Mini’s next-generation SUV, the Countryman, will be the first to offer an all-electric version. According to CEO Stefanie Wurst, the Mini Countryman Electric will arrive in February 2024. It will be the first of three all-electric models, along with the Cooper Electric hatchback, Aceman crossover, and Aceman crossover. This will revolutionize the brand’s lineup.
2024 Mini Countryman EV Review
Autocar attended a preview event where she revealed details about the powertrain and styling, as well as other information about the all-electric 2024 Countryman. Mini will increase the size of the Countryman to make room for the Aceman electric crossover. This is to keep customers from requiring larger vehicles.
The new Mini Countryman, which shares the FAAR platform and the third-generation BMW X1 (and the iX1 BEV variant), will look very different from the current model. It will have a squarer front, wider front and rear overhangs, and a rugged exterior. The Cooper Electric and Aceman will share similar front ends, with angular interpretations of Mini’s new bulbous headlights.
Mini’s CEO stated that the Countryman E base model will have 54-kilowatt hours and the Countryman SE will have 64 kWh. The E model, which is the entry-level, will be powered by 188 horsepower, and the SE 268 hp by a dual motor AWD setup. The Countryman will continue to be the Mini’s only model with four-wheel drive. The 2025 Aceman will have FWD. The 2024 Countryman Electric will replace the Mini Countryman PHEV. However, it is not yet confirmed that the electric model will have a comparable maximum WLTP range to the BMW iX1.
The Mini Countryman EV will get a JCW performance variant that offers more power and sharper styling cues. Beginning in 2023, the next-generation Mini Countryman, which will include both BEV and combustion-powered versions, will be produced at BMW Group’s Leipzig facility in Germany. It will be the first Mini model entirely made in Germany, earning it the title of “The First Mini Model to Be Produced In Germany.”
High-voltage batteries will also be produced at the plant’s production facilities. The BMW Group announced recent investments of over $840 million (800 million euros) in Leipzig to increase production capacities for component production. Future production will be on 37 acres (150,000 sq. m) and the plant will employ more than 1,000 people by 2024.
New Design
The MINI Aceman concept will be a major inspiration for the next-generation MINI Countryman. This is a preview for a future MINI crossover that will sit between the Countryman and Hatch (Cooper). The MINI brand’s new design language, “Charismatic Simplicity,” is displayed in this concept.
Countryman’s next-generation model will keep the retro-style look. It features a hexagonal grille and rectangular main light cluster. A cleaner bumper design and a subtler lower grille. You can see the increase in size through the larger doors and rear quarter windows. MINI uses flush-fitting handles on its doors to improve efficiency and airflow. The spy photo at the rear shows the relocated license plate area (bumper rather than tailgate) on the new model.
Recent spy photos show the Countryman Electric’s prototype undergoing winter trials. The Countryman Electric is shown in bright neon camouflage. The test mule was seen with five-spoke, matte-finished alloy wheels. These could be production-ready full-LED taillights with tall profiles and black roof rails. There is also what appears to have been a panoramic sunroof hidden using temporary camouflage.
In 2023, the BMW Group’s next-generation Countryman will adopt light-alloy wheels made of 70% secondary aluminum. These wheels can be made with 100% renewable power and 70% secondary materials, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 30% compared to traditional production methods. BMW Group will begin casting aluminum wheels with 100% green power starting in 2024 for all MINI (and BMW models. This is just one of many measures taken by BMW Group to reduce emissions in its Supplier network. It will be 20% lower than the levels in 2019 by the end.
Interior
The interior of the next-gen MINI Countryman has been partially revealed by spy photos. The first-ever MINI Countryman Electric should also look the same inside. The new crossover dashboard features a minimalistic design with an oblong digital instrument cluster and a large circular touchscreen. The interior feels familiar and traditional MINI thanks to the signature switches located on the center console. One switch is for “Experiences”, possibly to select one of the drive modes.
Specifications
Bernd Korber, then-head MINI, told Auto Express in 2020 that the Countryman would move half a section higher with the redesign of its third generation. It will be positioned in the BMW X1 (compact or compact) class. The Countryman will continue to grow as it moves to the next generation. This will make enough room for the MINI Aceman.
Dimensions
CNET reported that Adrian van Hooydonk (Head of BMW Group Design) and Oliver Heilmer (Head of MINI Design) have confirmed that the MINI Countryman will be growing as it moves to its third generation. Helmer stated that customers have suggested that the crossover might be slightly larger. The Mk2 Countryman is 169.7 inches long, 71.7 inches wide, 61.3 inches high, and has a 105.1-inch wheelbase.
According to the auto motor and Sport, the next-generation MINI Countryman will be 4.42 meters long (174.0 inches). This would be a significant increase of 4.3 inches over second-gen U.S.-spec models, which will result in more legroom and knee room and greater cargo volume. The MINI Countryman’s character will be redesigned to look more like an SUV rather than a crossover.
Longer Wheelbase
Autocar’s March 2022 report stated that the next-gen Countryman could be 200mm (7.9 inches) longer than its current model (2,670mm, or 105.1 inches). In addition to making it easier for passengers and luggage to move around, the longer distance between the axles could allow for more space for large batteries under the cabin floor. This would also make it possible for the vehicle to have a wider range.
Performance and range
The new multi-energy FAAR platform will be the basis of the next-gen MINI Countryman. This platform is an updated version of the current model’s UKL platform. This skateboard is not intended for electric cars, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, or Mercedes EQS. The range of the Volvo XC40 Recharge is 514 km (319 mi), while the Mercedes EQA has a range of 531 km (330 mi) with a full charge. The MINI Countryman Electric should be able to travel 500km (311 miles) in range-focused configurations. This is competitive. All range figures are in WLTP.
According to the auto motor and Sport, the MINI Countryman Electric will come in E and SE versions. The Countryman Electric E will be equipped with a 54 kWh battery and a 140kW powertrain. The Countryman SE will come with a 64.8kWh battery and a 200kW powertrain. We expect the EPA-est. The former’s WLTP range is approximately 440 km (273 mi). The range will be around 220 miles. Please note that neither MINI nor BMW Group have confirmed Countryman Electric’s U.S. release.
Production
The production of the third-generation MINI Countryman will begin in 2023 in Leipzig (Saxony), Germany. This MINI model will mark the first time that a MINI has been made in the home country of the BMW Group. The prototype photos in this article’s design section were taken at the domestic plant. Customers upgrading from the second-gen Countryman model may be able to find a third-gen model with better quality due to German production.
The Countryman is the second-most popular MINI model, selling 82,363 units in 2021. The brand could see a greater contribution to its sales volume with more space and an electric powertrain in the 3rd generation. BMW Group has not disclosed the total global sales for 2022. However, it revealed that U.S. sales were 9.1% less year-over-year at 9,489 units (compared to 10,440 units in 2021).
2024 Mini Countryman EV Release Date
Auto Express reported that the next-generation MINI Countryman, which is powered by gasoline, will be unveiled at IAA 2023 in September 2023. However, the MINI Countryman Electric will make its debut in May 2024. According to the investor presentation of BMW Group, on March 15th, 2023, the electric model would arrive in Q1 2024 (January-March 2020). MINI Countryman Electric will be available in global dealerships by the Summer of 2024. MINI chief Stefanie Wurst stated that the next-gen Countryman will “definitely help” the U.S. company. This is based on the model’s larger dimensions which should increase its appeal there. However, we are still waiting for confirmation of the U.S. launch for the Countryman Electric model.
According to MotoringFile’s February 2023 report, production of Countryman Electric’s SE variant is expected to begin in March 2024. The table also includes the U25 EV Countryman, which is the second zero-emission variant. According to the same story, the combustion-engined Countryman model will be the first to go on the production line in November 2023. MotoringFile says that MINI may bring the Countryman EV pure-electric to the U.S. MotoringFile says that while BMW has not yet made plans to launch the iX1 here, the Countryman EV is more affordable and aimed at a slightly different audience.