Third-Generation Mini Countryman Production Starts, India Launch in 2024

BMW Group-owned British Luxury carmaker Mini has commenced producing its third-generation Mini Countryman SUV. The automobile group announced that the new Mini Countryman had entered production in the Leipzig manufacturing facility. The SUV is manufactured alongside the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series at the plant. The third-generation Mini SUV was unveiled earlier this year and has entered production.

The new Mini Countryman SUV will go on sale globally by 2024. The model is also expected to register its presence in the Indian market by replacing the current Countryman, priced at Rs 53.50 lakh, ex-showroom.

Mini Countryman SUV Exterior

The new Countryman is expected to be larger than its predecessors, getting 130 mm of extra length and 60 mm of additional height. The increase in dimensions of the SUV is the automaker’s strategy to introduce its slightly smaller Mini Aceman crossover SUV, which will be positioned below the Countryman SUV.

With the launch of the third-gen Mini Countryman, the automaker aims to attract new luxury car buyers and retain the existing customers of Mini cars. Talking about the exterior, the SUV will come with a clear design evolution over the previous generations. The SUV boasts a new octagonal front grille and updated headlamps and taillights.

Mini Countryman SUV Interior

Inside the cabin of the Mini Countryman SUV, the automaker has offered an identical touchscreen display, similar to that available in Cooper. However, an enlarged center console now gives place to larger cupholders and provides more legroom area for rear passengers. The automaker has also improved the boot space and rear backrest. The new Mini SUV will be the first car from this BMW-owned luxury car brand to offer Level 2 ADAS features, including semi-automated driving up to 60 kmph.

Mini Countryman SUV Powertrain

The third-gen Mini Countryman offers customers three turbocharged petrol engines and two electric powertrain options. For electric options, the car buyers have a choice between a single motor and RWD variant that provides 201 bhp and 250 Nm of torque and a dual-motor AWD variant with 308 bhp power and 494 Nm of torque. The base model of the electric Countryman SUV accelerates 0-100 kmph in 8.6 seconds with a top speed of 170 km, while the high-spec model achieves 0-100 kmph in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 180 km. Both models are powered by a 66.45 kWh battery pack delivering up to 462 km and 433 km range, respectively.

For petrol options, a 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine powers front wheels and delivers 167 bhp of maximum power output. There is also a 2.0-liter turbo petrol engine capable of delivering 215 bhp, powering all four wheels. The JCW trim of the Countryman SUV gets the same 2.0-liter engine, but it makes up 296 bhp of power output and 400 Nm of maximum torque. The model can accelerate 0-100 kmph in just 4.5 seconds.