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2021 Mini Countryman spied wearing a subtle change of clothes

Mini isn’t taking its crossover lineup anywhere but forward these days, and a facelift for the tall Countryman appears to be next in line. We got details for the hot JCW version of the Countryman a couple of months back, but a mid-cycle refresh is on the docket for the regular version now. Spy photos of the refreshed Countryman show all the exterior changes will be coming to the front and rear portions of the car. Everything else about the long and wide Mini is staying the same, but we could see some interior improvements in the name of technology. As for whatÂ’s visible through the camouflage, the Countryman doesnÂ’t appear to be going through anything radical in the front or back. The grille looks like itÂ’s taking on the same shape as the current Countryman. However, a few minor changes to the lower front bumper are noticeable. Mini looks to be changing up the vents/intake design down there. We donÂ’t mind the carÂ’s current design, but this doesnÂ’t seem to be changing much anyway. The most obvious change out back is the carÂ’s taillight design. ItÂ’s a different pattern on the curvy red light element, but itÂ’s not a Union Jack flag. Perhaps Mini will ultimately tack the Union Jack on it, but this prototype doesnÂ’t wear the British pride on its hindquarters.  Perhaps the big takeaway here is more about the lack of changes Mini appears to have in store. WeÂ’ll be hoping the upgrade is heavy on tech and new features rather than actual design changes. The Countryman went through a radical (large) rebirth for the 2017 model year, but hasnÂ’t exactly lit the world on fire with sales since. Last year was the modelÂ’s best year since 2014, but itÂ’s still behind the modelÂ’s all-time best-selling years. WeÂ’ll expect this light refresh to hit us for the 2021 Countryman, so a reveal sometime next year is likely.

EPA: Four 2014 Mini Cooper models need to drop mpg numbers

After the huge problems that Hyundai/Kia experienced with its mislabeled fuel economy labels, you'd think that any time an automaker has to adjust its mpg numbers, heralds would be shouting from the rooftops. But, after Ford admitted to three big mistakes with its numbers for the 2013 C-Max Hybrid and Mercedes-Benz had to lower the fuel economy rating for the C-Class, we understand if those heralds are a bit tired by now. The models affected include the 3-door and the 3-door S. Still, today's news is that BMW has to lower the fuel efficiency numbers for four versions of the 2014 Mini Cooper thanks to an audit conducted by the EPA and then some joint re-testing. The models affected include the 3-door with the 1.5-liter engine and the 3-door S with its 2.0-liter powerplant, with both manual and semi-automatic transmissions. As with the Benzes, the rating changes are not big ones, around one or two miles per gallon. The big exception is the manual S 3-door's highway number, which lost four mpg from 38 to 34. You can see all the numbers, new and old, in the press release below, but the EPA isn't saying what caused the problem this time. The Agency's new test procedures can't come fast enough. It should be noted that the 2015 Mini Cooper was recently delayed a bit because of the extra time it took to get the EPA numbers right. There's no confirmation that these two items are connected, but we would not be surprised to hear they were. EPA Requiring BMW to Correct Fuel Economy Labels for Four Mini Cooper Vehicles Washington - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising estimates for four 2014 BMW Mini Cooper vehicles to ensure consumers are given accurate fuel economy values. The EPA performed a fuel economy audit on the BMW Mini Cooper and obtained values that differed from those BMW submitted to EPA for certification. With EPA oversight, BMW conducted new emissions and fuel economy testing, and EPA conducted its own testing at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a result of this subsequent testing, EPA is requiring BMW to relabel four of its 2014 Mini Cooper models with lower fuel economy values. The specific changes to fuel economy stickers are listed in the table below.

2020 Mini E caught in the Alps with concept looks

The upcoming full-electric 2020 Mini E hatchback has been spotted in the wild, specifically the Alps. One of our spy photographers caught it while recharging. Fans of the concept shown at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show will be pleased to see that this more production-ready car takes many cues from the show car. Unsurprisingly, the car does look pretty much the same as the standard Mini Hardtop. It has the round lights, broad grille section and upright Mini body. Differences show up first with the grille. Most of it is solid, which is understandable since an electric car typically doesn't need the amount of airflow an internal combustion car needs. There is a strip in the middle that is open, evident by circular cutouts. This is also a design that was featured on the concept, in which the two halves of the grille were solid, with an open slot dividing them. The rest of the bumper appears to be the same one used on the standard Mini Cooper Hardtop. The sides of the car also seem to be identical to the normal Minis, but the wheels are unique to this electric iteration. They're cool four-spoke alloys that have aren't completely symmetrical. Three of the spokes are open and finished, but one has some additional metal, and it seems to connect with the center section where the lug nuts are. There will probably be a cover that goes over these sections. The overall look is directly taken from the Frankfurt concept. At the back, the electric Mini still looks like a Mini, but with no provisions for an exhaust pipe. It also uses taillights from the pre-refresh model, but with some neat hexagonal texture on the lens. These will probably be replaced by the new Union Jack taillights, though. The interior continues the current Mini looks. The seats do have an interesting upholstery. It looks a bit like a gray denim. This production Mini E Hardtop should arrive sometime next year, in keeping with BMW's promise made with the concept car's reveal. Specs are unknown, but we hope it will be comparable in power with the original Mini E introduced for the 2009 model year. That car had an impressive 204 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Hopefully the new model will also improve on the old car's range, which was about 150 miles according to BMW. Related Video: