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The MINI Countryman Hybrid is the MINI that most of us need – whether we know it or not.
In a few years from now it’ll be easy to see the MINI Countryman Hybrid as a transitional product. Its 14 mile electric range limits its usage as full electric transportation and its weight (with two engines onboard) limits numbs the driving engagement the standard Countryman has. Yet for 2018 it’s hard to imagine a better small hybrid in terms of driving enjoyment, technology and design. Frankly, it’s hard to imagine a MINI better suited to most daily driver needs.
The 2018 MINI Countryman Hybrid is a solid first stab at electrifying MINI’s most popular vehicle. The hybrid drivetrain (which is more or less the BMW i8 drivetrain turned backwards) can both surprise with the seamlessness of its operation and its on-road performance.
But there are trade offs. At almost 4,000 lbs this thing is shockingly heavy for a MINI. That’s almost 700 lbs heavier than a Countryman Cooper and almost 1,400 lbs heavier than the standard Cooper hatch. Ladies and gentleman, that difference is literally the weight of an original classic Mini.
More of the review and photos to be found at MotoringFile...
