MINI is set to get its share of the electric vehicles market. The 2017 Mini Countryman is confirmed to be the first PHEV of Mini set to officially launched later this October or in November. Mini has already released first official photos to tease their audience showing the camouflaged vehicle plugged into an electric car charger.
In recent months several spy photos of the Mini Countryman PHEV has been published online in which it has shown firsthand how it is being the development of a plug-in hybrid variant of that model. Now the first official photos of the hybrid has been revealed by Mini as well as some details on it. The photos show the camouflaged vehicle plugged into an electric car charger and more.
Aesthetically and with respect to the base model, on the outside, there will be no radical changes. While logos and other distinctive details to let us know that this is not a conventional mechanical vehicle will be present, there's really not much change outside but rather on the inside. BMW announced that a new infotainment system will be available for this hybrid car.
Check out the gallery of the official photos at Auto Express UK
The hybrid system that will propel the MINI Countryman PHEV will consist of a combustion engine acting on the front axle and by a small electric motor that will intervene on the rear axle. Therefore, it will offer a configuration of four - wheel drive. In purely electric mode and thanks to its lithium-ion battery, it will have a capacity of 7.7 kWh may travel up to 41 kilometers. The battery is installed just below the rear seats to avoid subtracting the minimum possible space.
As anticipated, the hybrid configuration will be the same as using the BMW Active Tourer 225xe engine of 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol as reported by IBTimes. The cars have been developed alongside each other by parent company BMW and it is to no surprise that they will have the same engine. Although it remains to see if the power to throw the system will be the same. If so, the hybrid will enjoy a total power of 224 hp and 285 Nm of torque.
Charging times are not yet known, but for reference, BMW claims the 225xe's battery can be filled to 100% in three hours and 15 minutes from a regular wall plug, and the mini countryman hybrid may be the same too.
The arrival of the first hybrid MINI is just the first release of a range of models with mechanical electrification. There will be more hybrids ahead and as recently published, the brand also plans to launch a full electric MINI. Some years ago MINI conducted various tests with 100% electric prototype called MINI E, and it seems that seeing what the competition is doing, the BMW Group has decided to market it .
The hybrid may be formally announced at the Los Angeles motor show in November
Due to be formally unveiled later in October and likely shown at the Los Angeles motor show in November, the 2017 MINI Countryman was teased by the company in a series of promotional images.
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