2017 Mini Countryman Review: Release Date, Complete Specs, Price Revealed; New SUV To Be A Hybrid Upgrade?

MINI has now officially confirmed that its first ever plug-in countryman hybrid model is going to hit the roads pretty soon. Although the Auto manufacturer has not given an official statement yet, still based on the press photos that were released earlier it's pretty clear that the new camouflaged prototype Hybrid is based on the next-generation Mini Countryman crossover.

The new Hybrid Upgrade of the Mini Countryman gasoline-electric model will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month. MINI bosses have already teased the second-generation model in the form of the all-new 2017 MINI Countryman, plugged into the mains.

MINI has officially confirmed its first ever plug-in hybrid model is on the way. Meet the all-new 2017 MINI Countryman. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/QOHVjAAwg1

— Ridgeway MINI (@RidgewayMINI) October 17, 2016

Complete Specs And Features:

While the British Auto-manufacturer has been silent about the powertrain feature in the new Mini Countryman Hybrid, the SUV can be expected to be powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine which is coupled with additional battery assistance. The electric motor is reported to power the rear wheels while the petrol engine will run the front wheels, allowing for an intelligent all-wheel drive that gets activated as soon as the car loses its grip.

Powertrain:

While the petrol engine will give an output of 134 Horse Power alone, the 7.6-kWh battery provides an all-electric driving range of about 25 miles. This makes the total system output to be a worth noting 221 HP. The 2017 Mini Countryman based on the same platform as that of the BMW X1, will make for a through-the-road all-wheel drive with its rear-mounted 87-HP electric motor. MINI has also revealed earlier that the hybrid is capable of acceleration up to 78mph in the pure EV mode.

Design:

The chassis and suspension for the Hybrid Countryman have remained unchanged over the standard Countryman. The electric components have been balanced across both the front and the rear axles for a better weight distribution. The SUV's drivetrain will feature three modes: Save Battery mode, Max eDrive Mode, and an Auto eDrive Mode to maintain the balance between petrol and electric power.

Looks:

The Countryman's styling, however, has hardly changed. A new redesign approach wasn't that necessary as the existing car is a best-seller itself. Press Pictures, released earlier, clearly indicate that the front end is still square-edged although it has a more muscular look than the other MINIs. While the side profile is very similar to the earlier model, new rugged wheel-arches, and a lower body cladding will definitely give the 2017 Mini Countryman, the appeal it needs.

2017 #Mini #Countryman spyshots reveal fresh details https://t.co/x2OwIuLFVC pic.twitter.com/cUZNKnedBh — Indian Autos Blog (@indianautos) October 18, 2016

What else is new in the new Countryman Hybrid?

The Countryman is probably the oldest model in the MINI SUV line-up and there are a lot of expectations with this new hybrid model. The most visible change to the Countryman is clearly the increase in its size. The car is about 4.2 meters in length with a longer wheelbase, allowing a much larger interior space.

As the Manufacturer wants the new SUV to look like any other Countryman, the only minor changes are the new tell-tale signs, a starter button that flashes yellow and a power reserve meter in place of the earlier rev-counter.

Along with the hybrid powertrain, the new Mini Countryman will reportedly get the similar petrol and diesel engines as that of the Clubman and MINI hatch. The entry-level Cooper will have the three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo, whereas, Cooper S and John Cooper Works models will get a more powerful four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo delivering 228bhp.

The hybrid is expected to hit the market with a price just over £30,000 and will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show later this month. Stay tuned to SWR for more updates and the latest news on 2017 Mini Countryman features, and release date.