Electric SUV the race is gaining momentum with British brand Mini get into the action with the new Countryman SE ALL4. The company describes the new SUV as having a “robust design” and that it can handle any terrain thanks to its four-wheel drive system. The new Countryman continues electric car from Mini after it launched the all-electric Cooper SE a few years ago.
This new version of the Mini offers a range of 245-270 miles and can charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. Mini also opted for a minimalistic design for their new SUV, a nice change from some of the amazing SUVs already on the road.
The new Mini Countryman has two powerful electric motors
Transmission characteristics of the Mini Countryman SE ALL4
|
Producer |
BMW |
|
power |
313 hp |
|
A turning point |
364 lb-ft |
|
Configuration |
Dual electric motors |
|
The highest speed |
111 mph |
|
0-60 Time |
5.6 seconds |
|
Range |
245-270 miles |
|
fuel |
Electric |
Mini has used its current EV architecture for the new Countryman, with two powerful electric motors powering the SUV. Both have a combined output of 313 hp and 364 lb-ft of torque. This allows the Mini to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds, with a top speed of 111 mph, which is more than enough for daily driving. The 66.45kWh battery pack is claimed to give the SUV a range of around 245-270 miles.
That number should help ease any anxiety many drivers have about EV range. If you need a charge, the Countryman SE ALL4 charges to 80 percent from 10 percent in less than half an hour. A feature not every electric SUV has is the ability to streamline the vehicle’s charging process with the Mini app, and Mini says the app is easy to use and straightforward. The application allows you to finish charging before a certain time, and with the help of the application you can heat or cool the interior of the car.
To make the charging process even easier, the new SUV is equipped with the “Plug & Charge” system. Mini says this allows the Countryman to recognize public charging stations without additional permission. The system will also automatically start the charging process at the corresponding charging station. Finding a suitable place to charge an electric car can be difficult, so this will be a welcome addition and will likely bring comfort to the owner. It is the Countryman’s off-road capabilities that appear to be the most impressive aspect of the car.
Mini Countryman SE ALL4 is an all-wheel drive electric car
Mini Countryman SE ALL4 Sizes
- Length: 174.5 inches
- Width: 72.5 inches
- Height: 65.1 inches
The SE ALL4’s all-wheel-drive system allows it to handle “any-terrain traction on any surface,” according to Mini, meaning the Countryman SE ALL4 can tackle a wide variety of terrain thanks to its all-wheel drive. The Mini’s wider wheel arches emphasize its SUV appearance, and overall the model has grown compared to its petrol sibling. Wider arches should also provide more suspension travel for off-road wheels.
In the design of the SUV, Mini did not reinvent the wheel, but instead took a minimalist approach. The Countryman SE ALL4 still features the distinctive Mini grille and headlights, as well as the sculpted hood that has become synonymous with the modern Cooper. Mini has given the electric Countryman short overhangs and what it calls “subtle contours”, so unlike other SUVs, the SE ALL4 doesn’t look like an overly expressive car. Some design elements really make the Mini stand out, including its new 20-inch alloy wheels and stylish C-pillar design.
Aerodynamically, this is one of the most efficient Minis ever built. The manufacturer claims that the drag coefficient of the car is only 0.26, which allows for more efficient energy consumption and thus increases the range of the new Countryman. To put that impressive number into context, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a drag coefficient of just 0.21, but the Ioniq 5 is higher than the Mini’s at 0.28. Hinting that the Countryman SE will indeed be a very efficient electric car. On the outside, the Countryman SE is a very nice-looking electric car, with an elongated roofline and clear surfaces on the same level.
The Countryman SE is ready for Level 2 autonomous driving
Countryman SE ALL4 is equipped with assistance systems, including Driving Assistant Professional. Mini says it’s a first for a Mini to partially automate Level 2 driving on highway-like routes. Level 2 autonomous driving allows the driver to take their hands off the wheel at speeds above 40 mph, as long as they continue to monitor traffic closely and are ready to intervene if necessary. The system also detects gaps in traffic necessary for lane changes. The system will also adjust the Mini to the correct speed for these assisted lane changes.
Mini aims to become a pure electric car brand by the 2030s
Even though it’s under the BMW umbrella, Mini is still one of the smaller car brands on the market. But she has big ambitions plans to carry out full electrification by the early 2030s and plans to phase out ICE-powered cars by 2025. Mini recently showed us just how bold it is with the new Aceman concept, a concept car with interesting design elements such as a flat radiator panel that lights up and displays different colors.
Price comparison
|
Mini Cooper SE |
Mini Countryman SE |
Tesla Model 3 |
Tesla Model Y |
Volvo EX30 |
|
|
Price |
33,900 USD |
45,200 USD |
$38,990 |
$43,990 |
$34,950 |
|
Range |
110 miles |
245-270 miles |
272 miles |
260 miles |
275 miles |
(Prices and range specifications obtained from respective manufacturers prior to promotion)
The current Mini Cooper SE is currently the best car in the range and one of the best electric city cars on the market. It has a range of 110 miles and its front-wheel-drive electric motor delivers 181 hp. and 199 lb-ft of torque. Although the assortment is not remarkable, then It’s hard to ignore the Cooper SE’s $33,900 price without incentives. Compared to the Tesla and Volvo EX30, the current Cooper SE EV was the cheapest, but also had the shortest range. The new Mini Countryman SE looks much more competitive with improved performance and range. However, this comes at a price, with a starting MSRP for the 2025 Mini Countryman SE of $45,200. Mini has yet to announce a release date, but the Mini US website is currently accepting pre-orders.
Source: Mini, BMW, Tesla, Volvo