Mini’s Countryman was so well received that now the automaker has unveiled a redesigned Countryman plug-in hybrid.
The second-generation crossover model is larger than the previous version with a bit more interior space and an overall more rugged aesthetic. Of course, the biggest change is the introduction of a plug-in hybrid drivetrain for fuel-conscious drivers.
The new addition to the Mini lineup features a relocated speedometer that now sits behind the steering wheel, several toggle switches, and 30-percent more space in the trunk.
Customers who opt for the base engine will enjoy a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder that puts out 134 hp and 162 pound-feet of torque. That power helps the Mini to get from zero-to-60 in about 9.3 seconds.
For a bit more oomph, drivers can select the Countryman S with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Zero-to-60 time improves to 7.2 seconds.
The Countryman S E is the plug-in model with a 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor that creates 88 horsepower. Capable of cruising on electricity alone for 24 miles, it’s able to reach 60 mph from a stop in 6.8 seconds when both power sources are utilized. It also delivers 221 horses and 284 pound-feet of torque when using gas and electric.
Mini’s new Countryman and Countryman S will be available in March, but customers looking for the S E will have to wait until June to acquire the plug-in model.