The compact SUV features the same electric drivetrain as the BMW iX1 and iX2 (Photo: Shahril Basri/ The Edge Malaysia)
The Minis are not so mini anymore. But before we address the upsize, it is worth noting why and how the British automotive brand first latched onto the concept of its signature diminutive frame.
In 1957, post-World War II England was dealing with the economic repercussions of the Suez Crisis, which sent fuel prices soaring, leading many to turn away from the gas-guzzling vehicles of the day. Hence, Sir Leonard Lord of the Morris Company tasked his top engineer Alec Issigonis to design and build a small, fuel-efficient car capable of carrying four adults that was economically attainable for the average Joe.
More room was created in the cockpit by pushing the wheels all the way out to the corners and turning the engine sideways, which also increased stability. Issigonis’ design was out-of-the-box unique and created a lasting impression when it was first launched in 1959.
Two years later, the aptly named Mini fell into the hands of British racing legend John Cooper, who transformed the pocket-sized family car into a rally demon. A powerful engine was added as well as new brakes and sharper steering. Before long, the tiny terror was outracing and outlasting the larger, often clumsier sedans and chalking up numerous international race wins including a handful of victories at the prestigious Monte Carlo rally. When the souped-up Classic Mini Cooper 997 was made available to the public, the brand experienced global success.
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What the Mini lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in personality. Its expressive styling and configuration were key factors in uniting a community of drivers who were not afraid to live largely and unabashedly. Creeping into the realm of pop culture, one figure who demonstrated this to a tee was the inimitable Mr Bean and his trusty Citron Mini.
Whether it was antagonising the same blue Reliant Robin (Rowan Atkinson had a personal vendetta against the three-wheeler) at the parking lot or rolling off the hill with an armchair strapped onto the roof (in Episode 9, Do-It-Yourself Mr Bean, Atkinson was indeed safely tied to the sofa, but the car was actually navigated by a stunt driver who was lying on the floor with a small screen in front of him), their personalities were like two peas in a pod.
The Mini also played a critical role in The Italian Job’s 2003 remake. The American heist action film saw a highly modified blue, red and white Mini Cooper as getaway cars driven by Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron and Jason Statham respectively (if you must know, Theron performed the best, according to the producers and her co-stars). In the movie’s climax, a high-speed chase through Los Angeles intensifies as the trio descend a flight of stairs into the underground Metro tunnel system. But what is uncommon knowledge is that this iconic scene resulted in the first-ever electric Mini being created.
During filming, local authorities required that only vehicles with no exhaust fumes be used in the Metro. Director F Gary Gray called up Mini’s parent company BMW and explained the situation but the reply was that electric Minis simply did not exist. The film’s transport coordinator, John Carpenter, ended up engineering three for the scene.
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The first production of the Mini Cooper SE, the brand’s electric debut, would not come out until almost two decades later. And now, the Mini Countryman SE All4 follows suit. The all-electric compact SUV is noticeably much larger than its predecessors. While purists would argue that maintaining its littleness is part of the brand identity, the truth is customers require more room as their families and needs grow. In order to stay relevant, products have to evolve alongside demand.
It is the same when it comes to electrification, and Mini’s approach has resulted in perhaps the most inventive interface we have experienced. While most manufacturers stick to orthogonal infotainment displays, Mini went off tangent with Operating System 9, which features a delightful 9.45in round OLED display — produced by Samsung — that also serves as a nod to the central placement of the instrument cluster in the original Mini.
Dubbed the Mini Interaction Unit, the screen is not large by current standards, but the company has always proved bigger is not always better. The circular display is sized just right, placed within easy reach, more intuitive than ever and simply feels special. There are very few buttons and toggles you can fiddle with physically, which means most of the controls have been embedded into OS9. Yet, it was a relatively short learning curve before we acclimated to the system. User-friendliness is one thing, but to enjoy using it is rare.
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There are eight Mini Experiences (or driving modes) to choose from: Core, Green, Go-Kart, Personal, Balance, Timeless, Vivid and Trail (only available in the Countryman SE). Each orchestrates a different use of ambient light, user interface designs, drive settings and soundscapes to provide a variety of immersive driving experiences. The highlight is Go-Kart mode, where the throttle response of the accelerator is optimised for dynamic driving. This fared well on the highways and up the winding roads of Cameron Highlands. The driving sound, especially during acceleration, reminds us of the audio effects in racing video games — fun, but can also be turned off.
Core produces the new electric Mini’s signature tune and is the only one that can be heard both inside and outside of the car for pedestrian protection. Green maximises efficiency, Balance mimics the noises heard in the forest, Timeless pays tribute to the classic Minis, Vivid focuses on the presentation of media content, you display your own pictures on the screen in Personal and Trail equips the car for off-road adventures. The Experiences are one of the few controls you can activate physically alongside the gear shift and power “key” that you twist to start the car.
The Countryman SE comfortably fits five adults with sliding rear seats for more legroom to kick back. There is more space in the trunk than any Mini model — 450L of cargo room that increases to 1,390L with the seats folded down. Wrapping the interior is a knit fabric made from recycled materials. Its application looks unique, but one might need to adopt new cleaning methods. High-quality perforated vegan leather furnishes the steering wheel and sport seats — and we must say, they are incredibly comfortable.
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Equipped with the same powertrain as the BMW iX1 and iX2, it uses some of the best electric car components in the market. On the road, the car is quick and compliant despite its size. Yes, the EV accelerates effortlessly (0 to 100kph in 5.6 seconds) with plenty of torque, but the car has also been tuned to provide a more fluid and reactive driving experience. It glides flatly at bends and absorbs road imperfections with ease, thanks to its intelligent all-wheel drive. Electric range is a safe 399km to 432km and a DC fast charger can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes. The combination makes the Countryman SE one of the best daily drivers a city slicker can have.
The Mini Countryman SE All4 packs a punch with a level of sophistication, from the drivetrain to tech, that goes well beyond the products the brand has offered in the past. Yet, its lighthearted spirit is retained through and through, guaranteeing those who do not take things too seriously a fun time on the road.
The starting price for the Mini Countryman SE All4 is RM258,203 before taxes and duties.
This article first appeared on Sept 23, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
