MINI Reveal New Electric Countryman and Cooper Models

04th Sep 2023

By Chris Russon

Electric MINI Countryman and MINI Cooper Pair

More Photos

MINI is showing off its electric future, with new zero emission versions of the Cooper hatch and the larger Countryman having their public debuts.

There is also a petrol-engined version of the latest Countryman – all of which went on show at the IAA International Motor Show in Munich.

Prices start from £30,000 for the MINI Cooper and £41,500 for the all-electric Countryman while the petrol version runs from £28,500.

With a range of up to 250 miles for the Cooper hatch and 287 miles for the SUV-oriented Countryman, both are due for release early in 2024.

The fifth generation MINI 3-door Cooper Electric is available in two power specifications – one producing 181bhp and the other in the Cooper Electric SE 215bhp – with the SE priced from £34,500.

The Countryman also offers two power outputs but has a larger battery rated at 64.7kWh compared to the 40.7kWh of the Cooper.

That results in power outputs of 204bhp and 309bhp in the all-wheel-drive Countryman SE ALL4, giving it a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 5.6 seconds and a maximum of 111mph, while the Countryman E manages the sprint in 8.6 seconds and tops out at 105mph.

Fully charged, the Countryman E has a range of up to 287 miles while the SE is rated at 269 miles with recharging times up to 80 percent capacity said to be under half-an-hour.

The Countryman Electric SE ALL4 is priced from £46,600.

Performance for the Cooper hatch in entry-level E specification is a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 7.3 seconds with a maximum of 99mph and range of 190 miles, while the more powerful Cooper SE is rated at 6.7 seconds and 106mph with a range of 250 miles.

The Cooper SE is fitted with a 54.2kWh battery, which results in its greater range.

The interior of both new models marks a huge step forward for MINI with the introduction of the world’s first OLED display, which is powered by the latest generation of the MINI Operating System.

With a diameter of 240mm, the characteristic round display screen can be operated either by touch or voice control.

The upper half of the screen displays vehicle-related information such as speed and battery status, and can be tapped to be displayed full screen, while the lower area houses navigation, media, phone, and climate settings.

A head-up display can be fitted as an option, which projects information into the driver’s line of sight.

In the Cooper there is a new octagonal grille while the classic MINI round headlights now come with changeable light signatures which alter the appearance of the daytime running lights with three different settings available. The rear lights can also be configured in a similar fashion.

Flush door handles are fitted for the first time on a MINI, while the wheel arches and side scuttles have been removed, as has the use of chrome in the trim.

The MINI Cooper will be available in three different trims - Classic, Exclusive, and Sport – with a new finish to the dashboard using a two-colour knitted textile pattern made from recycled polyester.

Boot space on the Cooper runs from 200 to 800 litres, while on the larger Countryman capacity goes from 460 to 1,450 litres.

Overall, the Countryman is now six centimetres higher and 13 centimetres longer, with an extended wheelbase that increases room inside.

The models retain MINI’s toggle switches below the central display and come with a variety of driving modes, including a Go Kart setting for sporty driving.

The Countryman petrol model comes with three different power outputs ranging from 168bhp to 296bhp, with top speeds ranging from 132 to 155mph.

Mid-range Countryman S ALL4s are priced from £33,900 while the range-topping John Cooper Works model costs from £39,900.

Fuel economy is rated at a best of 46.3mpg for the entry level Countryman C to 36.2 for the Countryman JCW ALL4.

Prices correct as of 04/09/2023 and are subject to change.