Mini is set to reveal its third-generation Countryman crossover imminently, confirming production will commence at the BMW Group’s Leipzig plant in Germany later this year.
This new-generation Mini Countryman will be the first vehicle from the brand to be manufactured in Germany.
It will be built on the same production line at the Leipzig plant 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 based on the BMW Group’s UKL2 platform that’s shared with all of the above models, as well as the BMW X1 that’s produced at a different facility in Regensburg, Germany.
As previously reported, the new Mini Countryman will be larger than the current model and will offer both internal-combustion and all-electric powertrains.
It’s expected the next-generation Countryman will share powertrains with the latest BMW X1.
In Australia the X1 is available with a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine producing 100kW of power and 230Nm of torque, and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW and 300Nm.
There’s also the electric iX1 which is currently only available with a dual-electric motor all-wheel drive setup producing total system outputs of 230kW and 494Nm. It’s hooked up to a 65kWh battery pack.
In other markets the BMW X1 is available with a mild-hybrid petrol, two turbo-diesel, and two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains.
It’s unclear what powertrains the next-generation Mini Countryman will receive at this stage, but Mini is getting ready to move away from internal-combustion engines entirely.
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 classic 3-Door Hatch, available with petrol and electric power. It’s expected to be smaller than the current car.
- The Aceman electric SUV to slot between the 3-Door Hatch and Countryman.
- 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.
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