The Countryman E – MINI’s Longest Range EV & Why It’s Not Coming to North America
The electric MINI Countryman E may not have the power numbers of the range topping SE, but what does have might just be more important to most buyers – range. Which begs the question – why isn’t North America seeing MINI’s longest range electric vehicle?
What makes the Countryman E MIN’s long range champ starts with what it doesn’t have – two motors. While the E packs the same battery as the SE, it lacks the rear motor which allows it to focus less on performance and more on efficiency. Let’s look at the stats.
| Countryman E | Countryman SE | MINI Cooper E | MINI Cooper SE | MINI Aceman E | MINI Aceman SE | |
| Power | 204 hp | 313 hp | 184 bhp | 218 hp | 184 bhp | 218 hp |
| Battery Size | 66.5 kWh | 66.5 kWh | 42.5 kWh | 54.2 kWh | 42.5 kWh | 54.2 kWh |
| Usable Battery | 63.78 kWh | 63.78 kWh | 38.5 kWh | 49.2 kWh | 38.5 kWh | 49.2 kWh |
| WLTP Range – Europe | 273 miles | 261 miles | 190 miles | 250 miles | 193 miles | 254 miles |
| EPA Range – United States (estimated) | 213 miles | 204 miles | 148 miles | 195 miles | 151 miles | 198 miles |
Importantly without that rear motor, the Countryman E is front wheel drive only. However there’s a big upside to that omission. The E weighs in at 4,112 lbs. That sounds heavy until you realize the SE is 4,409 lbs – nearly 300 lbs heavier.
Despite the weight reduction, the E can’t quite match the SE’s acceleration figures with a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 8.6 seconds. That’s a full 3 seconds off the 5.6 figure the SE delivers. In other words the Countryman E may feel agile and fun to drive but it is not a drag strip winner. Instead it’s focus is on efficiency and getting the most miles out of it’s 66.45 kWh battery pack.
Like the SE, four new vehicle trims are available for the MINI Countryman E which create numerous options for individualization in the exterior and interior. The car pictures here is clad with the Favoured Trim which features the matte Vibrant Silver on the roof and mirrors. In the interior, the Favoured Trim offers the JCW sports seats (a must in our opinion) and a the thick sports steering wheel with a textile strap instead of the six o’clock spoke.
MINI has gone to great lengths to allow any model have just about any look. Whether its Classic, Favoured or even JCW (Sport in the UK), MINI hasn’t held any visual options back on the Countryman E.
The same goes for the technology on hand. Like all other Countryman, level 2 autonomy is offered as an option.
Why the MINI Countryman E isn’t Coming to North America
Based on our sources, MINI USA and MINI of Canada aren’t importing the Countryman E because it lacks one critical option – all wheel drive. Given the customer feedback that most North American consumers expect all wheel drive in a crossover, MINI USA and MINI CA decided to focus solely on the more powerful, all wheel drive Countryman SE.
That may change if a case could be made for the cheaper, longer range E. But for the time being North America won’t be seeing MINI’s longest range electric vehicle.
MINI Countryman E Photo Gallery
This is a shame, because I think range is king in most EV drivers’ minds. Then you look at the estimated EPA numbers for the Countryman E and SE and it’s only a difference of 9 miles.
Does this crossover-SUV-must-have-AWD argument mean we’re not getting the Aceman either? Because it’s a compact crossover with no AWD.
I’m not understanding MINI’s US EV strategy here, and I know they couldn’t foresee US-China relations back when they started development of these vehicles, but…
Claim you’ll be all electric by 2030, but then only release the Countryman with subpar range for its category with no other battery options, only make an electric Cooper with two doors reducing its utility and forcing customers to upgrade to the Aceman, but then not making that model available because it doesn’t have AWD and if it did it would cut into the Countryman’s sales because they practically have the same range! Then don’t make a move to produce the Cooper or the Aceman in Mexico despite having a BMW plant there, which would reduce their costs and make them qualify for the $7,500 tax credit and instead only produce them in the UK, which really doesn’t affect their overall cost.
Did I cover everything? Sorry for the speculation, but MINI’s communication in these matters is infuriating.
So the vehicle isn’t coming because of a feature virtually no one really uses or needs. Well Mini, small wonder you’re not happy with your sales when you’re withholding inventory.
I think MINIUSA would simply point to sales figures for FWD Countryman as their answer. If they don’t believe they’ll sell why bring them over would be their argument. Not that we completely agree with that.