Mini launches China-built electric hatchback and new Countryman EV

Mini has launched two new full-electric models as it moves closer to becoming an all-EV brand by 2030.

The Mini Cooper E/SE small hatchback and Mini Countryman compact SUV were unveiled on Friday.

Both models will be seen in public for the first time at the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich from Sept. 5 to 14.

The three-door Mini Cooper will replace the current battery-electric version of the Mini hatchback.

The car will be built in China, Mini said. The current Mini Electric (badged as the Cooper SE in the U.S.) is built at Mini’s plant in Oxford, England, alongside the combustion-engine Mini, which will continue to be sold ahead of a replacement due next year.

The new Mini Cooper E and the higher specced SE version are based on an electric platform developed by the Spotlight Automotive joint venture between BMW and China’s Great Wall.

It will be badged as the Mini Cooper in all global markets, a change from previous generations where Cooper was an engine derivative.

The Cooper E uses a 41-kilowatt-hour battery to give a range of 305 km (190 miles), while the SE has a larger 54-kWh battery for a range of 402 km as measured on the WLTP test cycle, Mini said.

Power for the E is 184 hp, rising to 218 hp for the SE. The SE accelerates from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 6.7 seconds.

Charging speeds using direct current are 75 kW for the Cooper E and 95 kW for the Cooper SE.

Bigger Countryman

The Countryman, which has two variants badged E and the higher-specced SE ALL4, has grown in size compared with the current combustion-engine model to move it into the compact SUV category from the small crossover segment. The length of the car is now 4433 mm compared with 4299 mm for the previous-generation model.

The new electric Countryman shares its platform with the BMW iX1 compact EV and will be built alongside the iX1 in BMW’s plant in Leipzig, Germany.

Mini has said previously the Countryman will also be sold with combustion engines.

The entry Countryman E produces 204 hp from a single electric motor and has a range of 462 km. The SE ALL4 adds a second e-motor to increase power to 313 hp.

The extra power cuts the 0 to 100 kph sprint time to 5.6 seconds from 8.6 seconds. The range of the SE drops to 433 km.

No battery size was given but the related BMW iX1 has a useable battery size of 64.7 kWh.

Charging speeds using direct current are 130 kW for the Countryman.

Charismatic Simplicity

Both the Cooper and Countryman feature Mini's new Charismatic Simplicity design language, which the brand says presents a purer look with less distraction.

The design includes flush door handles for a smoother body styling, while retaining longtime Mini attributes including short overhangs and a long wheelbase.

The two cars have a new centrally located round digital screen measuring 240 mm in diameter. Different so-called experience modes change the look of the screen as well as switching between different ambient colors around the car.

Mini has applied different textures including woven textiles to the interior to give a more modern look as it moves away from leather and chrome. All textiles and yarns for the seats are made from recycled materials while leather has been replaced by Vescin artificial leather.

Mini sold 98,788 units of its three-door hatchback in Europe last year, according to Dataforce. Of these, 34,863 were Mini Electric models. The brand sold 43,910 Countrymans, of which 14,265 were plug-in hybrids. The plug-in hybrid version will be discontinued.

Aceman debuts next year

Mini’s product lineup will grow to three models next year with the arrival of the Aceman small electric SUV. The Aceman will debut in April, the company said.

The shift to electric was made in response to demand from customers, Stefanie Wurst, head of the Mini brand, said in a statement.

“The new family is tailor-made for urban target groups all around the world,” she added.