PLUG-IN NEEDS PAY-OFF
The Countryman Hybrid has its pluses but comes at a hefty premium
As the process of swapping fossil-fuel engines for electric motors gathers pace, the world’s car companies are now committed — like it or not — to the change-over. It will be a gradual process, perhaps taking up to 50 years.
Some manufacturers will take longer than others to electrify the full line-up. A few will go broke because they are old dogs that can’t do this new trick.
Mini is a natural for electrification — as BMW’s niche, image-driven brand, it pitches small cars to a young, urban-based, tech-savvy audience. In July, these pages reported comments by Peter Schwartzenbauer, the man in charge of BMW Group’s electric car strategy, that “electrifying Mini is the right way to go”.
Next year the pure electric Cooper SE three-door hatch arrives. BMW, in partnership with Chinese brand Great Wall, will produce the Rocketman, a very groovy mini-Mini EV, from 2022.
You have to start somewhere and today we’re in Mini’s first EV, the Countryman Plugin Hybrid.
VALUE
The Countryman, launched in 2011, is Mini’s SUV. Prices start at $42,200 for the 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo/seven-speed dual-clutch/ front-wheel drive Cooper.
You can also have a 2.0-litre turbo diesel with front or all-wheel drive (from $46,200) or a 2.0-litre turbo from $49,200.
The Countryman Cooper SE Plug-in Hybrid costs $57,200, so you’re paying a hefty premium to join the EV club. You’re not exactly getting pointy-end EV engineering, either.
BMW’s 1.5-litre, matched with a six-speed auto, drives the front wheels. The hybrid bit consists of an electric motor, powered by a 7.6kWh lithium ion battery, that turns the rear wheels.
In EV world, kWh — that is, kilowatt hours — is the measure of battery storage capacity, which determines how far you can drive. Mini’s relatively low-capacity battery is claimed to give you up to 40km but the maximum I could achieve was closer to 20km. That’s at the not very far end of plug-in hybrid territory.
So for many people, the Countryman won’t deliver the plug-in pay-off — being able to drive a pure EV around town and a petrol-electric hybrid on longer journeys.
In Auto mode, running on petrol and electricity, the test Countryman returned 4L5L/100km in town and 6-7L/100km on the freeway. Again, nothing special for a plug-in. Mini claims 2.1L/100km. Good luck with that.
Hyundai’s Ioniq plug in, with an 8.9kWh battery, can do 40km-60km on volts alone and averages 3.0L-3.5L/100km in hybrid mode. It costs $41,990.
On the plus side, the Mini’s battery is quick to recharge. Plugged into a household power point, it took about three hours from seven per cent capacity to full.
COMFORT
As an SUV variant, the Countryman gets more compliant suspension than other Minis and on any surface the ride is smooth, quiet and comfortable.
You face the unique retro-look Mini dash, with a big, round central infotainment screen where the 1959 original’s speedo used to live. The modern version (still analog) is in a small instrument binnacle attached to the steering column.
There’s plenty of front seat space, clear vision around the car, a heavily bolstered seat with clumsy manual backrest adjustment, a couple of USB sockets and a shortage of covered storage.
Firm and elevated, the rear bench has reasonable legroom, an adjustable backrest and a couple of USBs and vents — so it’s a great space for kids.
SAFETY
Mini(mal) safety tech. Hipsters must be great drivers. Adaptive cruise can crawl along in traffic all by itself.
DRIVING
In Auto mode, electric torque gets the car rolling, before turbo torque takes over. It’s a smooth, refined operation, even if the hybrid hardware makes this one fat Mini (at 1.7 tonnes).
Acceleration is pretty respectable in Sport mode. Mini claims 6.9 seconds for 0-100km/h, the same as the 2.0-litre turbo Cooper S automatic.
If fuel economy is more important than performance, select Eco mode, which dulls throttle response and gives you a claimed range of up to 500km.
Drive is seamless, no matter where it’s coming from or which end it goes to. In Auto mode, though, the battery is quickly depleted. Save Battery mode keeps the battery charged but isn’t that rather defeating the purpose of a plug-in hybrid? The battery is there to be used, isn’t it?
The Countryman feels tall and bulky compared with the Mini hatch — and it’s certainly no go kart — but it still handles with security and confidence on rough roads at speed. Uncommunicative, imprecise steering at highway speeds and touchy, wooden brakes in town — typical of EVs — are unfortunate traits you don’t expect in a Mini.
HEART SAYS
I’m so woke I never sleep. Mini’s EV is the car for people like me.
HEAD SAYS
In an ocean of forgettable, mediocre SUVs, the Countryman’s signature design and driving enjoyment are worth paying extra for. I’ll choose the plug-in to help save the planet.
ALTERNATIVES
Due next year, Ford’s Escape plug-in runs a 2.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, with 14.4kWh battery and claimed electric-only driving range “in excess of 50km”. No pricing details as yet but it should be about $50K.
A petrol-electric hybrid, not a plug-in, so it has no electric-only capability beyond a kilometre or so on a very light throttle. Still, it will return 5L-6L/100km in town and 7L on the highway. A beautifully sorted, efficient, safe SUV.