The new Mini Countryman is official – now electric

The new Mini Countryman is here, and now it’s more German than ever. After Brexit, Mini owners opted to bring BMW production to Germany. While the predecessor was manufactured in the UK, Austria and the Netherlands, the new generation will be built at BMW’s Leipzig plant.

The new third generation group is based on the same platform as the sibling BMW X3. Compared to its predecessor, it has grown slightly. A total of six centimeters in height and thirteen in length. It offers overall measurements of 1,656 millimeters in height and 4,443 in length. The wheelbase is 2,692 and the width is 1,843 millimeters.
Like its smaller sibling the Mini Cooper, the Countryman will initially come in two electric versions. Countryman E with an electric motor delivering 204 horsepower, 150 kW and 250 Newton meters to the front wheels. As well as the Countryman SE All4, the two electric motors combine to produce 313 horsepower, 230 kW and 494 Newton metres. Power is supplied to all four wheels.

The entry-level version E should have a WLTP range of up to 462 kilometers, while the four-wheel-drive SE can handle 433. Both share a battery with a capacity of 66.45 kWh. Much larger than the smaller Cooper, 40.7 or 54.2 kWh. They should be charged with 22 kW AC and fast charged with 130 kW DC.
The E-version accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 170 km/h. Corresponding figures for the SE are 5.6 seconds and 180 km/h.

But this does not apply only to electric propulsion. Both petrol and diesel options are coming, but it’s not clear if they will come to Sweden.
Front-wheel drive Countryman C or all-wheel drive Countryman S All4 and performance version Countryman JCW All4. While the diesel will come as front- or four-wheel drive, the Mini won’t share any detailed specifications about the engines. But let’s assume it’s the same as the BMW X1. So 1.5-2.0 liter three and four cylinders.

In terms of design, Mini has slightly angled the new Countryman, although the basic shape of its predecessor remains. At the rear, more liberties have been taken with, among other things, a completely different C-pillar that has become more prominent. As before, the roof has a different color from the rest of the body, and the D-pillars are black to give the illusion that the roof is floating.
The taillights are no longer clearly marked with the Union Jack, perhaps this has something to do with moving production out of England.

A lot of fabric has been used in the passenger compartment, door sides and instrument panel. But if you look beyond the styling, it’s as stripped down as the new Cooper. Both share the same 9.44-inch all-round OLED screen at the center of the dashboard. Everything is kept here, including tools.
Thanks to the Countryman’s growth, the cabin is three and 2.5 centimeters wider in the front and rear, respectively. The rear seat can be adjusted up to 13 centimeters, and the backrest can be adjusted in six positions.
The luggage compartment can hold up to 460 liters or up to 1,450 liters with the rear seats folded down. Rear seat split is 40/20/40. The new Countryman can be fitted with a towbar and can then tow up to 1,200kg.

As with the new Mini Cooper, more detailed technical data and Swedish prices will be available in the autumn. The Swedish launch is expected to take place in spring 2024.