SPY VIDEO: New MINI Countryman goes hybrid

MINI's next-generation Countryman crossover has emerged in fresh spy video and photos, proving it will be the first model from BMW's city-car brand to come with plug-in hybrid power.

Unlike this pre-production prototype shot during cold-weather testing in the snow, the camouflaged Countryman you see in this first spy video of the new-generation MINI SUV wears a sticker saying 'hybrid test vehicle'.

Although it's clearly an evolution of the current Countryman, the recent release of the MINI 5-Door hatch appears to have given the British brand more cause to differentiate the redesigned five-door crossover.

The more daring MkII Countryman is not only larger, but features more prominent wheel-arches and more body-cladding than before, while retaining key MINI design cues like rounded headlights flanking a chromed grille, and a floating roof above a wrap-around windscreen.

Like all new MINIs, the Countryman rides on the BMW Group's latest UKL1 front/all-wheel drive platform, first seen under the MkIII Mini Cooper and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

The Countryman PHEV is likely to share the latter's plug-in hybrid powertrain, incorporating an electric motor to power the rear wheels when required, in addition to a small-capacity turbo-petrol engine driving the front wheels.

While the electric motor should offer about 75kW and 250Nm, the circa-100kW/200Nm petrol engine will combine to deliver total outputs of up to 180kW/450Nm in the Countryman Hybrid.

So far only the three- and five-door hatchbacks have emerged on the new UKL platform, but also expect it to form the basis of new Clubman, Cabriolet and Paceman models, plus a two-seater based on the Superleggera Concept to replace the Roadster and Coupe, and even a sedan.

Once again there'll be the full gamut of Countryman variants on sale from next year – all powered by BMW's latest three-cylinder turbo-petrol and diesel engines – including the Cooper, S, SD, PHEV and John Cooper Works.