New Mini Countryman EV teased: here in 2024
Mini has issued images of its first electric SUV, which will be based on the third generation Countryman and go into production late in 2023.
The Mini Countryman SE, as it is expected to be called in Australia, is also tipped to be the most expensive Mini sold here, with pricing around $80,000 when it arrives in 2024.
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The next generation Countryman will also be the first Mini to be built in Germany, the homeland of parent BMW.
It will roll off the assembly line in Leipzig alongside BMW models based on the FAAR platform, most importantly the iX1 with which the Countryman BEV is expected to share powertrains.
In Europe, the iX1 xDrive30 EV has a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain producing a combined 239kW/494NM, making it good for 0-100km/h in 5.6sec and the most powerful Mini ever.
A 64.7kWh (usable) battery under the floor provides a claimed range up to 440km and can be charged at rates of up to 130kW for a 10-80 percent top-up in 29 minutes.
The new Countryman will offer ICE drivetrains shared with the BMW X1 as well as BEV, but is expected to drop plug-in hybrid power.
It is expected to be as much as 200mm longer than the current Countryman at more than 4.5m, making it the biggest production Mini.
The Countryman SE signals Mini’s acceleration toward becoming an all-electric brand by 2030. At the moment it only offers an electric Mini hatch in Australia.
