Contrary to the MINI name and ethos, the new Countryman SUV is set to grow in size for 2024 with petrol and full EV models in the works.
- Similar in size to Mercedes GLA
- Mild-hybrid and fully electric powertrains
- Due on sale in 2024
It looks as though the MINI Countryman – originally slated for release in 2023 – will debut at September’s Munich Motor Show. It will then go on sale in February 2024, firstly as a petrol model, then followed by a fully electric version in May of the same year.
The electric version will be a first for the next-generation MINI Countryman’s lineup, and the small SUV will also be the first ever MINI to be built solely in Germany, at BMW’s Leipzig factory. All versions of the Countryman will sit on the same platform as the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series and X1 and X2 SUVs.
While official specs have yet to be released, many of the electric BMW iX1’s components are likely to be shared with the electric Countryman, meaning prospective buyers can expect a 64.7kWh battery capable of a 280-mile electric range. Charging speeds of up to 130kW should allow a top-up from 10% to 80% in around half-an-hour.
Combustion-engined versions of the Countryman will likely make use of the 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre petrol units produced by BMW, with SE and four-wheel-drive ALL4 trim levels likely to be offered. Expect around 134bhp from the 1.5-litre version with a potential 168bhp mild-hybrid version.
The BMW X1 SUV already uses a 2.0-litre mild-hybrid setup producing around 215bhp which could make its way into the Countryman. Stefanie Wurst, head of MINI, has also confirmed that performance John Cooper Works versions of the entire MINI lineup could also join the range. This model could get a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 302bhp – we can expect an even quicker 0-62mph time compared with the current car’s 5.1-second figure.
Spy shots have given us the biggest clues yet as to how the new MINI Countryman will look, ands porty Cooper S models should get design tweaks to make them stand out. The MINI Countryman will be larger than the outgoing model by around 100mm, to rival the likes of the Audi Q3, the Volvo XC40 and BMW’s own X1. A smaller electric MINI Aceman SUV will sit below it in the range. That increased size will boost interior space in the Countryman and allow for a larger boot than the outgoing car’s.
Though its larger proportions may suggest otherwise, the new Countryman’s design will still be unmistakably MINI. While its overall silhouette isn’t drastically different to the outgoing car, the rear will get a new roof spoiler, up to four exhaust tips, and a new set of tail-lights. The side profile of the new Countryman will appear much the same as the current car, with plastic body cladding to give off a more rugged aesthetic.
While there is little information regarding the new Countryman’s interior, we can once again expect it to be similar in style to the 2023 MINI hatch. This will see a much more minimalist approach than the current car, with few physical buttons. The brand’s trademark circular dashboard will return in the form of a large touchscreen, no doubt running an adapted version of BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system.
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Keyword: New MINI Countryman to get fully electric version for the first time