Overview
The iconic MINI internal combustion engine (ICE) car was manufactured by a UK based company, the British Motor Corporation (BMC). In 1996, the company was acquired by the German automotive company BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), headquartered in Munich. The production of the classic petrol MINI stopped in 2000.
BMW is well known for its portfolio of luxury vehicles to include the famed Rolls-Royce luxury cars. The group also manufacturers a number of cars under its BMW brand, to include battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The BMW i3 EV is an excellent example of a successful pure electric car.
Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
Types Of Electric Cars: The Complete Guide For The UK
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The MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid SUV
The MINI Countryman (ICE) was first launched in 2010. The second-generation MINI Countryman was introduced in 2017. The new Cooper SE ALL4 plug-in hybrid was launched in June 2017.
It is iconic, it is fun and it is environmentally-friendly. The MINI plug-in hybrid compact SUV is a perfect family car for those keen to lower driving costs, without compromising on performance. The MINI PHEV has a 10 kWh onboard EV battery, which is reasonably standard for a PHEV of this size.
The EV battery can be charged from 0% to 100% via a dedicated EV charger in two hours. Though the EV can be charged using a 3-PIN domestic plug, we at e-zoomed discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug for charging an electric vehicle (EV). The EV does not offer DC charging.
Given the WLTP certified emission-free electric range is 32 miles, and most commutes are short, there is much scope for taking advantage of electric driving to save money. However, expect the real-world electric range to be closer to 27 miles. The EV range is impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, load, regenerative braking, road condition, weather and a lot more. The EV is well placed for city and town driving i.e. its compact size makes manoeuvring and parking easier in congested urban centres. Having said that it is just as appropriate for motorway driving.
The Mini Countryman PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre (3-cylinder) petrol engine with an electric motor, powered by an onboard EV battery. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 156.9 mpg for the electric vehicle (EV). Of course the real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, but none as influential as using the e-mode.
Bottom-line, to increase the fuel economy of the electric vehicle and lower the driving costs, the PHEV should be driven as much as possible on the pure electric mode. It is also far cheaper to drive on electric mode, compared to using the combustion engine. Depending on where the EV is charged and the cost of charging, driving an EV costs between 5 pence and 10 pence per mile.
The performance of the electric SUV will not disappoint! The four-wheel drive Countryman Plug-In Hybrid can achieve 0-62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The hybrid drivetrain delivers a maximum power of 220 bhp (torque 385 Nm), sufficient for city and motorway driving.
The top speed is 123 mph. Do keep in mind that the additional weight of the onboard EV battery does impact the overall performance of the vehicle. Like other EVs, the Countryman plug-in benefits from instant torque and delivers a smoother and quieter drive, compared to the conventional combustion engine variant.
Despite the compact size, the electric car has a decent practicality proposition on offer. The five-door SUV can comfortable seat 5 adults, though the rear may feel a little snug. The boot space has been impacted due to the onboard EV battery, but still offers a cargo volume up to 405 L. The PHEV has been awarded a Five-Star NCAP safety rating.
The plug-in hybrid is also an option for company-car drivers, given the reduced tailpipe emissions (46g CO2/km) of the hybrid and lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-12%) tax charge, compared to the conventional petrol variant. You can lease the electric cars via e-zoomed at fantastic prices.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good looks and exterior styling (iconic) | Limited cabin space (small boot) |
| Smooth ride and transition between combustion and electric (eDrive). PHEV praised for reliability | Expensive compared to alternatives |
| High quality interior and standard equipment | Limited visibility (rear) |
Gallery
The MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: MINI)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV (Crossover) |
| Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
| Available In UK: | Yes |
| £ Variants (3 Options) |
|---|
| MINI Countryman Classic (from £36,600) |
| MINI Countryman Exclusive (from £39,200) |
| MINI Countryman Untamed Edition (from £40,850) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 10 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 40 – 46g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
| £ Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | £1.27 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | £1.67 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | £1.73 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | £1.89 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | £2.03 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1559 |
| Width (mm): | 1822 |
| Length (mm): | 4297 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2670 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.4 |
| Boot Space (L): | 405 |
| MINI COUNTRYMAN Plug-In Hybrid | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 10 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 32 miles |
| Electric Energy Consumption (miles/kWh): | 3.1 |
| Fuel Consumption (WLTP combined): | 156.9 mpg |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 123 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 6.8 seconds |
| Drive: | Four-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Max Power (HP): | 220 |
| Torque (Nm): | 385 |
| Transmission: | Semi-Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Driving Modes: | 3 (Auto eDrive, Max eDrive, Save Battery) |
| Unladen Weight (kg): | 1,790 |
| Colours: | 9 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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