New Mini Countryman 2021 detailed: Refreshed Audi Q2 rival drops diesel engines

Mini Australia’s newest Countryman SUV will land in local showrooms later this year with new exterior styling and improved range for the plug-in, but will also lose its diesel engine options.

Sans diesel choices, which were the Cooper D and Cooper SD, the Australian Countryman line-up is trimmed to just three grades – the Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper SE plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Mini Australia said the discontinuation of the diesel versions is due to slowing sales and a focus on its Cooper SE plug-in, which gains a larger 9.6kWh battery to boost its electric-only driving range from 40km to up to 61km – an increase of about 50 per cent.

As such, the Countryman range will kick off with the 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder Cooper.

The Cooper S scores a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder to up the ante to 131kW/280Nm, while the Cooper SE PHEV makes use of a 1.5-litre three-cylinder and electric motor combo for a total system output of 165kW/385Nm.

A flagship JCW version is also expected to be revealed at a later date for an introduction later down the line.

From the outside, the new-look Countryman wears a revised grille, bumper and air intakes, while the rear bumper is also refreshed for 2020.

Standard across the range is LED lighting all round, but the biggest giveaway to the revised Countryman is the Union Jack-styled tail-lights, which now match the smaller Mini three-door Hatch.

Inside, the new Countryman scores new surface finishes and a new 5.0-inch digital instrument display, while the 8.8-inch multimedia screen carries over from before.

Full pricing and specification for the revised Countryman line-up will be revealed at a later date, but for reference the Cooper version currently stars at $42,200 before on-roads, the Cooper S is $49,200 and the Cooper SE PHEV wears a $57,200 pricetag.