BY GABRIEL BRIDGER | F60 COUNTRYMAN E, OFFICIAL NEWS | APR 7, 17

Drum roll please. The highly anticipated MINI Countryman Hybrid has a price for the US market: $36,800. That puts the hybrid just below the JCW Countryman but above every other Countryman.

The base MSRP of $36,800 (plus $850 D&H) is just part of the story. Depending on customers’ income tax situations, they may be able to receive a $4000 federal income tax credit for purchasing a new plug-in hybrid, which would bring the effective net cost down to $32,800. This can decrease even further for customers in certain states where additional incentives are available.

The Countryman Hybrid is also a performance powerhouse with a 0-60 time of 6.7 seconds – .3 under the Cooper S.

More details, including differences between other trim levels and tons of photos at MotoringFile...

 

I'm highly disappointed the glass Panorama Roof that comes standard with ALL OTHER COUNTRYMAN models this year is an OPTION in the hybrid. And that Dynamic Damper Control isn't even available.

 

Maybe they didn't want to offer a $45,000 Countryman...

And I bet the hybrid weighs more and the dampers may not be appropriate for the extra baggage of batteries.

Still, I'm curious how it specs out.

 

yeah im sure that the extra weight is beyond the limit of the dampers. although its strange about the roof and the 19in wheels. too much rotational mass? and potentially solar power in the roof?

 

Any 0-60 times out there yet? It may surprise the non-hybrid cars if they did a good integration job with the torque from the electric motor.

 

The article itself says 6.7s

 

Hell, the JCW can nearly break $45k just by adding "Fully Loaded" -- I'm guessing the E will be right behind it.

I'm floating the theory that all the extra electronics, computer and mechanical bits for the Dynamic Damper Control don't cohabitate well with all the extra-complicated PHEV bits. I'll be checking the UK site to see if they're denied the same.

Odd thing to me was the pressurized fuel tank with a manual release button inside the cabin. Does any other vehicle do that?

 

No configurator yet but MINI's UK site shows Electronic Damper Control (and some others options) unavailable as well.

 

The roof is an easy way to cut weight, dampers an easy way to cut cost.

They're making a very strong attempt to price this car ultra-competitively, and I think they've done a damned good job at it. It's one of the lowest priced plug-in hybrids, and after tax credits it's cheaper than the S and faster than the S, too.

 

Lowest priced? Not that they're anywhere in the same league as a MINI but will likely be cross-shopped: a Chevy Volt is $33k, a Prius Prime is $27k and the Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Niro PHEVs are almost guaranteed to be cheaper than the Prius Prime. Niro is at least a similar form factor.

Kicker on the price is that an A3 e-tron is only $2k more (upcoming Golf GTE will undoubtedly be less expensive) and an i3 is just a $5k premium over a Countryman E.

And tax credits only matters if you OWE the fed income tax at filing.
https://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy...x-credits.html

 

UK configurator is live!

 

Does anyone know when we'll be able to order? When dealers will have more information? Data from this release seems to be coming out at a trickle.

 

We haven't even seen the S-E Hybrid for an employee demo yet - we know about as much as you do. :(

 

I know some dealers are already taking deposits for a place in line when build slots do open up.

My local dealer is having an event later this month to see one, though I guess it will not be drive-able because it is a pre-production unit.

 

I was told they should be able to enter my configuration next week.

Our last two have been bright so we are going darker this time.

 

THE MINI COUNTRYMAN HYBRID ORDER BOOKS ARE OPEN

 

The sunroof is 200lbs or more, I can see why it's an option. Most people buying hybrid or electric cars are concerned about range and any extra weight will definitely impact range.

 

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Yes, if you're mainly in Electric mode or at least often, you're not able to send stored EVAP vapors from the gas tank/ charcoal canister to the gas engine to consume like normal since it's not either running at all or not enough to consume those stored gas tank emissions. SO, other cars besides MINI are venting the vapor.

 

The tank door will not open until it de-preasurizes. If the passenger hops out to fill the tank they have a slight delay. If I click and walk around it typically unlocks just about the time I get to it.