Test drive MINI Countryman Cooper SE: positive charge

Driving the first plug-in hybrid in the history of an iconic British brand

The MINI has long since ceased to be a symbol of small size and minimalism, but still relies on individual character, front-wheel drive and a transverse engine.

The company's first plug-in hybrid is powered by a combination of a three-cylinder petrol turbo engine located in front of the front axle and a 65-kilowatt electric motor mounted on the rear axle.

The latter surprisingly transforms the MINI Countryman into a rear-wheel drive car - however, only in cases where the drive is only electric. The total power of the system is 224 hp. sounds like a promise of something much bigger than the environmental movement.

The technology is borrowed from the hugely successful BMW 225xe Active Tourer, with which the Countryman shares a common platform, and a 7,6 kilowatt-hour battery is located under the boot floor, reducing its capacity by 115 liters. Thanks to the two engines, the Cooper SE has a new type of dual transmission, which continues to work even with a discharged battery (in such conditions, the necessary electricity is generated by the belt starter-generator).

The silent electric motor, the buzzing three-cylinder internal combustion engine and the six-speed automatic transmission are in harmony in perfect harmony. In automatic mode, the electronics do an excellent job of controlling different types of drives.

Fast or cost effective? Your choice!

Thanks to its 165 Nm electric motor, the Cooper SE quickly accelerates to 50 km / h and can reach speeds of up to 125 km / h on electricity alone. The current mileage in real conditions is relatively close to the official data and is 41 kilometers. With 224 horsepower, the model accelerates from zero to 231 kilometers almost as fast as the sporty JCW (XNUMX hp), and the overall acceleration feel is impressively energetic.

The hybrid model is not only more powerful than the standard Cooper, but also much heavier. 1767 kg is an impressive figure that naturally adds to the driving experience that is typical of every MINI kart. Not surprisingly, the average consumption of gasoline is also not a record low.

That doesn't change the fact that MINI has once again managed to create a car that wins the hearts of the public with charm, flamboyant personality and cute stunts that you won't find anywhere else. For people whose needs are close to the specifics of the plu-in hybrid, this is a great alternative.

Conclusion

Advantages	Disadvantages
Plenty of space in the car	Large weight
Pleasant suspension comfort	Handling is not as agile as in other versions of the model
Exact control	Less trunk space due to battery
Impressive acceleration	High price
Individual design
Satisfactory current mileage

The first plug-in hybrid is a car with an unusually harmonious drive and a specific charm. However, the vehicle's high weight significantly reduces the brand's typical driving pleasure and negatively impacts its solid fuel economy potential.