With the recent European press launch MINI announced that the order books for the new Mini Countryman hybrid are officially open. They also took the opportunity to drop a full photo shoot on us. Given that we’ve had zero photos of the MINI’s first hybrid since the initial launch in November, this is our best look yet at the new car.

In the US the MINI Countryman Hybrid will retail for $36,800. That puts the hybrid just below the JCW Countryman but above every other Countryman.

MINI Countryman HybridMINI Countryman Hybrid

The base MSRP of $36,800 (plus $850 D&H) is just part of the story. Depending on customers’ income tax situations, they may be able to receive a $4000 federal income tax credit for purchasing a new plug-in hybrid, which would bring the effective net cost down to $32,800. This can decrease even further for customers in certain states where additional incentives are available.

The Countryman Hybrid is also a performance powerhouse with a 0-60 time of 6.7 seconds – .3 under the Cooper S.

The 2018 MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is extremely well equipped as standard. Although the standard content is similar to that of a conventional Cooper S Countryman or Cooper S Countryman ALL4, there are several key differences due to the PHEV’s unique technology.

– 6-speed Automatic Transmission
– LED Headlights with Cornering Lights and LED Fog Lights
– 18″ Pair Spoke silver wheels
– Heated Sport Seats with Leatherette
– Comfort Access keyless entry
– 6.5” Visual Boost screen w/MINI Connected
– Enhanced Bluetooth w/audio streaming dual
– Dual-zone automatic climate control
– Rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic headlights
– Split-folding (but not sliding) rear seats
– MINI Driving Modes
– MINI Excitement Package

What about the manual transmission? As we expected this is the first MINI ever to not be offered with a manual transmission.

The Countryman Hybrid will begin production in June and should hit US showrooms in the middle of July.