Over 500 kilometres of range: Mini makes the electric Countryman more efficient

Mini first unveiled the fully electric Countryman at the IAA 2023, and since March 2024, the electric variant has been produced in series at the BMW plant in Leipzig. It is available as the Countryman E with front-wheel drive and the Countryman SE ALL4 with an electric all-wheel-drive system comprising two motors. Two years after the start of production—in March 2026—BMW’s Mini brand will introduce a minor update for the model, focusing more on technology than design.

The core drive variants remain unchanged, but efficiency and, consequently, range have been improved through detailed enhancements. According to the parent company, this is achieved via a combination of several ‘innovative technical solutions.’ A key highlight is the new inverter, which will use silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors in future models. Compared to semiconductors made of pure silicon, SiC components are more efficient, reducing power losses. When converting direct current from the battery into alternating current for the electric motors, efficiency improves, and less energy is lost as heat. Additionally, low-friction wheel bearings on the front axle reduce rolling resistance, further contributing to the overall optimisation.

The battery has also been modified: its net capacity has been increased to 65.2 kWh, ‘enabling more usable energy,’ according to BMW. In other words, the gross energy content remains unchanged at 66.5 kWh, as used in the BMW iX1 and iX2. However, there is slightly more usable energy available in the electric Countryman (and likely soon in its other models). Previously, the net energy content was stated as 64.6 kWh. The additional 600 watt-hours of energy, at a WLTP consumption of around 16 kWh/100 km, translates to an extra 3.75 kilometres of standard range.

However, the overall increase in range is significantly greater, indicating that the efficiency measures—such as the SiC inverters and new wheel bearings—have a more substantial effect. The Countryman E now achieves up to 501 kilometres under WLTP, compared to the 462 kilometres stated at its world premiere. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive Countryman SE ALL4 will now be listed with 467 kilometres instead of 433 kilometres. The battery’s charging behaviour remains unchanged: under ideal conditions, the Countryman can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes at a DC fast-charging station.

BMW has not announced any changes to the drive systems’ power outputs, so the specifications remain as before: the Countryman E delivers 150 kW and 250 Nm of torque with a single electric motor on the front axle, while the all-wheel-drive version offers a system output of 230 kW and 494 Nm.

Visually, the updated model is barely distinguishable, with BMW referring only to ‘specific design elements and aerodynamic optimisations.’

“A particularly expressive example is the exclusive Favoured Trim, which presents the model with stylish accents in Vibrant Silver,” the statement reads. “Combined with the Blazing Blue body colour, the vehicle roof and mirror caps in Vibrant Silver, as well as the 20-inch light-alloy wheels in the Windmill Spoke Design, it gives the Mini Countryman a dynamic and modern appearance.” With a drag coefficient (cW) of 0.26, the design ‘significantly contributes to efficiency and range.’

The carmaker has not announced any new prices, so we do not expect any significant changes. According to the German configurator, the Countryman E is available from €38,120, while the Countryman SE ALL4 can be configured from €43,320.

Source: Information via email (in German)