Initially, only the top-spec Cooper SE will be sold locally. Image: Mini
Having debuted the all-electric, all-new Mini Countryman at the beginning of last month, parent company, BMW, has officially approved it for South Africa in 2024.
Shown to the public for the first time at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich in August, the third generation Countryman, known internally as the F60, will debut in the second quarter of next year in top-spec, all-wheel-drive Cooper SE guise only.
Likely to be supplemented at a later stage by the still-to-be-seen petrol derivative, the confirmation of the SE means output figures of 230kW/494Nm made by a pair of electric motors on each axle powered by a 64.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
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With all four wheels gripping, the Countryman Cooper SE will get from 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 180 km/h.
Although fitted with an 11 kW on-board charger as standard, the SE support DC charging up to 130 kW, which, according to BMW, requires a waiting time of 30 minutes from 10-80%. The claimed range is 462 km.
For now, it seems unlikely that the entry-level, front-wheel-drive Cooper E will be availed as no mentioning of it was made.
Billed as a “powerful and reliable companion with all-terrain traction on any surface” by BMW South Africa, the Countryman Cooper SE measures 4 433 mm long, 1 843 mm wide and 1 656 mm tall while riding on a wheelbase of 2 692 mm.
As before, seating is for five with boot space ranging from 460-litres to 1 450-litres with the 60/40 split rear seat folded down.
Made at the former i3 and i8 plant in Leipzig, South African-market specification wasn’t disclosed, though expect the new 9.4-inch OLED infotainment system to feature, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a broad selection of materials and colours, plus the optional Head-Up Display and driver assistance systems that adhere to Level 2 autonomous driving capability.
A key model for Mini as it moves towards becoming fully electric before 2030, pricing for the Countryman is only expected next year, but expect a significant premium over the outgoing combustion engine models presently priced from R645 286 to R918 644.
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