Photo: CarPix
The current MINI Countryman received a small facelift last year, aiming at keeping the car attractive until 2017 when it will be going out of production. In the meantime, BMW is testing the new model in Sweden and we caught it in plug-in guise, with what looks like the production interior.
If you were expecting the new model to come out with a completely fresh design for the cabin, you’re going to be let down. As far as we can tell from the spyshots attached below, the same look as in the Mk3 Hardtop will be used, that’s soon going to become the norm in the MINI line-up.
Even the upcoming Clubman is using it and the concept on which that car is based was more than impressive. Even so, compared to the current generation it’s going to be a noticeable improvement.
The center, huge speedometer is gone, just like on the new hatchback, and it was replaced by the new infotainment screen. On top of that, the rev counter was placed next to it, right in front of the driver.
The HVAC controls were changed as well, to be in tune with the new model while the center console, even though located under heavy camouflage, seems to be solving the issue we’ve all been complaining about: access to the iDrive knob (which looks rather peculiar as well, probably due to the lack of a touch-sensitive surface on top of it). The air vents seem to be rectangular as well, similar to those on the Clubman.
That one is using a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric motor that combined offer around 240 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. That’s a lot for a MINI. Most likely, the setup will be changed to one more similar to the i8.
That’s right, but on different power levels. The engine up front could be a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder but making around 110 HP instead of the 231 HP on the sports car. On top of that we could also see an electric motor making around 80-90 HP that would give the plug-in hybrid Countryman around 200 HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque to play and save the planet with.
Since it’s built on the same platform as the 2 Series Active Tourer, we expect the hybrid to have the exact same specs as the upcoming electrified MPV from BMW.
Even the upcoming Clubman is using it and the concept on which that car is based was more than impressive. Even so, compared to the current generation it’s going to be a noticeable improvement.
The center, huge speedometer is gone, just like on the new hatchback, and it was replaced by the new infotainment screen. On top of that, the rev counter was placed next to it, right in front of the driver.
The HVAC controls were changed as well, to be in tune with the new model while the center console, even though located under heavy camouflage, seems to be solving the issue we’ve all been complaining about: access to the iDrive knob (which looks rather peculiar as well, probably due to the lack of a touch-sensitive surface on top of it). The air vents seem to be rectangular as well, similar to those on the Clubman.
The powertrain
Now that we’ve discussed the interior, what could we possibly say about the plug-in powertrain? Well, first of all, BMW could have its pick here as multiple choices will be available. Our guess is that it won’t be the same setup as in the 328e model that’s bound to come out next year.That one is using a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric motor that combined offer around 240 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. That’s a lot for a MINI. Most likely, the setup will be changed to one more similar to the i8.
That’s right, but on different power levels. The engine up front could be a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder but making around 110 HP instead of the 231 HP on the sports car. On top of that we could also see an electric motor making around 80-90 HP that would give the plug-in hybrid Countryman around 200 HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque to play and save the planet with.
Since it’s built on the same platform as the 2 Series Active Tourer, we expect the hybrid to have the exact same specs as the upcoming electrified MPV from BMW.
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