Mini has taken the wraps off the all-new, third-gen Countryman SUV, and it now also gets an all-electric powertrain option. Series production and sales of the new Countryman will begin overseas sometime next year.
- Third-gen Countryman larger than predecessor
- Three turbo-petrol engines and two electric powertrains to be offered
- India launch expected next year
Mini Countryman: now in its third generation
The new Countryman has grown substantially; most notably, it is 60mm taller and 130mm longer than its predecessor. The increase in overall size is attributed to Mini’s plans to introduce the slightly smaller Mini Aceman SUV, which will sit below the Countryman in the brand’s lineup. With the new Countryman, Mini is aiming to attract new customers, but also hopes to retain current Mini customers by offering them something more practical than the Cooper hatchback, but something that’s still a Mini.
Mini Countryman: exterior and interior details
The new Mini Countryman’s exterior design is a clear evolution of the previous two generations. It features changes that have been seen on the new Cooper, such as the octagonal front grille and revamped headlights and tail lights. Its C-pillar treatment has also been reworked.
The interior features a similarly minimalist look as seen in the Cooper, with the dashboard dominated by an identical touchscreen. The SUV’s increased dimensions has allowed for an enlarged centre console, featuring larger cupholders and an extra 130mm of legroom in the back – the rear seat backrests are now individually adjustable in six positions by up to 12 degrees, too. There’s 460/1,450 litres of boot space – also representing a slight improvement – plus an underfloor cubby for storing the EV version’s charging cables. Both ICE and EV versions will be offered with a range of three interior trims and eight Mini Experience modes.
Notably, the Countryman will be the first Mini to offer Level 2 autonomous driver assistance systems, including semi-autonomous driving at speeds of up to 60kph.
Mini Countryman: electric powertrain options
Seaking of the all-electric version, Mini will offer two powertrain options – the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive Countryman E with 204hp and 250Nm, and the dual-motor, four-wheel-drive Countryman SE All4 with 313hp and 494Nm of torque. The former is said to take 8.6 seconds to sprint to 100kph from standstill and reach a top speed of 170kph, while the latter will take just 5.6 seconds, and go on to hit a top whack of 180kph.
Both feature a 66.45kWh battery, which offers official ranges of 462km and 433km, respectively, and both can be rapid-charged at rates of up to 130kW.
Mini Countryman: other powertrain options
At least two petrol engines will also be available – a 169hp, 1.5-litre turbocharged triple will power the front wheels of the Countryman C, while a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot (shared with the BMW X1) will send 218hp to all-four wheels of the S All4. The John Cooper Works (JCW) All4 gets the same 2.0-litre unit in a 300hp and 400Nm state of tune for a claimed 0-100kph time of 5.4 seconds. Mini has also confirmed the availability of a diesel engine in some markets though specifications have yet to be revealed.
Some international markets will also have atleast one diesel powertrin on offer.
Expect the India launch of the new Mini Countryman to take place sometime next year.