The electric Mini Countryman crossover is set to go farther on a charge thanks to a newly developed inverter.
The third-generation Mini Countryman made its debut in 2023, with the all-electric versions arriving first. Now the brand has announced updated Countryman E and Countryman SE All4 models, due to go on sale in March, featuring improved driving range.
According to Mini, the crossovers are fitted with a new silicon-carbide-based inverter, which reduces energy losses when converting direct current from the battery into alternating current for the electric motors. The front wheels also receive newly designed bearings with lower friction, cutting rolling resistance. In addition, the traction battery has been updated: while total capacity remains 66.5 kWh, usable capacity has increased from 64.6 to 65.2 kWh.
As a result, the Mini Countryman E now offers up to 311 miles of range on the WLTP cycle, up from about 287 miles previously. The dual-motor Countryman SE All4 sees its range climb to roughly 290 miles, compared with about 269 miles before. Thanks to DC fast charging, the battery can be replenished from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes.
No other technical changes have been announced, suggesting the rest of the hardware remains the same. The front-wheel-drive Countryman E uses a single electric motor producing 204 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 8 seconds and reach a top speed of about 106 mph.
The all-wheel-drive Countryman SE All4 features a dual-motor setup with a combined output of up to 313 horsepower and 364 lb-ft of torque, cutting the 0–60 mph time to around 5.3 seconds and raising top speed to approximately 112 mph.
In the UK, the Mini Countryman E is currently priced from £33,005 (about $45,500), before a government incentive worth £3,750 (roughly $5,200). The Countryman SE All4 starts at £36,505, or around $50,300.