BMW has announced that a plugin hybrid model from the Mini family of cars will be launched in June. Based on the Countryman body style, this new car has been named the Mini Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 and is the first of its kind in this new generation for the iconic British manufacturer, owned by BMW.
This Mini gets its hybrid (ness) through the combination of a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine powering the front wheels and a 65kW electric motor powering the rear wheels giving a new meaning to the term ALL4. The petrol motor produces 136bhp/220Nm while the electric motor produces the equivalent of 88bhp/165Nm. The front wheels get a six-speed steptronic transmission while the rear has been mated to a two-stage single speed unit. It has a pure electric range of 40km and can hit a top speed of 125kmph on the same.
This plugin hybrid model shares its underpinnings with the i3 hatchback and was developed alongside BMW’s smallest electric car. It is distinguishable from the standard Mini range by the presence of the electric charging socket and special yellow shades on the badges.
It will be launched for markets in Europe in June and is expected to be priced fairly higher than the standard Countryman models. Now given the kind of niche appeal that the brand has in India, there is a high possibility of it being brought here in limited numbers only.
