New Mini Countryman Spied Looming Large In A Winter Wonderland

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Winter testing is coming to an end, meaning automakers are more active than ever in the chilly north of Scandinavia. There wasn’t much time to complete cold weather operations, and our spy team caught the Mini putting the next-generation Countryman through its paces.

We haven’t seen many new models yet. This is our fourth sighting since it was first blown away by its development in October 2021. Unfortunately, the level of camouflage looks the same as when we first saw it, but the combination of sun and snow in this image gives us a better perspective of it. size. The crossover will grow compared to the current model, sharing the FAAR platform with the next BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and X1. Our spy sources tell us it could be nearly 8 inches (20 centimeters) longer, offering more space for passengers as well as increased cargo capacity.

Although the camouflage still hides the front and rear details, we can see the overall design of the Countryman will be very familiar with the wide grille flanked by two ovalesque headlights. Taking a closer look, the headlights on this prototype could be a holder, although the house suggests the final design may have sharper edges. The taillights are completely covered, and there may be some faux panels under the rear wrap causing further confusion. At first glance there is no visible exhaust tip, but very close-up shows a single outlet pointing down on the driver’s side.

As such, it’s not an all-electric Countryman although it’s rumored to be coming. The Plug-in hybrid version is also rumored to be the most powerful Mini of all, with unconfirmed reports saying a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine will be paired with an electric motor for a combined 322 horsepower (237 kilowatts). It will be an all-wheel-drive model; a less powerful plug-in hybrid is likely, along with the standard combustion-powered trim that only spins the front wheels.

Based on the limited sightings and degree of camouflage, we believe the Countryman’s debut is still months away. Most likely, it will debut in 2023, possibly for the 2024 model year.

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