MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid arrives

The German-owned, British-based premium small car brand MINI has confirmed its first electrified vehicle for Australia for under $60,000.

As reported, the MINI Countryman PHEV has been in Australia for a short time already as part of a soft-launch to get bums on seats to test drive the vehicle.

MINI has now confirmed the price of the MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid, $57,200.

The compact SUV can drive up to 40km using only its small synchronous electric motor (65kW/165Nm), which is backed up by a 7.6kWh Lithium-ion battery pack.

When the EV juice runs out the car’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine (100kW/220Nm) chimes in and runs the vehicle like a normal car, extending range another 600 kilometres, give or take.

The hybrid powertrain has been dubbed 'eDrive' and while the petrol and electric motors can run independently, they can work in tandem as well, with a combined output of 165kW and 385Nm.

That sort of grunt provides the MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid with a respectable 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.9 seconds, which is on par with the sporty MINI Countryman Cooper S, a $48,900 proposition.

MINI claims it takes just over three hours to completely charge the plug-in hybrid MINI Countryman's battery when hooked up to a regular household power point. That time drops to just over two hours if you get a MINI Wallbox.

Fuel economy (NEDC) is claimed to be 2.1L/100km with CO2 emissions of 49g/km. By comparison Australia's best-known hybrid, the Toyota Prius, manages 3.4L/100km and 80g/km on the same test cycle.

The MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid's petrol engine is hooked up to a six-speed auto that drives the front wheels, while the electric motor drives the rear axle via a two-stage single-speed transmission.

First launched in Europe in June, 2017, the MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV, can reach speeds of up to 125km/h using when the eDrive system is toggled to MAX mode. In AUTO mode the EV propulsion tops out at 80km/h to improve range, but the combined engine top speed is 199km/h.

The third mode is SAVE BATTERY which uses only the petrol engine but can recharge the battery up to 90 per cent.

Despite the fitment of a battery pack, MINI claims the Countryman PHEV's luggage space is 'notable' with a 405-litre cargo capacity, which is down from 450 litres in regular models. The rear seats will still fold down, opening up 1275 litres of space.

Available in just one model grade, standard features on the 2019 MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid model include 18-inch alloy wheels, several 'e' hybrid badges, body-coloured roof and mirror caps, satin silver roof rails and side skirt mouldings. Together with flared wheel arches, an integrated roof spoiler and chrome exhaust outlet, it provides the car with a butch look.

Equipment levels are fairly generous, with LED headlights and MINI logo projections as standard, plus leather-accented sports seats, a three-spoke leather steering wheels, velour floor mats, grey headlining, a powered tailgate, adaptive interior LED mood lighting, twin USB ports, Apple CarPlay via an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen and wireless phone charging.

Digital radio is fitted, as are six airbags, adaptive cruise control with stop and go traffic function, low speed autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, front and rear parking sensors and a speed limit information system.

Despite the green-car shift, MINI has not given up on its performance car offerings, with the MINI GP model expected to pump out a Civic Type R-rivalling 225kW when it drops in 2020.

All sides of Australian politics are quarrelling about green-car initiatives but for better or worse the spotlight is now well and truly on low emission vehicles.

There's even talk of EV car assembly returning to Australia. Although EVs only make up a tiny 0.2 per cent of the Australian new car market today, there's more discussion about government subsidies and initiatives to promote the sale of hybrids and EVs.

"The MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid is the first step in what will be an exciting journey into the world of MINI future mobility," declared MINI Australia general manager, Brett Waudby, with full EV models using BMW 'i' technology tipped to be offered soon.

The MINI Countryman PHEV's battery pack has a six-year, 100,000km warranty, while the car is backed by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

A capped-price service program (of sorts) is offered by way of the MINI Service Inclusive package, which is available in Basic and Plus guises and covers the cars servicing for five years or 80,000km.

How much is the MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid?
Countryman 1.5 2WD – $41,900
Countryman 2.0 D 2WD – $45,900
Countryman 2.0 S 2WD – $48,900
Countryman 2.0 SD AWD – $53,900
Countryman Plug-in Hybrid 1.5 AWD – $57,200
Countryman 2.0 JCW AWD – $59,900

(Not including on-road costs)