Like it or loathe it, it's the norm nowadays for cars to increase dramatically in size between generations, and that's exactly what has happened with the Mini Countryman. It's now the largest Mini ever built. And that's not all. The most powerful Mini yet? Check. The fastest Mini yet? Also check.
Some might argue that its size goes against everything the Mini brand represents, but that's not what we're here to discuss - and it shouldn't come into the argument of whether this all-new, all-electric Countryman is a good product.
Speaking of which, here we're testing the range-topping SE All4, which has a 65kWh battery and an electric motor on each axle, giving it four-wheel drive, 308bhp and 364lb ft of torque. It's the same system offered by BMW's iX1 and iX2 electric SUVs, with which the Countryman shares its platform.
Driving the SE is a pleasing experience, and it stands out against many of its rivals in terms of dynamics and performance. After all, 308bhp is as much as the Audi S3 has and nothing to be sniffed at. It means this car can hit 0-62mph in 5.6sec - far quicker than the single-motor, front-wheel-drive Countryman E (8.6sec).
Esta historia es de la edición June 05, 2024 de Autocar UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 05, 2024 de Autocar UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
THE DRAMATIC ITALIAN THAT MARKED THE END OF AN ERA
When the Huracán bowed out, the curtain fell forever on Lambo's V10
HOW EV MAKERS CAN WIN THE RACE TO 5.0MPKWH
Manufacturers are honing every detail to close in on big efficiency goal
MASERATI MC20
We bid a sad farewell to a handsome supercar that was easy to live with
The quickening
Instant acceleration is part of the appeal of an EV, but is it all getting a bit much for unwary and inexperienced drivers? JOHN EVANS investigates
Inside track
Watching an F1 race with live access to engineers and telemetry is the stuff of dreams for racing fans. ALEX WOLSTENHOLME makes a day of it
WHOLE IN ONE
The Volkswagen Golf has been all things to all motorists for half a century. At the wheel of a classic Mk1, VICKY PARROTT charts the eight-generation history of one of the world's most successful cars
DACIA DUSTER
Mk3 model gains digital tech, ADAS, slicker looks... Is this mission creep?
MAZDA CX-80 PHEV
Another look at Mazda's hefty SUV, this time in plug-in hybrid form
VAUXHALL GRANDLAND ELECTRIC
Newcomer looks to ease the average family SUV driver into EV motoring
BMW X3 20 XDRIVE
Fourth generation of brand's best-seller arrives with base petrol engine