With a plug-in hybrid available for the first time ever in a MINI, company car drivers looking for a low-tax, petrol-fuelled Countryman will have the option of the Cooper S E ALL4 by the end of June 2017 – costing £31,585 (before any government plug-in car grant).
Propelled by a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor, power is sent to all four wheels with a combined output of 224hp. A six-speed automatic is the only gearbox available, but the Countryman will manage to complete the 0-62mph sprint in a quick 6.8 seconds.
With both petrol and electric motors working at different speeds to power the MINI Countryman, the electric motor supplies power up to 50mph. Once above this speed, the petrol engine cuts in to assist the electric motor, although the driver can select MAX eDRIVE mode to maintain pure electric drive up to a maximum of 78mph.
The official fuel consumption figure reaches just over 134mpg, while the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 has a claimed electric-only range of 25 miles.
The battery can be charged from a conventional household socket, but a specific wallbox or public charging station can reduce charging times down to 2hrs 15mins and 3hrs 15 mins.
With CO2 emissions of 49g/km, the E Countryman ALL4 sits in the 9% BIK tax band, equating to a monthly cost of £47 for a 20% taxpayer and £95 for a 40% taxpayer.
Based on the high-spec Cooper S model, standard equipment includes:
- Satellite navigation
- Bluetooth connectivity and USB port
- Cruise control
- MINI drive modes to select between electric-only or hybrid power
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- E badges on the radiator grille and side scuttles
- Door sill plates with yellow S logo (rather than red)
The battery comes with a six-year or 60,000 mile warranty.
