Germany building new MINI Countryman
April 5, 2023
For the first time, MINI will be starting production of its Countryman model at the BMW Group Plant Leipzig plant in Germany this November.
As a stylish all-rounder and spacious everyday companion, the MINI Countryman continues the MINI brand’s product offensive of all-electric models.
With five doors and a variable-use interior, the largest model in the new MINI family of vehicles is leading the brand into an era of locally emission-free electromobility. With its optional all-wheel drive, the powerful adventurer also ensures safe and unbridled driving pleasure off the beaten track.
The first generation of the MINI Countryman was already an instant success for MINI, and from 2010 it expanded the model family to include a compact SUV vehicle with all-wheel drive, five doors and – for the first time in a MINI model – over four meters in length. In the first generation, the trunk of the versatile adventurer can be flexibly expanded from 370 litres to up to 1,170 litres thanks to the sliding and folding rear seat.
From 2017, the second-generation MINI Countryman featured the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 as the first plug-in hybrid MINI model to offer an additional 65 kW/88 hp electric motor on the rear axle.
The new generation of the largest MINI model is fully electric and locally emission-free. The MINI Countryman E delivers 140 kW/191 hp, whereas the MINI Countryman SE ALL4 is the brand’s first all-wheel-drive fully- electric vehicle. Two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles together generate an output of 230 kW/313 hp, including a temporary boost. The battery capacity is 64.7 kWh.
With an estimated range of around 450 kilometres, the MINI Countryman feels just as comfortable in city centres as on longer distances across the countryside. With the all-electric MINI Countryman, MINI is further expanding the proportion of electrified models. Every fifth MINI is already electric today.
Its length has increased by 13 centimetres to 4,429 mm, so the spacious car offers more room and comfort for its occupants. The height also grew by almost six centimetres to 1,613 mm resulting in extra headroom.
The new MINI Countryman combines locally emission-free electromobility with the greatest possible environmental compatibility in production as well. This includes dispensing with all decorative elements in the exterior and interior and manufacturing the cast light-alloy wheels from up to 70 per cent secondary aluminium. In combination with the use of green electricity in production, CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced compared with conventional manufacturing processes.
The surfaces of the dashboards, steering wheel, vehicle headliner and floor, and floor mats are made of recycled polyester obtained from PET bottles and carpet remnants. This high-quality, colourful and comfortable alternative to traditional materials reduces CO2 emissions along the value chain by up to 85 per cent and emphasises the focus on minimising the ecological footprint of the next MINI model generation.