The 2017 Mini Countryman is now available and it comes in a plug-in hybrid version. The new Countryman will be launched at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November.
According to CNET, the new Mini Countryman comes in two different engines in gas-only trims. The Cooper employs a 1.5-liter turbocharged I3 with a horsepower of 134 plus 162 pound-feet of torque. The Cooper S, meanwhile, is even more powerful with 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque.
The hybrid Mini runs on 7.6-kWh battery which can power the vehicle through 24 miles at a maximum speed of 77 mph.
Topgear shares that the Mini Countryman's propulsion is the same with the BMW 225xe. It has a three-cylinder 136bhp petrol Mini Cooper engine at the front. The wheels at the back use the 88bhp single-gear electric motor. It also has a six-speed autobox.
The Countryman is actually bigger than the normal Mini. In fact its bigger width groups it with the BMW UKL2 platform. Because of its larger built, there is more legroom inside. The cargo space is 30 percent larger than the previous Mini. The Cooper S also comes with larger alloy wheels.
The interior is not only more spacey but also fancier. The toggle switches are still present while new features in the hybrid version include a hidden charging port located on the fender scuttle behind the driver. There are also more S badging and an improved infotainment system.
You can find the battery of the new Mini right under the back seat. The fuel tank, which is also under the back seat, can only carry 35 liters because of how and where it was placed. Suffice to say, long distance travels may be troublesome unless you stock up on fuel.
The gas-powered version of the all-new Mini Countryman will start selling in March 2017. The hybrid, meanwhile, will be available in June.
