Mini gives the electric Countryman a range boost for 2026

These days, if an electric car company stands still for even a year, its technology can start to look old. Mini understands this reality well. Even though the latest version of its crossover arrived not that long ago, the brand is already rolling out serious hardware updates. These changes should keep the Mini Countryman E competitive for a little bit longer.

Engineers focused on efficiency to get more distance out of a single charge. The biggest change is a revamped battery pack, which now holds 65.2 kWh of energy. This is a slight increase from the previous 64.6 kWh version. The size difference might seem small, but Mini paired it with a new silicon carbide inverter borrowed from BMW. This clever piece of electronics reduces power loss as electricity moves from the battery to the motor, making the most of every kilowatt.

These mechanical tweaks result in a decent jump in driving distance. Under the European WLTP testing cycle, the updated Countryman E can now travel up to 311 miles - a 39-km improvement over the older model. For drivers who use EVs for daily commutes, that extra cushion helps reduce the need to find a charging station quite so often.

The brand also looked at the physical parts of the car to find hidden gains. The company installed new wheel bearings on the front axle, specifically designed to further reduce rolling resistance, meaning the car encounters less friction as it moves down the road. It is a classic move from the automotive playbook: if you make the vehicle easier to push, the electric motors don't have to work as hard, and the battery lasts longer.

Drivers who want more power usually choose the Countryman SE ALL4. This version uses two motors to provide all-wheel drive. It benefits from the same battery and inverter upgrades as its sibling. Its range has climbed to 290 miles - 22 miles more than before. High-performance electric cars often sacrifice distance for speed, but these updates help bridge that gap.

In the United States, the current Countryman SE ALL4 has a starting price of $45,200. This model delivers 230 kW (308 hp) and 364 lb-ft of torque. It is a quick little crossover, capable of reaching 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds. The top speed is capped at 112 mph. The European range numbers are high, but the current US version is rated by the EPA at 212 miles, though the new updates should help improve that figure a bit.

European showrooms will receive the improved Countryman units starting this March. Mini has not given an exact date for when these updates will reach the North American market, but it usually happens shortly after the European launch.

The updated Mini Countryman shows that EVs are constantly evolving. Mini focused on better electronics and smoother mechanical parts, and managed to squeeze more life out of the battery without making the car heavier or more expensive. It is a smart way to keep a fresh model feeling new in a segment that never stops changing.

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