FUTURE MODELS
Mini model goes for maxi green credits
Plug-in hybrid power to join Countryman family, writes Michael Taylor
An emissions-free version of Mini’s biggest car will join the petrol-and diesel-powered line-up later in 2017, although it is unlikely to make it to SA before 2018. Based on the engineering of BMW’s plug-in hybrid X1, the Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 will offer 41km of zero-emissions driving on battery power alone before it needs to swing its three-cylinder petrol engine into operation. It will deliver its all-wheel drive grip by having the internal combustion engine driving the front wheels and the electric motor driving the rear wheels. Two motors With the synchronous electric motor sitting on the rear axle, it means the Mini Cooper S E Countryman actually turns into a rear-wheel drive when it’s running in pure electric mode. It also means the hybrid can run as either a front-, rear-or all-wheel drive depending on the power and grip demands. Combined, the car’s two motors deliver a system power of 165kW and 385Nm of torque — both numbers well above the 141kW and 280Nm punched o...
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