The next-generation Mini Countryman crossover is reportedly set to launch in certain markets in February next year and will have a choice of petrol or electric power, but no plug-in hybrid.
As reported by Autocar, the new Countryman will be larger than the outgoing model and kickstart an overhaul of the brand’s line-up.
The Chinese-built electric Mini Cooper will reportedly launch in May 2024 with the unrelated, UK-built combustion-powered Cooper following in July 2024.
The Chinese-built electric Aceman crossover will reportedly launch later in January 2025.
Autocar has detailed some of the electric powertrains ahead of the car’s imminent reveal.
The entry-level Mini Countryman E will reportedly have a power output of 140kW and be mated to a 54kWh battery, shared with the upcoming Mini Cooper SE and Aceman SE.
The Countryman SE will reportedly have a power output of 200kW and be mated to a larger 64kW battery, which is shared with the related BMW iX1.
There has been no word on the internal-combustion powertrains the Countryman will receive at this stage but it’s expected to receive the BMW X1’s three- and four-cylinder petrol engines. It could also receive a mild-hybrid petrol engine.
Mini told the British publication the electric Countryman variants will replace the soon-to-be-axed plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version.
Autocar also reports the new Countryman will be the only Mini model offered with all-wheel drive. It’ll be available in both electric and internal-combustion forms.
There will reportedly be hotter John Cooper Works (JCW) versions of the new Countryman in both electric and petrol-powered forms.
They’ll reportedly be differentiated with red brake calipers and quad exhaust outlets. The latter of these features isn’t expected on the electric version, naturally.
As recently reported, production of the third-generation Countryman will commence at the BMW Group’s Leipzig plant in Germany later this year.
It will be built on the same production line as the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series Gran Coupe and 2 Series Active Tourer.
The outgoing Mini Countryman is currently produced in the Netherlands for markets including Australia. It’s also produced in India, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The new Countryman is expected to be based on the BMW Group’s UKL2 platform that’s shared with all the above models, as well as the BMW X1 that’s produced at a different facility in Regensburg, Germany.
The last new Mini model with an internal-combustion engine will be released in 2025, and Mini says 50 per cent of its sales will be all-electric by 2027. Come 2030, every single Mini will be electric.
Based on previous updates from Mini, its next-generation model lineup will include the following cars:
- The Cooper three-door electric hatch, to be made in China in partnership with GWM.
- The Cooper three- and five-door petrol hatch, to be made in the UK.
- The Aceman electric crossover to be made in China in partnership with GWM.
- The Countryman SUV, grown up to take on the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA with petrol and electric power.
- Another premium compact car in an as-yet unrevealed segment, potentially based on the Vision Urbanaut concept.
- A new Convertible, due in 2025.
