Understanding how the Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 works isn’t difficult. That’s because the Mini PHEV is actually quite a bit simpler than most plug-in hybrids.
- The Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 is a “through-the-road” hybrid with all-wheel drive
- An 87 horsepower electric motor turns the rear wheels
- A turbocharged, 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine making 134 horsepower drives the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission
- Combined system output is 221 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque
- A 7.6 kW battery gives it an EPA-rated EV range of 12 miles
Just as in other Minis, an internal combustion engine turns its front wheels. But the addition of an electric motor under the cargo compartment and a lithium-ion battery beneath the rear seat gives the electrified Countryman its hybrid abilities.
Driving all the wheels
The powertrain layout of the Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 allows it to do something few vehicles offer. It can switch between rear-, front-, and all-wheel-drive.
When the PHEV Countryman is running solely on electricity, it is functionally an RWD vehicle. The 87 horsepower electric motor drives only the rear. This is no physical driveshaft linking the two axles. A turbocharged, 1.5 liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transaxle drives the front wheels. This is the same engine found in other Mini models, making the same 134 horsepower.
Yet the PHEV Countryman still has an all-wheel drive mode. Rather than using differentials or electronic clutches like typical AWD systems, the Countryman relies on signals from the car’s stability control system sensors to calculate when it should apply power to either of its separate powertrains. With the gas engine powering the vehicle, the rear electric motor can add power or work as a generator to send electricity back to the battery.
With both gas engine and electric motor able to deliver their full output at the same time, the Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 has a combined output of 224 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque. That’s quite a lot—more than the gasoline-only version of the Cooper S Countryman. That model uses a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque.
Three Modes
The Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 has three operating modes: Max eDrive, Auto eDrive, and Save Battery. These can be selected via a toggle switch on the center stack.
To prioritize all-electric driving, select Max and the Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 will keep its gasoline engine shut off—at least until one of three things happens. The first is when the battery charge drops below seven percent. The second is when speed exceeds 78 mph. And the third is when the driver stomps on the gas pedal, demanding acceleration greater than can be provided by the 88-horsepower electric motor alone.
If any of these happens, the Countryman switches to Auto mode. This is the default, in which the Countryman operates as a hybrid, its gasoline engine and electric motor operating in tandem. The electric motor also handles regenerative braking. With sufficient battery charge, all-electric operation is still available up to 55 mph.
Save Battery mode does just what it says. It keeps the Countryman from going into extended all-electric operation. It also ensures that at least a 90 percent charge is maintained. (If the driver selects Sport mode, the charge is held at only 50 percent.) If Save mode is in use when the battery is below that threshold, the Mini calls on the gasoline engine to replenish the battery. This comes at the expense of fuel economy, as the rear electric motor creates additional drag on the vehicle.
Mini Countryman All4 PHEV Range and Efficiency
The EPA says the 7.6 kWh battery in the PHEV Countryman is good for an all-electric range of 12 miles. Charging time at a Level 2 station (operating at 230 volts and 16 amps) is approximately 2.5 hours, according to Mini.
The EPA combined fuel economy rating is just 27 miles per gallon when the Countryman is running in hybrid mode. This low number is due partly to the additional weight of the hybrid system. Mini lists the curb weight of the Cooper S E Countryman All4 at 3,948 pounds, which is 277 pounds more than the gasoline version.
This means that to truly save fuel with the PHEV Countryman, drivers will have to plan carefully and be sure to recharge often.
