Plug-in hybrid MINI imminent

BMW's British small-car brand MINI has almost completed the drawn-out introduction of its first plug-in hybrid model, based on the next-generation Countryman SUV.

More than five years after concluding the first field trials of the MINI E in the UK, stakeholders have announced that development has almost progressed through to the production phase.

“The series development process for this car has almost been completed,” the company said in a statement overnight, when it also released these images showing MINI brand management chief Sebastian Mackensen and MINI series management boss Peter Wolf with the car.

“It features a combustion engine and an electric motor enabling purely electric propulsion for the first time in a MINI. This marks the beginning of a new phase for MINI, and offers a glimpse into a future that is charged with excitement for MINI customers and those drivers yet to experience the thrill of a hybrid.”

MINI insists the landmark model, expected to be called the Countryman E, will retain the marque’s trademark handling characteristics while offering inherent efficiency not afforded by the current internal combustion-powered range.

The plug-in shares many of the styling characteristics of regular MINIs, differentiating itself slightly with a charging socket for the battery in the left side scuttle. The interior also bares strong resemblance to the rest of the MINI range.

“The start/stop button in the centre of the dashboard glows yellow instead of red. As usual, you simply press the button to start the car – this vehicle, however, remains silent as the hybrid model always starts in electric mode,” says the MINI release.

MINI says the plug-in will be capable of electric-only speeds of up to 125km/h. The car-maker has not yet provided details of the car’s electric range or its drivetrain, however, the Mini E trial car could be a good yardstick.

The prototype replaced the conventional MINI hatch’s rear seat with a 35kWh Li-ion battery pack comprising 5088 cells. It powered a front-mounted 150kW/220Nm electric motor. With a top speed of 153km/h, BMW officially claimed a range of 240km on the trial car, although it was quick to qualify this with a ‘realistic range’ figure of about 180km.

Expect the new Countryman to arrive Down Under in the second half of next year. It's not yet known whether the plug-in hybrid version will be offered here.