The new Mini Countryman battery electric vehicle was revealed a few months ago, but the company has more up its sleeve for those who might not be ready to take a dive into the all-electric space. For them, this newly revealed John Cooper Works (JCW) Countryman will embody everything held dear about the Mini brand but in a more familiar configuration with a powerful gasoline engine providing power to all four wheels.
The compact crossover space is crowded to the point that choosing one can be a daunting task, but Mini's unique styling aspects and eccentricities have always set it apart.
Right from its launch in early 2001, the renewed Mini brand has embodied the distinct design, compact proportions, and go-kart-like handling that made the original Coopers automotive icons. The Countryman brought this philosophy to the family crossover, offering more space, comfort, and power in a sensible and practical package that would appeal to a larger demographic.
For fans of the last Countryman, the good news is that the design of the new generation is a clear evolution without any radical departures from the core aspects that make a Mini a Mini, including distinctive headlights, a large horseshoe-shaped grille that recalls the original Coopers, tidy proportions with small overhangs, and the wheels pushed out to the corners of the body.
The new Countryman has grown in length, width, height, and wheelbase. It is significantly larger than the last generation, addressing the main complaint customers had with the tight confines in their Countrymans.
The 2025 Mini JCW Countryman will get the most powerful drivetrain in the lineup with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that will produce 312 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, up 11 hp but down 36 lb-ft of torque. With the lower torque figure, the new JCW will be a touch slower to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h at 5.4 seconds, versus 5.1 seconds for the last-generation model. This is partly due to the improved aerodynamics, which brings the drag coefficient down to 0.26, making it one of the most slippery cars in its class.
Inside, the Mini takes on an even more minimalist look than before, with the large circular centre screen being the focal point and using OLED technology now for a crisp, bright look with impressive visuals. The dashboard is covered in a recycled textile, which feels great to the touch and red and black accents on the door panels, dash, and new sport seats are a nod to Mini’s racing heritage.
Other cues to Mini’s heritage are redesigned toggle switches, which also help control the new “drive experience” modes including a new “go-kart” mode that is said to provide a “particularly sporty driving experience.”
Based on the new BMW X1, the Mini JCW Countryman should offer a premium feel with an extremely rigid chassis that should maintain the sporty “go-kart” like feel the company tries to bake into all its products.
The Mini JCW Countryman is expected to go on sale by May 2024, and Canadian pricing will start at $56,290, about $3,600 more than the current model.
We will provide more details along with driving impressions when the cars become available to review.
You may also like
