MINI has unveiled its new Cooper and Countryman fashions on the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) in Munich this week, the duo slated to hitch the city-sized Aceman electrical SUV when it arrives in Australian showrooms this time subsequent yr.
The Countryman SUV shall be Mini’s first German-made mannequin whereas the Cooper rides on underpinnings developed along side China’s GWM, with electrical cabriolet, three-door hatch and five-door hatch variations to be manufactured in Zhangjiagang, China in parallel to inside combustion variants that may proceed to be produced on the Mini facility in Oxford, UK.
Providing each inside combustion (ICE) and battery electrical (BEV) powertrains as a part of an in depth transforming of the 64-year-old model, the ICE line-up is more likely to intently mirror Mini’s present choices whereas the electrical Mini Countryman will arrive in front- and all-wheel drive codecs creating 150kW/250Nm and 230Nm/295Nm respectively.
Zero to 100km/h acceleration occasions are listed at 8.6 and 5.6 seconds respectively with high speeds of 170 and 180km/h.
Mini says each Countryman fashions may have a 66.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack permitting quick DC charging at as much as 130kW. The duo’s driving ranges are listed at 464km (FWD) and 433km (AWD) on the WLTP cycle.
Energy for electrical Mini Cooper fashions comes from a front-mounted asynchronous electrical motor creating 135kW/290Nm in E variants and 160kW/330Nm in SE variants. 0-100km/h occasions for the duo (in hatch kind) are listed at 7.3 and 6.3 seconds, whereas high speeds are but to be introduced.
The electrical Mini Cooper E is energised by a 40.7kWh lithium-ion battery to supply a WLTP driving vary of as much as 330km, whereas the extra highly effective SE is fed by a bigger 54.2kW battery pack to offer as a lot as 402km vary (WLTP).
Charging is feasible by way of 11kW AC or 75kW (E) and 95kW (SE) DC items, the latter providing a ten – 80 per cent top-up in “just below half-hour”.
For ICE-powered variations of each Cooper and Countryman, acquainted three-cylinder 1.5-litre and four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines plus a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-diesel shall be accessible globally, all together with 48-volt gentle hybrid help.
Progressive styling adjusts, relatively than reinvents, the acquainted Mini Countryman kind. Extra angular and linear than the outgoing mannequin, the brand new Countryman affords angular LED headlights and a ‘floating’ roof, extra distinguished recesses, and physique cladding, and bigger daylight openings (DLO). Alloy wheels now measure 20 inches in diameter.
Stylistically, the Mini Cooper vary adheres intently to that of the outgoing R56 sequence. The entrance is characterised by a extra octagonal grille and hexagonal LED headlights, much like these of the Countryman, whereas a extra steeply raked windscreen and sloping roofline enhance the mannequin’s aerodynamic effectivity (now 0.28Cd).
There isn’t any longer chrome garnishing across the DLOs nor wheel arch extensions above the wheels. The fake vent with emblem discovered behind the entrance wheels can be absent, giving the Cooper a extra fashionable and cleaner look.
On the rear, triangular taillights, once more in LED, bear the acquainted Union Flag motif, whereas the Cooper title is now detailed throughout the tailgate.
“Impressed by our historical past, we have now developed our personal new design language, defining our DNA. We name it ‘Charismatic Simplicity’,” defined Mini head of design, Oliver Heilmer.
“The thought behind it’s a design that offers every new Mini mannequin a powerful, particular person character and is characterised by a transparent, diminished design language intuitively centered on the necessities of the model.”
The brand new Countryman grows considerably to 4433mm in size (+120mm), 1843mm in width (+22mm) and 1656mm in peak (+101mm) brining it nearer in measurement to its BMW X1 platform companion. The wheelbase has additionally grown to 2692mm, a stretch of some 22mm.
Not like the Countryman, the Cooper is now shorter than earlier than at 3858mm lengthy (-5mm). It has, nonetheless, turn out to be wider at 1756mm (+19mm) and taller at 1460mm (+46mm), and rides on a stretched 2526mm wheelbase (+31mm). Cargo area drops 11 litres to 200L.
“With its electrical drive and purist design, the brand new Mini Cooper is an ideal match for an city way of life,” stated Head of Mini, Stefanie Wurst.
“Within the fifth technology of the Mini Cooper, we mix the standard Mini DNA with revolutionary, future-oriented expertise whereas enabling domestically emission-free driving enjoyable that’s typical of Mini.”
Internally, the Mini Countryman E and SE (electrical) variants characteristic an OLED infotainment array measuring 9.4 inches in diameter and a gear selector that’s now set within the centre of the dashboard and never the centre console.
Cabin lodging is elevated consistent with the Countryman’s bigger dimensions, whereas the rear (second row) seats now provide fore-aft sliding. Cargo area is now listed at 460 litres, up 40.
“The brand new Mini Countryman is our automobile for the entire household. In its newest technology, it has not solely grown in peak, size and inside – it has additionally noticeably improved in character, look and expertise. It’s now much more current, extra spacious and extra steady,” defined Mini head of design, Oliver Heilmer.
The 2024 Mini Countryman will rival the likes of the BYD Atto 3, Tesla Mannequin Y and Volvo EX30 when it goes on sale in Australia within the third quarter of subsequent yr. Pricing and native specification shall be introduced nearer to the mannequin’s launch.
The 9.4-inch central OLED infotainment display screen discovered within the Countryman additionally makes its method into the Cooper line-up, becoming a member of an elective head-up show, multifunction steering wheel controls, new HVAC retailers and dash-mounted gear selector.
Stated to attract inspiration from the 1959 unique, the brand new Mini’s central dial (or Interplay Unit) runs Mini’s newest OS9 software program and 5G connectivity to offer an working logic Mini says is much like a smartphone. Navigation, telephone, media, and local weather info can all be seen concurrently.
“With the all-electric Mini Countryman, the biggest mannequin within the new Mini automobile household takes the model into an period of domestically emission-free electrical mobility,” stated Ms Wurst.
“The primary Mini to be manufactured in Germany additionally affords the best attainable degree of environmental compatibility in manufacturing. Its versatility and highly effective electrical drive make it the proper companion within the metropolis in addition to for adventures past.”
