BMW has announced its intention to build several all-electric models based off of current or upcoming cars. Notably in the list is the BMW X1 which underpins the MINI Countryman. What does that mean for MINI and can we expect an Electric Countryman? Let’s dissect.

In short this news aligns well with the rumors we’ve heard for the past few years. Sources have indicated that MINI does indeed intend to create an all electric version of the next generation Countryman. That 3rd generation Countryman is set to debut in late 2022 and we’d expect this all electric version to hit showrooms the following year.

The drivetrain, performance and range are still a mystery, but we can take clues in the just released iX3. That vehicle uses a new electric drivetrain and produces 282bhp and offers a WLTP range of 285 miles. MINI’s footprint would likely mean fewer batteries, but also less weight. So range and performance might not be that different.

Read on for the full press release.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

The BMW Group is already a leading provider of electrified vehicles: By the end of 2021, the BMW Group will offer five fully-electric production vehicles: the BMW i3*, the MINI Cooper SE*, the BMW iX3*, the BMW iNEX T and the BMW i4. Another milestone will be the upcoming generation of the BMW 7 Series. The BMW brand flagship will be available with four different drive technologies: with a highly efficient diesel or petrol engine with 48-volt technology, as an electrified plug-in hybrid and, for the first time, as a fully-electric BEV model. The company will have 25 electrified models on the roads by 2023 – half of them fully electric.

In addition to the BMW 7 Series, comprehensive electrification will be rolled out throughout the model line-up: Further examples of the “Power of Choice” will be the high-volume BMW X1 and BMW 5 Series, which will also be available in the future with all four drive train variants – fully-electric, plug-in hybrid, diesel and petrol with 48-volt technology.

The BMW Group also began utilising its vehicles’ extensive connectivity to increase the amount of electric driving by plug-in hybrids this year. Models with eDrive Zones technology automatically switch to pure electric mode as soon as they enter a pre-defined green zone in about 80 European cities already. As availability expands to more countries and cities, it will be possible to increase the amount of electric driving by plug-in hybrids in a growing number of city areas.

As part of its Efficient Dynamics strategy, the BMW Group will also continue its work on reducing the fuel consumption of conventional drive trains and making them more efficient. The ongoing rollout of 48-volt technology is another element of CO2 reduction.