The new MINI Countryman, now styled as an electric crossover SUV, is scheduled to go into production at the Leipzig factory in late 2023. There will be gas-powered versions as well, Mini says publishing the first official photos of a prototype.
This will mark the first time a Mini car is manufactured by BMW in Leipzig, including the body and some powertrain parts. A new industrial site 150,000 square meters (1.6 million square feet) large is scheduled for construction at the same location by 2024, and is expected to cost the company around €800 million in investment.
Chances are good that the all-electric Countryman will utilize the same powertrain as the BMW iX1 shown in the video below. A pair of motors joining efforts for 313 PS (309 hp / 230 kW) and 494 Nm (364 lb-ft) of torque take the iX1 from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds.
If true, it would make the Countryman the British marque’s most powerful production car on record. Aside from the EV version, the model will ship with 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines rated above 200 horsepower (150 kilowatts) in the top spec.
The new generation will also be much larger than the old one, with the rumors claiming it’s at least 200 mm (8 inches) longer. This should result in more legroom for everyone inside and more trunk space, too.
The reveal date remains to be announced.