taller and 130mm longer than the model it replaces. The Countryman E has a WLTP-certified range of 462km and is powered by a front-mounted electric motor that generates 201hp and 250Nm of torque, and the Countryman SE ALL4 that features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with a combined output of 308hp and 494Nm of torque and a WLTP range of 433km, are the two powertrain options that will be offered.
The capacity and battery specifications of either variant are not stated directly by Mini. However, earlier teases suggested that the Countryman E would have a 54-kWh battery and the Countryman SE ALL4 would have a 64-kWh battery. However, Mini does state the charging capacities for both models, stating that they can each accept up to 22kW of AC power and up to 130kW when used with a DC fast charger.
The standard model’s top speed is 170km/h, and it can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds. The more potent model, on the other hand, has a top speed of 180km/h and can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds.
The electric Countryman easily beats its smaller Mini Cooper rivals in terms of charging capacity and overall performance. For example, the Cooper SE can only handle up to 11kW of AC power and a maximum of 95kW when attached to a DC fast charger.
The commencement of production for the third-generation Mini Countryman is scheduled to take place at the BMW Group’s Leipzig factory in Germany later this year.
