BMW’s efforts of creating better, more dense batteries is finally paying off. Their modular architecture is also playing a big part in the way hybrid and electric cars are developing. MINI just announced that its first ever electrified car, the Cooper S E Countryman PHEV is getting a 30 percent increase in EV range, thanks to a new set of batteries. The new model will be on display next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is set to become more appealing courtesy of the latest battery cell technology. The tech brings a substantial increase in both efficiency and electric range. The battery’s dimensions are unchanged, yet the latest-generation high-voltage battery fitted in the MINI PHEV has increased gross energy capacity from 7.7 to 10.0 kWh.
Therefore, it extends the all-rounder’s electric range by some 30 per cent to a maximum 55 – 57 kilometers (34 – 35 miles).
Positioned under the rear seat unit to save space, the lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in about five hours from a standard domestic socket. If you use a wallbox, it takes around 3h 15 min. The hybrid system aboard the new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 comprises a three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, generating combined system output of 224 hp.
A hybrid-specific all-wheel-drive system channels power to the front and rear wheels as required by the situation at hand.
The new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds. Furthermore, the new batteries improve the average fuel consumption figures of the car as well, while dropping the average CO2 levels at the same time. The average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of the new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 have both dropped by around 20 per cent, to 2.1 – 1.9 l/100 km and 47 – 43 grams per km respectively in the case of CO2 emissions.
