The new Mini Countryman was unveiled at the IAA show in Munich. Longer and higher, this electric fighter modernizes its exterior and exterior style, but it is also available in an All 4 version developing 313 horsepower and with a range of 462 kilometers.
Alongside the new Mini Cooper E, the BMW Group also unveiled the new Countryman version. A model that we had the opportunity to discover before the IAA show in Munich and for which we are now authorized to reveal its main characteristics and the few changes made to the style. Let’s start with this point.
Mini Countryman: for lovers of the “adventurer” style
Unsurprisingly, this new generation of Countryman retains its athletic and adventurous character that suits it well. The lines are a bit more marked than on the Mini Cooper, giving it a more imposing overall look. Moreover, like the city car, the Countryman grows. Its dimensions are now 4.43 m long, 1.84 m wide and 1.65 m high for a wheelbase of 2.69 m. Good news however, the Cx goes from 0.31 in the past to 0.26, an improvement probably linked to the integration of flush door handle or even the full grille. Grille which also resumes its well-known hexagonal shape.
If the new Mini Cooper now ignores wheel arches dressed in black plastic, this is always the case for the Countryman, which must be equipped so as to get off the beaten track somewhat. We also find the black rocker panels which also give it character. Mini specifies moreover that said wheel arches are also larger to reinforce this impression of adventurer.
At the front, the light signature changes only subtly and, again, the changes are more pronounced at the rear. The optical blocks are new and the line changes towards a more refined style, probably again to limit the number of parts used necessary in the construction of the model.
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Two engines offered
The new variant of the Mini Countryman is also offered in two versions. The first, E, has a 150 kW electric motor, the equivalent of 204 hp, delivering a torque of 250 Nm. Mini announces a 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 170 km/h . The CountryMan SE All 4 version, more muscular, has a block of 230 kW or 313 hp for a torque of 494 Nm for a 0 to 100 km / h in 5.6 s and a maximum speed of 180 km / h.
The respective ranges are announced at 433 and 462 km without any precision on the capacities of the batteries. Mini, however, announces a charging power of up to 22 kW in AC and 130 kW in DC. Again, these are fairly standard powers, at least for fast charging, for such a vehicle whose prices, even if still not communicated, should position it among the premium models.
An up-to-date cabin
This is also what the interior of the Mini Countryman suggests, whose quality of assembly and finishes are impeccable. The style is very marked, even original with its vertical vents or the materials used, but the interior design has the merit of being in keeping with the outdoor adventurer look. Again, it’s a matter of taste, but our first impressions of it are quite positive.
The Countryman will be offered in a 5-door version to accommodate adult passengers in the rear more comfortably. If the legroom is not crazy, the exterior line of this SUV offers a nice space at the level of the head.
Note that the advertised load volume is 460 liters as a base and up to 1,450 liters when lowering row 2. Note also that the 40/20/40 configuration will allow you to slide a long object between the seats while having two passengers in the back. Convenient for ski trips, for example. Finally, the electric Countryman could tow up to 1200 kg, a nice performance.
At the time of writing these lines, Mini does not communicate any price. The first deliveries are expected for the second quarter of 2024. We will also have to wait to find out more about the other finishes such as Essential, Classic Favored or even John Cooper Works.
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