The Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 combines the space and practicality of a large MINI with the sustainability of eDrive technology and an electrified all-wheel drive system.
MINI is pitching the car at those who wish to enjoy the benefits of purely electric mobility when commuting, while at the same time benefiting from unlimited long-distance suitability at the weekend.
MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4: The highlights
> The brand’s first ever plug-in hybrid model
> BMW Group eDrive components developed specifically for MINI Countryman that draw on expertise gained from the development of BMW iPerformance automobiles
> 3-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor combine to produce a total system output of 224hp
> Fuel consumption in the EU test cycle: 2.1 l/100km, CO2 emissions: 49 g/km
> Electric driving at speeds of up to 125kph with a range of up to 40km
> Innovative driving experience due to the electrified all-wheel drive system ALL4
> Three operating modes available for selection via eDrive toggle switch
> High standard equipment, including satellite navigation and hybrid-specific displays
Propulsion is shared between a 3-cylinder petrol engine and a synchronous electric motor. Together they produce a system output of 224hp. The average fuel consumption of 2.1 l/100km and the CO2 emissions figure of 49 grams per kilometre (EU test cycle figures for plug-in hybrid vehicles), yet also enabling a 0-100kph time of just 6.9 seconds.
The front wheels are powered by the combustion engine, the rear wheels by the electric motor. The hybrid is able to run on electricity alone not just in urban traffic, but for long distances – at a top speed of 125kph and with a range of up to 40km. Drawing on the power of both drive forms, it offers driving fun away from surfaced roads as well.
Only one of the two power units is used when the car is moving, while the other one can be additionally enabled at any time to optimise traction, ride stability and agility. The signal required for this purpose comes from the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) unit, which continuously analyses both the situation on the road and the commands of the driver.
The 1.5-litre engine provides a peak output of 136hp. The maximum torque of the engine is 220Nm, which goes on stream at 1,250 rpm. The combustion engine is combined with a modified 6-speed Steptronic transmission which transfers its power to the front wheels.
The electric motor is located under the luggage compartment floor. Designed according to the principle of a hybrid synchronous motor, the electric drive offers a high output of 88 hp -considering the size and weight of the car - and generates a maximum torque of 165Nm that is available from standing. In addition, it provides constant power delivery even during high engine speed ranges as well as a high level of efficiency. The electric motor directs its power to the rear axle via a two-stage single-speed transmission.
The lithium-ion battery under the rear seat is made up of five modules, each comprising 16 battery cells. Like the electric motor, it is produced at the Dingolfing plant, the BMW Group’s competence centre for eDrive technology. The high-voltage battery has a capacity of 7.6 kWh. At a wallbox with a charging capacity of 3.6 kW it can be fully charged in 2:15 hours. Charging at a regular household socket takes 3:15 hours.
The connection for the charging cable is under a flap in the area of the left-hand side scuttle. Other features are the model-specific “e” badge on the side scuttles and also a yellow “S” in the model inscription on the rear as well as on the radiator grille and door sill finishers.
The driver can also use the eDrive toggle switch to choose between three operating modes.
AUTO eDRIVE: Purely electric driving up to 80kph. The combustion engine is automatically enabled when necessary, for example when accelerating quickly or when the battery charge falls below 7%.
MAX eDRIVE: Purely electric driving up to 125kph, the combustion engine is additionally enabled at higher speeds or on kickdown.
SAVE BATTERY: The car is powered by the combustion engine.
The hybrid boasts a versatile interior. The high-voltage battery is housed underneath the slightly raised rear seat, as is the 35-litre fuel tank. When all seats are in use, the luggage compartment volume in the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is only slightly less than in the conventionally powered model variants. The rear backrests offer the possibility of a 40 : 20 : 40 split; they can also be folded down and varied in their tilt angle.
The cockpit includes a yellow start/stop unit at the centre of the toggle switch panel and a performance display in the instrument cluster on the steering column.
The car comes as standard with the MINI Visual boost Radio featuring a 6.5-inch colour screen in the central instrument. This displays information such as the charge state of the high-voltage battery and operating mode of the hybrid drive selected by eDrive toggle switch. In conjunction with the optional Media package including MINI navigation system XL, operation is via an 8.8-inch screen with a new graphic design and touchscreen function as well as via the Touch Controller in the centre console.
“The entire hybrid technology is installed in such a way that you don’t notice it inside the car at all,” says Uwe Seitz, MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 project manager, “with the exception of the controls used to activate the various driving modes.”
The new Countryman is set for a public reveal at the the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, with the petrol-powered version going on sale in March next year followed by the hybrid in June.
MINI has been working on electric mobility for the past eight years. The MINI E presented in 2008 was the BMW Group’s first purely electrically powered automobile and was driven by private users in everyday traffic as part of a large-scale field experiment.
More than 600 of the MINI E, based on the MINI Cooper Hatch, were used for practical testing purposes worldwide. The project yielded vital insights into the use of electrically powered automobiles which were incorporated in the development of the BMW i3.
