Colourful almost candy-esque teaser images doesn't provide any new aesthetic hints of what resides underneath the wrapper. Image: Mini
Having commenced teasing the all-new Mini Countryman last month, the iconic British marque’s parent company, BMW, has released more disguised images, but also crucially, outputs of the first ever all-electric derivative.
The first Mini to be build in Germany, in this case, the former i3 and i8 plant in Leipzig, the electric Countryman will follow the example of the new Cooper and carry the Cooper E or Cooper S E monikers.
Both will replace the current plug-in hybrid model and derive motivation from a 64.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that powers a single electric motor in the Cooper E and a dual units on the all-wheel-drive Cooper S E.
More than a likely a preview of what the regular Cooper E and Cooper S E hatch can look forward to, in the Countryman Cooper E, the former delivers outputs of 140 kW and in the Cooper S E, 230 kW with Mini reporting a range of 450 km for the latter.
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In addition, it also revealed an increase in overall length by 130 mm to 4 429 mm and 60 mm more inside. The unsighted, so far, interior itself is also unique as Mini has dropped the usual assortment of decorative inserts as a result of the actual body being made out of 70% secondary steel in order to reduce emissions associated with the building process.
What’s more, recycled polyester from plastic bottles features in the construction of the steering wheel, the surface of the dashboard, roofliner, floor and floor mats.
Despite the latest batch of spy images showing the Countryman testing on a rain soaked Nürburgring Nordschleife not revealing any new exterior details, what is known is that the electric models will take preference over the combustion derivatives ahead of the Mini brand heading towards an all-electric future by 2030.
Unlike the Mini Cooper hatch, and also the new BMW 3 Series, the Countryman is not expected to make use of a dual platform setup, or benefit from assistance from Great Wall Motors (GWM) on the EV front.
What is will have though is mild-hybrid assistance on all combustion models, which will linger only until the end of 2025 as the year corresponds with Mini’s apparent phasing-out of all non-electric vehicle sales despite the 2030 target.
Apart from the Cooper E and Cooper S E, the conventional Cooper S and John Cooper Works models will initially be offered, but not the current diesel engine Cooper D or sportier Cooper SD.
As indicated last month, the initial and latest teaser points an imminent unveiling, though no date has yet been revealed or even leaked.
Once out, expect BMW South Africa to make an official announcement regarding Countryman availability, which could potentially happen before the end of the year.
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