Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid under development

The 2016 Mini Countryman could be offered with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that could offer up to 30 miles of driving on pure electric power.

The hybrid system is made up of a combustion engine that powers the front wheels and an electric motor that powers the rears, making the PHEV Countryman four-wheel-drive.

The technology is almost certainly based on the GKN-developed system of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer PHEV. That car’s driveline also has links to the system used in the BMW i8.

Mini is yet to confirm the arrival of this hybrid Countryman, but our sources believe it is undergoing testing and will be launched shortly after the regular Countryman. They also say the model could be called the Mini Countryman E.

The PHEV model will accompany the usual turbocharged four-cylinder diesel and petrol-engined models in the Countryman line-up, and will likely be the most expensive version of the car.

The 2016 Mini Countryman is expected to arrive later this year, possibly at the Paris motor show, with sales starting before the end of 2016. It's expected to be priced from around £22,500.

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