Motoring

Prices revealed as Mini formally debuts all-new Countryman

Ahead of its public launch this week, Mini parent company, BMW, has released pricing of the all-new third generation Countryman.

Mini line-up

Spanning four models, the range includes mild-hybrid and conventional petrol engine options, as well as the first-time electric in the shape of the Cooper SE.

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Kicking the range off, the Countryman C takes over from the Cooper with outputs of 125kW/280Nm from its turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine.

Sans the 48-volt hybrid system, which adds 14 kW for short burst, the front-wheel-drive only C will get from 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 212 km/h.

*_{Replacing the Cooper as base model is the new Countryman C. Image: Mini}*

As a result of Mini’s eschewing of the manual gearbox in preparation for its complete electric transition by 2030, the Countryman C’s sole transmission option is an eight-speed Steptronic torque-converter automatic.

Opening the Countryman’s performance line-up, the Cooper S carries over the mild-hybrid hardware, but affixed to the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 160kW/360Nm on its own.

*_{Countryman’s interior adopts a minimalist layout, though all models receive the OLED roundel infotainment system as standard. Image: Mini}*

Hooked to a recalibrated Steptronic box, with drive going to all four wheels, the Countryman Cooper S will get from 0-100 km/h in seven seconds and hit a top speed of 230 km/h.

Introduced as the newest Countryman derivative in November 2023, the John Cooper Works (JCW) not only tops the performance range, but also omits the electrified system entirely.

*_{John Cooper Works once again headlines the performance Countryman range. Image: Mini}*

Although shared with the Cooper S, the JCW’s outputs increase to the same 233kW/400Nm as in the BMW X2 M35i, which translates to a top speed of 250 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.

Positioned as the new flagship Countryman model, the electric variant debuts in Cooper SE guise only and therefore without the entry-level Cooper E sold in Europe.

*_{All-electric Cooper SE tops the Countryman range for the first time in South Africa. Image: Mini}*

Motivated by a 64.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack driving an electric motor on each axle, which automatically makes its all-wheel-drive, the Cooper SE develops 230kW/494Nm. This is the most of any Countryman, which means a limited top speed of 180 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.

Supporting DC charging up to 130 kW, the Cooper SE comes standard with an 11 kW on-board charger, though utilising the former sees the required waiting time from 10-80% drop to 30 minutes. The claimed range is 462 km.

Known spec

Longer and wider than the previous model, all Countryman variants are fitted as standard with the 9.4-inch OLED roundel infotainment system, the digital instrument cluster, sport seats trimmed in a number of materials, alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20-inches, dual-zone climate control and the new multi-function steering wheel.

Price

As before, the Countryman’s sticker prices include a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan and an eight-year/195 000 km battery warranty in the case of the Cooper SE.