MINI has released a teaser of the next-generation MINI Countryman crossover, which will be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain – the automaker’s first plug-in hybrid.
MINI has released a teaser of the next-generation MINI Countryman crossover, which will be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain – the automaker’s first plug-in hybrid.
MINI hasn’t released all the technical details about the plug-in hybrid system, but MINI does predict that the Countryman plug-in hybrid will be able to travel at speeds up to 77 mph in electric mode. The electric motor will power the rear wheels, while the combustion engine will power the front.
Related: BMW confirms electric MINI and X3 in the works
The automaker also says that the extra plug-in hybrid components won’t hurt the “go-kart driving characteristics” that MINI buses expect. Thanks to the eDrive components, which are positioned very low down at the rear, the car’s center of gravity is lowered and the weight is evenly balanced between the front and rear axle.
It’s expected that the next-generation Countryman will debut before the end of the year and go on sale sometime next year as a 2018 model.
Stay tuned.
Source: MINI
