2011 - Mini Countryman on 2040-cars

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Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid out for a snowy stroll

When Mini launched the Countryman in 2010, it emerged as the brand's first all-wheel-drive model. Now there's a new Countryman on the way, and it's also set to mark a Mini first by incorporating not just a mild hybrid system, but a plug-in hybrid powertrain. And that's just what we're looking at here. How do we know this prototype is packing a hybrid powertrain, you ask? A fair question, and we'll tell you: because the manufacturer chose to mark "Hybrid Test Vehicle" on the door. And because parent company BMW is already known to be working on a PHEV system for the 2 Series Active Tourer on which the new Mini crossover will be based, it's fairly safe to say it won't be developing a separate system for the Countryman. Expect the hybrid mega-Mini to combine a 1.5-liter inline-three driving 136 horsepower to the front wheels, and an electric motor good for another 102 hp on the rear wheels for through-the-road all-wheel drive and a combined output of nearly 240 hp. That's more than even the John Cooper Works performance model has offered. Scope out the spy shots in the gallery above, where you'll also find an interior shot of a conventional next-gen Countryman.

2025 Mini Cooper E and SE fully revamped and revealed at Munich Motor Show

The 2025 Mini Cooper E and Cooper SE are here, and as you can tell by the names, Mini is starting with the electric models.  For better or worse, the new Mini Cooper design inside and out (no longer called “Hardtop") is one of the worst-kept secrets as of late. However, now we have all the official imagery of the 3-door EV, and we even got to see the car in person before the Munich Motor Show reveal. The Mini is thankfully still mini with an even shorter length than before, as the new Countryman is the one to get supersized. Its design slants toward minimalism, but it still highlights key features such as the round LED headlights, contrast roof and mirror colors and classic proportions. The lights – both in front and rear – even feature three customizable signatures, so you can choose your own adventure for your carÂ’s outward appearance. Other big changes include the deletion of chrome, flush door handles (like other new BMWs) and the lack of black cladding around the wheel arches. Mini improved the coefficient of drag with this new model to 0.28, and thanks to this, and to new battery and motor technology, the electric Mini Coopers are far more enticing than the first Mini SE. Two versions of the electric Mini Cooper will hit the market initially, with the base model being the Mini Cooper E. This model features a single electric motor making 184 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque, which Mini says does the 0-62 mph run in 7.3 seconds. It uses a 40.7 kWh battery pack that is good for 190 miles on the WLTP cycle, but expect that to be considerably lower for the EPA test. Meanwhile, the upgrade Mini Cooper SE ups output to 218 horsepower and 243 pound-feet, completing the 0-62 mph sprint in just 6.7 seconds. It also has a much bigger battery at 54.2 kWh, allowing for a range of 250 miles on the WLTP cycle. Charging speed is another big upgrade for these electric Minis, too, as the Cooper E can charge at speeds up to 75 kW, while the SE can do 95 kW. Mini says this gets both Coopers from a 10-80% charge in under 30 minutes. AC at-home charging maxes out at 11 kW. It also features a pre-conditioning program that will warm the battery pack in cold weather to ensure fast charging speeds when you arrive. This is part of a larger navigation system that will plan out your route to hit fast chargers as you go. As always, Mini is promising a fun-to-drive character from its entry-level hatchback.

The greenest cars of 2024: Vehicles that use the least fuel and cost less to operate

All-electric vehicles may make headlines for environmental friendliness and fuel efficiency, but the “greenest” car in America in 2024 has a gasoline engine. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's annual GreenerCars ratings of the most environmentally friendly cars, the latest Toyota Prius Prime SE plug-in hybrid tops the list of greenest cars, although it's something of an anomaly, because battery-electric EVs follow it in spots two to five. Of the top 10 vehicles in the ratings, six are electric and four are hybrids: Rank Make & Model Powertrain Green Score MSRP Estimated Annual Fuel Cost* 1 Toyota Prius Prime SE PHEV 71 $32,975 $529 2 Lexus RZ 300e EV 67 $55,150 $651 3 Mini Cooper SE EV 67 $30,900 $747 4 Nissan Leaf EV 66 $28,140 $741 5 Toyota bZ4X EV 66 $43,070 $689 6 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV 64 $43,690 $741 7 Hyundai Elantra Blue Gas Hybrid 64 $26,250 $864 8 Hyundai Kona Electric EV 63 $34,050 $695 9 Toyota Camry LE Gas Hybrid 63 $28,855 $907 10 Kia EV6 EV 63 $43,975 $689 11 Toyota Corolla Gas Hybrid 62 $23,500 $944 12 Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV 62 $41,650 $737 *ACEEE analysis using EIA data of annual cost—from gasoline, electricity, or a combination—of driving 15,000 miles The ACEEE also compiled two other vehicle rankings: the so-called “Greener Choices” and the “Meanest List.” The Greener Choices list includes a variety of high-scoring conventional vehicles, and the Meanest List identifies the worst-performing mass-market models. Finishing first in the “greener” list — which the organization says is about cars “available nationwide with among the lowest environmental impacts” — is the Honda Accord Hybrid. As far as the “worst-performing mass market” vehicle, that dubious distinction goes to the $184,000 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63. “ItÂ’s important for automakers to keep expanding affordable EV options rapidly so that the benefits of EVs are available to drivers across a wider spectrum of incomes as we transition away from cars that burn gasoline,” said Peter Huether, ACEEEÂ’s senior transportation research associate and lead researcher for the GreenerCars rankings. “For drivers whose needs are not met by todayÂ’s charging infrastructure, many efficient and affordable hybrid options are available.” Just over half the cars on the 2024 Greenest List start at under $35,000, including four EVs and three gas hybrids.