The upcoming all-electric Mini Countryman has been captured without any camouflage during what appears to be a video shoot in the US.
These latest photos of the next-generation Countryman follow the ones of the new Mini Cooper EV during a similar promotional shoot.
This particular Countryman appears to be a top-spec all-electric SE variant due to the All4 and yellow S badges, signifying all-wheel drive and electrification, respectively.
The Mini Countryman SE is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup producing a total system output of 230kW of power and 494Nm of torque.
This is hooked up to a 64.7kWh battery pack with an estimated range of “around” 450km, according to an undisclosed testing standard.
It’s worth noting this is the exact same powertrain and battery set-up as the BMW iX1 xDrive30.
There’s also going to be an entry-level Countryman E variant powered by a single electric motor producing 140kW. This is understood to be mated to a 54kWh battery, which will be shared with the upcoming Mini Cooper SE and Aceman SE.
In addition to the two electric variants, there will be petrol-powered variants, but no plug-in hybrid.
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 with potential mild-hybridisation.
The new-generation Mini Countryman is 13cm longer than the outgoing model at 4429mm long, with evolutionary styling that features a prominent rear overhang with thinner tail lights that still have the Union Jack lighting signature.
The dashboard, steering wheel, headliner, floor and floor mats will be made of recycled polyester obtained from PET bottles and carpet remnants.
Another Countryman camouflaged prototype was recently spied in Europe being benchmarked against the Smart #1 electric crossover.
As previously reported, the new Countryman will kickstart an overhaul of the brand’s line-up, with the Chinese-built Mini Cooper EV, UK-built combustion-powered Cooper, and Chinese-built Aceman crossover following.
Production of the third-generation Countryman will commence at the BMW Group’s Leipzig plant in Germany in November 2023.
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 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, ever 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.
