Launched last year in electric SE form, the MINI Countryman has since spawned a petrol version, the Countryman S, priced at the same RM258,888. It’s rare that the combustion-engined and EV versions of the same car are on such equal footing, and it’s rarer still that we’ve driven both versions, so we’ll see which is better in this review.
The S you see here is actually the second to be offered in Malaysia, now CKD locally assembled and costing a whopping RM90,000 less than last year’s CBU model. One casualty of the lower price is that the 48-volt mild hybrid system, which normally adds 20 PS and 55 Nm, has been jettisoned – seemingly having an effect on the car’s performance, as you’ll find out.
Besides that, however, motive power remains the same – the venerable B48 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder continues to produce 204 PS from 5,000 to 6,500 rpm and 300 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. All that is routed to all four wheels through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.
Spec-wise, the S is comparable to the SE, both in range-topping Favoured trim with adaptive LED headlights, 20-inch Windmill Spoke alloy wheels, customisable lighting signatures, powered John Cooper Works sports seats wrapped in Vecsin faux leather, a knitted fabric dashboard, a 9.4-inch OLED circular infotainment display, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, Harman Kardon audio and the Driving Assistant package.
Same price and specs, but equipped with a vastly different powertrain – the petrol S may be the more logical choice for most Malaysians, but is it better overall than the electric SE? Watch yours truly’s review of the car in the video below.
It’s also a whopping RM90,000 cheaper than the CBU fully-imported model that was introduced only last September. As usual, this is with the standard two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty; add the four-year warranty and service package and this figure goes up to RM269,288.
The Countryman S looks almost identical to the SE, but in place of that car’s dual electric motors is a 2.0 litre B48 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 204 PS from 5,000 to 6,500 rpm and 300 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. Unlike the CBU model, there is no 48-volt mild hybrid system here, which normally adds 20 PS and 55 Nm.
Paired with an seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and All4 all-wheel drive, the Countryman S is able to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds (0.3 seconds slower than the mild hybrid model) on its way to a top speed of 228 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.8 litres per 100 km on the WLTP cycle.
Aside from the “S” badges being coloured red instead of lime green, the S appears identical to the SE from the outside, too. It too comes in the range-topping Favoured trim, bringing with it Vibrant Silver (read: gold) accents, decorative skid plates and a choice of either Piano Black or Vibrant Silver roof and door mirrors. It also rides on 20-inch Windmill Spoke two-tone alloy wheels. In terms of colour options, you can choose from Smokey Green, Slate Blue, Chili Red, Melting Silver, Nanuq White and Blazing Blue
Inside, the S gets a 3D-knit fabric dashboard and door card wrap that gradates to Vintage Brown towards the rear doors. Here, the Favoured package adds JCW sport seats wrapped in Vescin Beading faux leather in Dark Petrol – the Vintage Brown option has been removed on the CKD model.
In terms of tech, you get MINI’s distinctive 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen that integrates not only the air-con controls but also the speed readout, much like the Volvo EX30. It runs on the Android-based MINI Operating System 9 and comes with a “Hey MINI” voice control system, visualised by a dog avatar called Spike. The deletion of the instrument cluster has been compensated by the addition of a head-up display.
Behind the display sit two projectors that display patterns onto either side of the dashboard, depending on the drive mode selected. You also get augmented reality navigation, the smartphone-based MINI Digital Key Plus, MINI Driving Sounds and a 360-degree camera system with Remote 3D View.
Other bits of standard kit include keyless entry with proximity locking/unlocking, exterior MINI logo projection, power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory, lumbar adjustment and massage functions, dual-zone climate control and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.
Click to enlarge
Thanks to the lack of battery underneath the floorpan, the S has a lower rear floor than the SE, which should make for a more comfortable, less knees-up seating position. The hands-free powered tailgate opens up to a boot that’s listed to be actually very slightly smaller (-10 litres) at 450 litres, although we found that the underfloor storage is much more useable without a big hump in the middle. As with the SE, you can fold the rear seats to boost luggage space to 1,530 litres.
Safety-wise, the Countryman S comes as standard with the Driving Assistant package, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear collision warning and rear cross traffic alert. Also fitted is Parking Assistant Plus, throwing on park assist, a Manoeuvring Assistant, a Reversing Assistant and a 360-degree camera system with remote 3D view.
The car also gets all the hardware necessary for Driving Assistant Plus, adding adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist and traffic sign recognition. However, you’ll have to pay for a subscription to activate it, which costs RM202 per month – or you can trump up RM4,481 for it to be unlocked for the lifetime of the car.
The MINI Countryman S All4 was made far more affordable with the introduction of the CKD locally-assembled model earlier this week. Its appearance at the ongoing Sime Motors AutoArena gave us a good look at the car, which is set to drop some RM90,000 over the fully-imported version.
Now retailing at an estimated RM259,000 with the standard two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, the Countryman S should now cost the same as the electric Countryman SE, which costs RM258,888. With the optional four-year warranty and service package, this goes up to around RM270,000. Beyond the significantly reduced price, the CKD S is identical to the CBU model in specs and equipment.
The Countryman S looks almost identical to the SE, but in place of that car’s dual electric motors is a 2.0 litre B48 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 204 PS from 5,000 to 6,500 rpm and 320 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. A 48-volt electric motor provides an additional 20 PS and 55 Nm of accelerative boost, resulting in outputs of 218 PS and 360 Nm.
Paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the all-wheel-drive Countryman S is able to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 228 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.8 litres per 100 km on the WLTP cycle.
Aside from the “S” badges being coloured red instead of lime green, the S appears identical to the SE. It too comes in the range-topping Favoured trim, bringing with it Vibrant Silver (read: gold) accents, decorative skid plates and a choice of either Piano Black or Vibrant Silver roof and door mirrors. It also rides on 20-inch Windmill Spoke two-tone alloy wheels. In terms of colour options, you can choose from Smokey Green, Slate Blue, Chili Red, Melting Silver, Nanuq White and Blazing Blue
Inside, the S gets a 3D-knit fabric dashboard and door card wrap that gradates to Vintage Brown towards the rear doors. Here, the Favoured package adds JCW sport seats wrapped in Vescin Beading faux leather in Dark Petrol – the Vintage Brown option has been removed on the CKD model.
In terms of tech, you get MINI’s distinctive 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen that integrates not only the air-con controls but also the speed readout, much like the Volvo EX30. It runs on the Android-based MINI Operating System 9 and comes with a “Hey MINI” voice control system, visualised by a dog avatar called Spike. The deletion of the instrument cluster has been compensated by the addition of a head-up display.
Behind the display sit two projectors that display patterns onto either side of the dashboard, depending on the drive mode selected. You also get augmented reality navigation, the smartphone-based MINI Digital Key Plus, MINI Driving Sounds and a 360-degree camera system with Remote 3D View.
Other bits of standard kit include keyless entry with proximity locking/unlocking, exterior MINI logo projection, power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory, lumbar adjustment and massage functions, dual-zone climate control and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.
MINI Countryman S (left) versus the electric SE
Thanks to the lack of battery underneath the floorpan, the S has a lower rear floor than the SE, which should make for a more comfortable, less knees-up seating position. The hands-free powered tailgate opens up to a boot that’s listed to be actually very slightly smaller (-10 litres) at 450 litres, although our photos show that the underfloor storage is clearly much more useable without a big hump in the middle. As with the SE, you can fold the rear seats to boost luggage space to 1,450 litres.
Safety-wise, the Countryman S comes as standard with the Driving Assistant package, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear collision warning and rear cross traffic alert. Also fitted is Parking Assistant Plus, throwing on park assist, a Manoeuvring Assistant, a Reversing Assistant and a 360-degree camera system with remote 3D view.
The car also gets all the hardware necessary for Driving Assistant Plus, adding adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist and traffic sign recognition. However, you’ll have to pay for a subscription to activate it, which costs RM202 per month – or you can trump up RM4,481 for it to be unlocked for the lifetime of the car.
BMW Group Malaysia has introduced the 2025 MINI Countryman S All4 to the Malaysian market in locally assembled (CKD) guise, and pricing for the brand’s crossover is estimated to start from RM259k, or an estimated RM270k with the extended warranty and service package.
This means the crossover is now priced considerably lower – by around RM90k – as a locally assembled model than when it was introduced last September as a fully imported (CBU) product, at RM348,888 on-the-road without insurance, or RM359,288 with the extended warranty and servicing package.
Powertrain for the U25-generation Countryman S continues to be the B48 2.0 litre inline-four cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as in the CBU Countryman S, albeit here with 204 PS and 300 Nm of torque. Slightly different outputs from those of the petrol unit in last year’s mild-hybrid CBU version, and indeed this is a purely ICE powertrain, without the electrification.
Drive goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the 0-100 km/h acceleration run elapsed in 7.4 seconds, while top speed is 228 km/h. Rolling stock is a set of 20-inch ‘Windmill Spoke’ two-tone alloy wheels, and the exterior trim package is the Favoured pack as on the CBU version.
Inside, interior kit for the locally assembled Countryman S includes the comfort access pack with Comfort Package Plus that brings a rear-view mirror with anti-dazzle, headline in anthracite, and a 12-speaker, 365-watt Harman Kardon audio system.
Infotainment is by a 240 mm (9.4-inch) circular OLED touchscreen that also serves to provide air-conditioning functions, while further driving-related information is projected via a head-up display ahead of the steering wheel. Included onboard is the MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant that brings voice-controlled navigation, phone, entertainment and more functions.
Seating comes courtesy of electrically adjustable John Cooper Works sport seats in the front row. The driver’s seat gets a memory and massage function, and both front seats are upholstered in vegan leather on the sides.
Safety and driver assistance equipment in the CKD Countryman S includes the Driving Assistant pack, consisting of lane change warning, lane departure warning, speed limit information and manual speed limit assist, cruise control with braking, front collision warning with brake intervention (AEB), evasion assistant, rear cross-traffic warning with brake intervention (reversing AEB), rear-end collision prevention and exit warning.
2024 U25 MINI Countryman in Malaysia, CBU
Also on are Parking Assistant Plus that includes park assist, reversing assistant (for distances up to 50 m), active park distance control, drive-off monitoring, rear panorama view, parking view, panorama view, remote 3D view, BMW Drive Recorder and an external anti-theft recorder.
Also available is the Driving Assistant Plus pack, that brings active cruise control with stop and go, steering and lane control assistant, and the manual and automatic speed limit assistant.
Exterior colours for the 2025 MINI Countryman S in Malaysia includes Smokey Green, Slate Blue, Chili Red, Melting Silver, Nanuq White and Blazing Blue, while interior scheme for the brand’s crossover is Dark Petrol. the MINI Countryman S is sold with a two-year warranty as standard (estimated pricing at RM259k), or it can be optioned with the extended warranty and service package (RM270k estimated).
This is a surprise – BMW Group Malaysia has quietly introduced the U25 MINI Countryman S All4 at the ongoing Sime Darby Motor Automania event, joining the electric SE and the hot John Cooper Works. The cooking mild hybrid model is a step below the JCW in terms of performance, although it isn’t actually all that much cheaper.
In fact, the Countryman S costs an eye-watering RM348,888 on-the-road without insurance – a full RM105,000 more expensive than the outgoing run-out F60 Cooper S Countryman in JCW trim, and only RM41,000 less expensive than the full-fat RM389,888 JCW.
This, by the way, is with the standard two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty – if you plump for the four-year warranty and service package, this figure balloons to RM359,288. The car is CBU fully imported from Leipzig, Germany; we’d imagine CKD local assembly will come shortly to lower the price.
The Countryman S looks almost identical to the SE, but in place of that car’s dual electric motors is a 2.0 litre B48 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 204 PS from 5,000 to 6,500 rpm and 320 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. A 48-volt electric motor provides an additional 20 PS and 55 Nm of accelerative boost, resulting in outputs of 218 PS and 360 Nm.
Paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the all-wheel-drive Countryman S is able to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 228 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.8 litres per 100 km on the WLTP cycle.
Aside from the “S” badges being coloured red instead of lime green, the S appears identical to the SE. It too comes in the range-topping Favoured trim, bringing with it Vibrant Silver (read: gold) accents, decorative skid plates and a choice of either Piano Black or Vibrant Silver roof and door mirrors. It also rides on 20-inch Windmill Spoke two-tone alloy wheels.
Inside, the S gets a 3D-knit fabric dashboard and door card wrap that gradates to Vintage Brown towards the rear doors. Here, the Favoured package adds JCW sport seats wrapped in Vescin Beading faux leather in either Vintage Brown or Dark Petrol.
In terms of tech, you get MINI’s distinctive 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen that integrates not only the air-con controls but also the speed readout, much like the Volvo EX30. It runs on the Android-based MINI Operating System 9 and comes with a “Hey MINI” voice control system, visualised by a dog avatar called Spike. The deletion of the instrument cluster has been compensated by the addition of a head-up display.
Behind the display sit two projectors that display patterns onto either side of the dashboard, depending on the drive mode selected. You also get augmented reality navigation, the smartphone-based MINI Digital Key Plus, MINI Driving Sounds and a 360-degree camera system with Remote 3D View.
Other bits of standard kit include keyless entry with proximity locking/unlocking, exterior MINI logo projection, power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory, lumbar adjustment and massage functions, dual-zone climate control and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system. The hands-free powered tailgate opens up to a boot that’s actually slightly smaller at 450 litres, due to the need to house the mild hybrid battery underneath, although you can fold the rear seats to boost luggage space to 1,450 litres.
Safety-wise, the Countryman S comes as standard with the Driving Assistant package, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear collision warning and rear cross traffic alert. Also fitted is Parking Assistant Plus, throwing on park assist, a Manoeuvring Assistant, a Reversing Assistant and a 360-degree camera system with remote 3D view.
The car also gets all the hardware necessary for Driving Assistant Plus, adding adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist and traffic sign recognition. However, you’ll have to pay for a subscription to activate it, which costs RM202 per month – or you can trump up RM4,481 for it to be unlocked for the lifetime of the car.
Launched in Malaysia in May, the new MINI Countryman SE has finally made its way to us, so we’ve provided you with a full gallery of this electric SUV. As before, the third-generation model is based on the BMW X1, but there’s also now an EV variant with the same motors and battery as the iX1 xDrive30, too.
First, let’s talk about pricing. MINI has released official pricing for the Countryman in Malaysia, and it’s not far off what was estimated, with the SE All4 retailing at RM258,888 on-the-road without insurance. That’s with the standard two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty; add the four-year warranty and service package and this figure jumps to RM266,288.
That money buys you dual motors that deliver all-wheel drive and a total output of 313 PS (230 kW) and 494 Nm of torque – exactly the same as the RM16,900 dearer iX1 xDrive30. In fact, the Countryman SE actually accelerates from zero to 100 km/h a tenth of a second quicker at 5.6 seconds, on its way to hitting a top speed of 180 km/h.
However, despite also sharing its 66.5 kWh battery, its WLTP-rated range is slightly lower than the iX1 at 432 km. On the flip side, the Countryman not only accepts the same 130 kW of DC fast charging (topping up the battery from 10 to 80% in 29 minutes) but has double the maximum AC charging input of 22 kW, meaning that a full charge takes much less time at just 3 hours 45 minutes.
MINI has clearly developed the U25 Countryman to be much more practical than the outgoing F60 model, and that much is evident in the car’s size. At 4,445 mm long, the new car is 130 mm longer than before and is in fact just 60 mm shorter than the iX1, which is built on the same second-generation UKL2 platform.
As such, this car loses the typical MINI four-square stance, despite some deft sculpting to help minimise the car’s visual bulk. Highlights include squarish adaptive LED headlights with perimeter daytime running lights, a large hexagonal front grille, chunky fender flares, flush pull-up door handles, customisable “matrix” LED taillights and a peculiar C-pillar trim piece that drops downwards from the roof.
Some typical MINI design cues, such as the front fender “side scuttles” and clamshell bonnet, have been dropped for a more minimalist look. The Malaysian-spec model comes in the range-topping Favoured trim, which adds Vibrant Silver exterior trim, decorative skid plates and a choice of either Piano Black or Vibrant Silver roof and door mirrors. It also rides on 20-inch Windmill Spoke two-tone alloy wheels.
The minimalist aesthetic continues on the inside, with a wraparound dashboard design covered in Dark Petrol (ironic, given the lack of petrol in this car) 3D-knit fabric that gradates to Vintage Brown towards the rear doors. You also get a three-spoke sports steering wheel with a fabric lower spoke, vertical air vents and a wide centre console with a variety of storage compartments – including a Qi wireless charger and a covered box with a pull-to-open strap.
As you can expect from such a massive size increase, MINI promises greater passenger space, including a significant increase in shoulder room. Open the hands-free powered tailgate and you’ll find a 460 litre boot, expandable to 1,350 litres with the 40:20:40-split rear seats folded (no front boot, unfortunately).
Taking centre stage (literally) is a distinctive 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen that integrates not only the air-con controls but also the speed readout, much like the Volvo EX30. It runs on the Android-based MINI Operating System 9 and comes with a “Hey MINI” voice control system, visualised by a dog avatar called Spike. The deletion of the instrument cluster has been compensated by the addition of a head-up display.
Behind the display sit two projectors that display patterns onto either side of the dashboard, depending on the drive mode selected. You also get augmented reality navigation, the smartphone-based MINI Digital Key Plus, MINI Driving Sounds and a 360-degree camera system with Remote 3D View. Below the screen, the trademark toggle switches have been simplified to just two for the gear selector and drive modes, plus a volume knob, parking brake button and a unique key-like starter twist knob.
On the inside, the Favoured trim adds JCW sport seats made of Vescin Beading faux leather in either Vintage Brown or Dark Petrol. Other bits of standard kit include keyless entry with proximity locking and unlocking, exterior MINI logo projection, power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory, lumbar adjustment and massage functions, dual-zone climate control and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.
Safety-wise, the Countryman SE comes as standard with the Driving Assistant package, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear collision warning and rear cross traffic alert. Also fitted is Parking Assistant Plus, throwing on park assist, a Manoeuvring Assistant, a Reversing Assistant and a 360-degree camera system with remote 3D view.
The car also comes with all the hardware necessary for Driving Assistant Plus, adding adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist and traffic sign recognition. However, you’ll have to pay for a subscription to activate it, which costs RM202 per month – or you can trump up RM4,481 for it to be unlocked for the lifetime of the car.
In addition to the 520i and i5 M60, BMW Group Malaysia has also launched the all-new U25 MINI Countryman in Malaysia. Larger and much more closely related to Bavaria than the outgoing second-generation F60 (it’s even built there, in nearby Leipzig), the SUV is being offered in petrol and, for the first time, fully-electric guise.
The range starts with the electric Countryman SE All4, with estimated pricing of RM260,000, around RM26,000 cheaper than its sibling, the BMW iX1 xDrive30. Meanwhile, the sole petrol variant is the hot John Cooper Works Countryman, set to be offered at RM399,000. Deliveries are set to kick off in the third quarter of the year.
MINI Countryman SE All4
On the SE, the All4 suffix denotes the presence of twin motors, producing a sum total of 313 PS (230 kW) and 494 Nm of torque. Those are identical figures to the iX1 xDrive30, enabling it to get from zero to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds (a tenth of a second quicker than the BMW) on its way to a top speed of 180 km/h.
What the MINI gains in performance it loses in range – equipped with the same 66.5 kWh battery as the iX1, it nevertheless returns a slightly lower figure of 432 km on the WLTP cycle. On the flip side, the Countryman not only accepts the same 130 kW of DC fast charging (topping up the battery from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes) but has double the maximum AC charging input of 22 kW, which should lead to much shorter charge times.
Built on the same front-wheel-drive UKL2 platform as the iX1, the new Countryman is much bigger than the car it replaces, being 130 mm longer and having a 22 mm longer wheelbase. The size increase is most noticeable in the longer rear overhang, meaning that the car loses the typical MINI four-square stance.
Highlights include squarish LED headlights with perimeter daytime running lights, a large hexagonal front grille, chunky fender flares, flush pull-up door handles, customisable “matrix” LED taillights and a peculiar C-pillar trim piece that drops downwards from the roof. Some typical MINI design cues, such as the front fender “side scuttles” and clamshell bonnet, have been dropped for a more minimalist look.
The Malaysian-spec model comes in the range-topping Favoured trim, which adds gloss black exterior trim, decorative skid plates and a choice of either Piano Black or Vibrant Silver roof and door mirrors. It also rides on 20-inch Windmill Spoke two-tone alloy wheels.
Inside, MINI promises greater passenger space, including a significant increase in shoulder room; there’s also a 460 litre boot expandable to 1,350 litres with the 40:20:40-split rear seats folded (no front boot, unfortunately). The minimalist aesthetic continues on the inside, with a wraparound dashboard design covered in Dark Petrol (ironic) houndstooth fabric, a three-spoke sports steering wheel with a fabric lower spoke, vertical air vents and a wide centre console with a variety of storage compartments.
Taking centre stage (literally) is a distinctive 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen that integrates not only the air-con controls but also the speed readout, much like the Volvo EX30. It runs on the Android-based MINI Operating System 9 and comes with a “Hey MINI” voice control system, visualised by a dog avatar called Spike. The deletion of the instrument cluster has been compensated by the addition of a head-up display.
Behind the display sit two projectors that display patterns onto either side of the dashboard, depending on the drive mode selected. You also get the smartphone-based MINI Digital Key Plus, MINI Driving Sounds and a 360-degree camera system with Remote 3D View. Below the screen, the trademark toggle switches have been simplified to just two for the gear selector and drive modes, plus a volume knob, parking brake button and a unique key-like starter twist knob.
On the inside, the Favoured trim adds JCW sport seats made of Vescin Beading faux leather in either Vintage Brown or Dark Petrol. Other bits of standard kit include power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory and massage functions, black headlining and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.
Safety-wise, the Countryman comes as standard with the Driving Assistant Plus package, adding autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, evasive steering assist, blind spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition. Also fitted is Parking Assistant Professional, throwing on remote parking assist via a smartphone app, a Manoeuvring Assistant and a Reversing Assistant.
MINI John Cooper Works Countryman All4
Despite being positioned as the performance model, the JCW actually has less power than the EV variant, its B48 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine only making 300 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Even so, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive at its disposal, this not-so-pocket rocket is able to complete the century sprint two tenths of a second quicker at 5.4 seconds, while its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Adaptive dampers are also fitted.
Setting the JCW apart from the SE is a full exterior package that consists of a more aggressive front bumper (with a chequered flag grille pattern and twin fake “air intakes” up top), a large rear diffuser with quad round tailpipes and a red roof and door mirrors. The car rolls on 21-inch JCW Flag Spoke alloys with Pirelli P Zero tyres, hiding JCW Performance Brakes with red callipers.
There are more changes on the inside, including a JCW steering wheel, JCW-specific fabric interior trim in red, a black fabric accent strip and JCW Black Vecsin faux leather upholstery with red and grey accents.
This being a petrol model, the boot is larger at 505 litres and can be expandable to 1,530 litres by folding the rear seats. The JCW is also the only model to feature manually-adjustable rear seats, including six positions for the back seat recline.
GALLERY: MINI Countryman SE All4 at Malaysia Autoshow 2024
GALLERY: MINI John Cooper Works Countryman All4 at Malaysia Autoshow 2024
The latest Countryman is offered with both fully electric and internal combustion powertrains, and for the latter, the C is the starting point before progressing to the S and JCW. Going with the base variant nets out a 1.5 litre turbocharged inline-three petrol engine with mild hybrid technology – MINI says there is a diesel option too.
The mill is rated at 170 PS (168 hp or 125 kW) and 280 Nm of torque, with drive sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This setup is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 8.3 seconds as well as a top speed of 212 km/h. MINI also points out that the mild hybrid system can support the engine during accelerations with 19 PS (19 hp or 14 kW) of electric drive.
In terms of equipment, the Countryman is available with four trim options, including the Essential, Classic, Favoured and JCW. Depending on what’s chosen, the model gets different paint and roof colours, C-pillar elements as well as various interior finishes. Wheel sizes for the Countryman C range from 17 to 21 inches.
Inside, the Countryman comes with a panoramic glass roof and flexible back seats which can be moved up to 13 cm for additional legroom. The backrest of the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats can also be individually adjusted in six positions by up to 12 degrees, or folded down completely to increase boot volume from the normal 450 litres to 1,460 litres.
As for other bits of kit, the Countryman, like the latest MINI Cooper, comes with a circular OLED touchscreen that provides core driving information and access to all vehicle functions. There’s also the MINI Experience Modes, MINI toggle bar and Driving Assistant Plus, the last of which is a first for the Countryman.
The third-generation (U25) MINI Countryman made its debut just a few days ago, and we’re now getting information of the John Cooper Works variant powered by an internal combustion engine. As spotted by MotoringFile, MINI’s German website revealed the Countryman JCW will retain its 2.0 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine.
The mill is rated at 300 PS (296 hp or 221 kW) and 400 Nm of torque, which is less than the previous F60 Countryman JCW that offered 306 PS (302 hp or 225 kW) and 450 Nm. The U25 Countryman JCW’s outputs are now identical to the U11 X1 M35i xDrive, and both share the same 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5.4 seconds as well as a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The power reduction likely stems from the stringent emissions regulations in Europe. Outside the Old Continent, the United States and other selected markets get the X1 M35i with 317 PS (312 hp or 233 kW), and the latest Countryman JCW should follow suit.
Another change for the Countryman JCW is the use of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission – matching the X1 M35i – instead of an eight-speed torque converter automatic. The report by MotoringFile claims the torque rating of the Getrag-sourced DCT isn’t as high as the automatic unit by Aisin, which is another purported reason for the dip in power.
Besides the JCW, other internal combustion engine variants of the Countryman are the S All4 and C, while fully electric options are the E and SE. The latest Countryman was introduced simultaneously with the all-new, fifth-generation MINI Cooper Electric.
The all-new, third-generation MINI Countryman has been unveiled alongside the three-door bodystyle that is now known as the MINI Cooper which enters its fifth generation.
As with the MINI Cooper, the MINI Countryman wears a familiar shape that has been treated to a set of simplified details relative to its predecessor. Now measuring 4,433 mm long, 1,843 mm wide and 1,656 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,692 mm, the MINI Countryman has grown 60 mm taller and 130 mm longer.
Like its three-door stablemate, the third-generation MINI Countryman debuts with two electric powertrains, identified as the Countryman E and the Countryman SE All4.
The third-generation Countryman will also be offered with combustion engines; these will be the Countryman C with front-wheel-drive, the Countryman S ALL4 with all-wheel-drive, and a higher-performance variant in the Countryman JCW ALL4. Below are the specifications of the variants upon debut:
MINI Countryman E:
Electric motor output: 204 hp and 250 Nm
Battery capacity: 66.45 kWh
0-100 km/h time: 8.6 seconds
Top speed: 170 km/h
Range (WLTP): 462 km
MINI Countryman SE:
Electric motor output: 313 hp and 494 Nm
Battery capacity: 66.45 kWh
0-100 km/h time: 5.6 seconds
Top speed: 180 km/h
Range (WLTP): 433 km
MINI Countryman C:
Engine output: 170 hp, 280 Nm
0-100 km/h time: 8.3 seconds
Top speed: 211 km/h
MINI Countryman S ALL4:
Engine output: 218 hp, 360 Nm
0-100 km/h time: 7.1 seconds
Top speed: 227 km/h
MINI Countryman JCW ALL4:
Engine output: 300 hp, 400 Nm
0-100 km/h time: 5.4 seconds
Top speed: 248 km/h
For charging, both battery-electric variants of the MINI Countryman support AC charging at up to 22 kW, and DC fast charging at up to 130 kW, which will yield a 10-80% state of charge in just under 30 minutes, according to MINI.
Four trim options are offered for the Countryman – the Essential Trim, Classic Trim, Favoured Trim and the John Cooper Works (JCW) trim.
The Essential Trim emphasises “clarity and reduction”, says MINI, where black sports seats with patterned multi-tone cloth upholstery contrast with a textile band on the dashboard. Selected parts on the exterior and interior are highlighted with the Vibrant Silver contrast colour.
Next, the Classic Trim replaces the base two-spoke steering wheel with a three-spoke unit that features a textile strap on the lower, 6 o’clock position wheel spoke. Two-tone black and blue knitted textile provides contrast to the synthetic leather upholstery on the seats, which can be specified in a grey/black scheme with a perforated houndstooth pattern with contrasting blue textile sections.
The Favoured Trim is described by MINI as the most expressive of the trim range, where the Dark Petrol colour from the dashboard to the door panels are merged with brown knitted textile. In this trim, sports seats in perforated Vescin synthetic leather gets either light or dark accents.
Completing the quartet of trim options is the JCW Trim, which brings JCW trim-specific sports seats with additional lateral support for improved comfort, and are finished in multi-coloured knitted textile and black synthetic leather with red stitching, and this colour combination is echoed in the dashboard and door trim.
Instrumentation within the third-generation Countryman takes after that of the new MINI Cooper, where a 240 mm (9.4-inch) diameter OLED touchscreen – named the MINI Interaction Unit – resides in the centre of the dashboard, and functions on MINI Operating System 9 which also receives voice commands through the Intelligent Personal Assistant which responds to the ‘Hey MINI’ prompt, and is visually represented by the virtual companion, ‘Spike’.
The MINI Operating System 9 is itself an in-house development based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack, as with the setup in the new MINI Cooper.
Over to the second row, the rear seats in the new Countryman offer adjustment fore and aft by 130 mm, while its backrests are individually adjustable for tilt by 12 degrees in six positions. Upright, the luggage compartment offers 460 litres, or up to 1,450 litres with the rear seats folded.
In terms of driver assistance, the third-generation Countryman gets automatic active cruise control along with steering and lane assistant as part of the optional Driving Assistant Plus package. Alternatively, the Driving Assistant Professional package can be optioned to bring hands-free driving on motorways at up to 60 km/h, as long as traffic ahead is followed closely.
Offered as standard is the Trailer Assistant package that offers guidance with required steering inputs when reversing with a trailer hitched to the vehicle. The Countryman is also able to identify parking spaces and initiate space-restricted parking procedures.
As on the new MINI Cooper, the latest Countryman gets 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround-view cameras, and the optional Parking Assistant Professional can maneouvere the vehicle out of a parking space via smartphone with the new Remote Parking function.
Now with the expanded powertrain range offering combustion and fully electric options, which of these would be your pick? What do you think of the new, more minimalist styling? Let us know in the comments.
Following a teaser at the beginning of last month, MINI has revealed that the upcoming MINI Countryman will become fully electric and will be offered in two variants, according to MINI. Compared to the existing model, the third-generation crossover is 13 cm longer at 4,429 mm and has also grown almost 6 cm taller to 1,613 mm, which benefits headroom in the cabin, according to the company.
Production of the all-electric, third-generation MINI Countryman will commence in November this year at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig, Germany, and thus marks the first time a MINI model is produced in the country.
The aforementioned two variants of the upcoming Countryman will consist of the Countryman E, which packs a single-motor powertrain producing 191 hp sent to the front wheels, and the Countryman SE, featuring a dual-motor powertrain that outputs 313 hp driving all four wheels.
Powertrain for the Countryman SE is likely shared with the BMW iX1, which is currently offered in a sole xDrive30 variant. There is currently no single-motor variant of the iX1, so given that the BMW and MINI crossover models share the UKL (Unter Klasse) platform for transverse-engined models, the Countryman E could offer a glimpse at what a future ‘sDrive20’ variant of the BWM iX1 could offer in terms of powertrain.
Both the single-motor Countryman E and dual-motor Countryman SE are powered by a 64.7kWh battery pack; range is quoted as an estimated 450 km, which is likely to be the best figure between the two variants as offered by the more modestly powered single-motor variant.
The upcoming third-generation MINI Countryman is touted to have greater environmental consideration in its production, in addition to offering zero tailpipe emissions. This is achieved through doing away with “all decorative elements in the exterior and interior”, while its cast-alloy wheels are manufactured from 70% secondary aluminium, says MINI. The manufacturer’s use of green electricity also enables significant reduction of CO2 emissions compared with conventional processes, it said.
On the interior, recycled polyester sourced from PET bottles and carpet remnants are used to produce the surfaces of the dashboards, steering wheel, vehicle headliner and floor as well as its floor mats, here enabling the reduction of CO2 along the value chain by up to 85%, says MINI.
Beyond the vehicle itself, the Leipzig plant where the Countryman will be produced from November this year incorporates four 190 m-tall wind turbines for the generation of more than 20 GWh of electricity from wind power annually.
The on-site battery farm houses up to 700 second-life high-voltage batteries previously from BMW i3 vehicles, which store energy generated by the wind turbines. On-site energy storage enables the optimisation of local energy management, while helping keep the electricity grid stable, says MINI.
