2019 Mini Countryman Plug-in Hybrid price and features announced

Mini has announced that its first-ever electrified SUV, the Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, is now on sale in Australia wearing a retail price of $57,200.

It’s the first zero-emissions model for the Mini brand to enter showrooms in this country, boasting a full-charge range of 40km from its 7.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack – enough for the average Australian to drive from home to work and back without having to run the car’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol three-cylinder engine.

With the combustion engine and electric motor working in concert, the Mini Countryman PHEV can travel for around 500km before refuelling, with an average fuel consumption of 2.1 L/100km.

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However, disciplined charging could see owners spend the bulk of their time driving under electric power alone – thereby dodging the petrol price cycle and performing the bulk of their commuting on cheap household energy.

The petrol engine is essentially the same as that used by the base model Countryman Cooper, making 100kW and 220Nm and sending power to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic. However, the rear-mounted electric motor not only adds an all-wheel drive capability, but also produces 65kW and 165Nm on its own.

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ANALYSIS: what makes more financial sense, EV or combustion?

Combined, both powertrains deliver a total output of 165kW and 385Nm, sending the Countryman PHEV to 100km/h in a brisk 6.9 seconds – 2.7 seconds quicker than the entry-level Countryman, and about as fast as the Countryman Cooper S.

Meanwhile, charging time for the Countryman PHEV’s battery takes three hours and 15 minutes from an ordinary 10-amp household power point, or an hour less if charged by a dedicated wall box charger.

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Features

It might be the second-most expensive Countryman in the range, priced just $700 under the flagship Countryman JCW, but the Countryman PHEV nevertheless totes a good amount of equipment as standard. Dual zone climate control, an 8.8-inch colour touchscreen, satellite navigation, digital radio, active cruise control, AEB, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are included.

There are some compromises though. Total seats-up boot capacity drops by 45 litres to 405 litres, presumably to accommodate the battery pack and rear-mounted electric motor. With the seats flipped down, there’s nevertheless a generous 1275L of cargo volume to exploit.

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Pricing

The Countryman Plug-In Hybrid is available now, with retail pricing as follows:

• 2019 Mini Countryman Plug-In Hybrid - $57,200