Mini Countryman Electric arrives in North America
Electric cars and Climate Week – it's like peanut butter and jelly, a match made in heaven. So, when Mini decided to parade its all-new electric Countryman during Climate Week in New York City, no one batted an eye. This was the electric SUV's North American debut, following its official introduction in Germany. The fanfare is not just because it's an electric Mini, but also because it promises a lot.
Mini has been many things: iconic, small, zippy. Yet, electric wasn’t high on that list. Yes, we've seen the Cooper SE and there are murmurs of the upcoming Aceman. Still, with the unveiling of the 2024 Countryman Electric on September 1, 2023, at IAA Mobility in Germany, Mini solidified its intent to join the electric revolution.
It's ironic in a way. The Countryman, Mini's most sizable model, stands as a subcompact SUV. A juxtaposition, as while it’s the largest in the Mini lineup, it is the tiniest SUV in its segment. Since its original launch in 2010, the Countryman underwent aesthetic changes and a second-gen revamp in 2017. Yet, it took over a decade for an electric variant to see the light of day. Not that we're pointing fingers, but, you know, better late than never?
The Countryman's US introduction wasn’t some quiet affair. It took center stage at Newlab in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The event echoed Mini’s commitment to sustainability, with URBAN-X panels, a platform Mini founded in 2016, dedicated to collaborating with startups to hatch tech solutions for a greener planet.
The third-generation Countryman Electric stands longer, wider, and taller than any of its Mini predecessors. In American measurements, that's about 174.5 inches in length, 72.6 inches in width, and 65.2 inches in height. Its wheelbase stretches to about 105.9 inches. These are unchanged from the European dimensions (4,433 mm x 1,843 mm x 1,656 mm and 2,692 mm wheelbase).
The vehicle offers two trims for consumers:
| Model | Mini Countryman E | Mini Countryman SE ALL4 |
| Power | 204 hp (150 kW) | 313 hp (230 kW) |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 364 lb-ft |
| Range (estimate) | 287 miles | 269 miles |
| 0 - 62 mph | 8.6 seconds | 5.6 seconds |
| Top speed | 106 mph | 111 mph |
Though pricing remains a mystery, one tidbit that stands out is the Countryman Electric's production location. For the first time, a Mini will roll off German assembly lines, contrasting with other models manufactured in the UK.
As for when you can park this electric beauty in your driveway? Look to the fall of 2024. Mini's electric vision for the future seems promising.
Reader comments
- Anonymous
I'm no Mini fan and this cars styling is not really my cup of tea, but that round LED screen is very cool.
- 20 Sep 2023
- Hxy