Mini Countryman Plug-In Hybrid: Do You Like It?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Mini Countryman Plug-In Hybrid: Do You Like It?

frednz

533 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 46

Topic # 222989 6-Sep-2017 21:42

The Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is now being advertised in New Zealand.

It's advertised as having an electric range of 40km and a total range of 498km.

I'm not sure what the NZ-new price is, but it looks like it will be about $60,000 - $65,000. Perhaps someone can provide a more accurate price, thanks.

I would be interested to hear your views about this PHEV.

It seems that the "real-world" electric range may not be quite as high as 40km, but at least it's better than driving a 100% petrol vehicle!

One feature that I quite like is the "Save Battery" mode which can apparently charge the battery from the petrol engine while you are driving (or keep it stable).

The car has a length of 4299mm and a 36 litre fuel tank. The electric motor is 7.6 kWh.

1 | 2

6816 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2172

Subscriber

Reply # 1859976 6-Sep-2017 21:49

https://www.mini.co.nz/models/countryman/#variants

from $59,990

https://www.mini.co.nz/configurator/?YU72

to configure options and get price

richms

20190 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3784

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1859983 6-Sep-2017 21:58

One person supports this post

How long to charge that 40km back up again? Would possibly just do as a home to work car, charge when there, and get home again on it. but really needs a bit more to be of much use.

Richard rich.ms

frednz

533 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 46

Reply # 1859986 6-Sep-2017 22:01

richms:

How long to charge that 40km back up again? Would possibly just do as a home to work car, charge when there, and get home again on it. but really needs a bit more to be of much use.

I think the charge time for 100% charge is about 2.5 hours as per these specifications:

2.5 h at 3.7 kW (16 A / 230 V)

Wiggum

872 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 313

Reply # 1859998 6-Sep-2017 22:40

This looks really nice. I would love to go for a test drive sometime.

flynkiwi

147 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Reply # 1860071 7-Sep-2017 07:13

One person supports this post

It looks like the Mini will be at 'EV World' expo this Saturday. Its free entry for the public on Saturday with I think every Electric Car sold new and imported on display with some available for test drives.

Its at the Manukau Events centre.

https://www.conferenz.co.nz/events/evworld-nz

lxsw20

2033 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 600

Subscriber

Reply # 1860085 7-Sep-2017 07:59

I've used Zipcar here a few times in the UK and some of their fleet are VW Golf GTE. I think their range is about 30 miles on electric. Perfect for most people's daily commute I would think, then if you want to go any distance, fill it up and you're on your way. Best of both worlds.

afe66

1392 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 460

Subscriber

Reply # 1860089 7-Sep-2017 08:22

One comment I have seen in leaf sites (but probably affects all cars) was that batteries don't like repeated cycles of running empty then charged full. This might be an issue with hybrids with smaller battery ranges but whether this is real world issue you might need to research.

Looks like a fun car and a way of dipping your toes in the world of ev's.

frednz

533 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 46

Reply # 1860172 7-Sep-2017 10:05

Jase2985:

https://www.mini.co.nz/models/countryman/#variants

from $59,990

https://www.mini.co.nz/configurator/?YU72

to configure options and get price

Thanks very much for posting these links, they clarify the NZ-new pricing situation.

If you want to get a quick overview of the Mini Countryman PHEV, have a look at this video.

This video explains that, the SAVE BATTERY mode enables the combustion engine to recharge your battery while driving, so you can keep charging while on a freeway to use the saved energy later for your urban drive.

I would be interested to know how long it might take the petrol engine to recharge the battery from, say, 10% to 90%. I guess it would probably be at least 2 or 3 hours, what do you think?

Also, can anyone advise whether other plug-in hybrids have the capacity to recharge the battery from the combustion engine while driving.

Thanks

Fred

networkn

14499 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3610

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1860173 7-Sep-2017 10:08

One person supports this post

frednz:

Also, can anyone advise whether other plug-in hybrids have the capacity to recharge the battery from the combustion engine while driving.

Thanks

Fred

I am no expert, but isn't this fundamental functionality of any hybrid?

wellygary

2597 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 473

Reply # 1860183 7-Sep-2017 10:28

frednz:

Also, can anyone advise whether other plug-in hybrids have the capacity to recharge the battery from the combustion engine while driving.Thanks

Fred

The Outlander PHEV will do that,

frednz

533 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 46

Reply # 1860192 7-Sep-2017 10:41

wellygary:

frednz:

Also, can anyone advise whether other plug-in hybrids have the capacity to recharge the battery from the combustion engine while driving.Thanks

Fred

The Outlander PHEV will do that,

Thanks, yes the Outlander PHEV web site says that:

In Battery Charge Mode, the engine is charging the battery, even when the vehicle is stopped. In this mode, it takes about 40 minutes to reach 80% capacity.

tdgeek

9512 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1464

Trusted

Reply # 1860198 7-Sep-2017 10:46

2 people support this post

I really cant see the point. Big money for an ICE with a 40km EV range. ICE has to pull the EV along, EV has to pull the ICE along.

A full EV near that price point would be more efficient. Yes, it doesnt have a 498km range, but the new Leaf has a 400km range.

As charging stations become more and more common, and from Linuxluvers threads its getting there.

frednz

533 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 46

Reply # 1860258 7-Sep-2017 12:06

Um...doesn't the new Leaf have a real world range of about 250km?

djtOtago

212 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 86

Subscriber

Reply # 1860342 7-Sep-2017 14:32

One person supports this post

498km with a 36 litre fuel tank that = 7.2 litres / 100km. Not a great figure by today standards. And that no doubt is under ideal conditions.

Add a car load of people, plus some baggage and a few hills and I think it would struggle to get from Dunedin to Christchurch. At least not with out having to keep one eye on the fuel gauge.

Do I like it. NO.

frednz

533 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 46

Reply # 1860376 7-Sep-2017 15:40

djtOtago:

498km with a 36 litre fuel tank that = 7.2 litres / 100km. Not a great figure by today standards. And that no doubt is under ideal conditions.

Add a car load of people, plus some baggage and a few hills and I think it would struggle to get from Dunedin to Christchurch. At least not with out having to keep one eye on the fuel gauge.

Do I like it. NO.

The reduced petrol engine range is one of the compromises of this plug-in hybrid as explained in this article:

"The electric bits are stowed about the rear axle. First victim is the fuel tank, which shrinks from 51 to 36 litres."

I don't think this limitation would bother me too much, after all, there are plenty of places to fill up with petrol between Dunedin and Christchurch. And the overall range of 498km sure beats the range of most of the affordable EVs in NZ at present.

Because the distance from Dunedin to Christchurch is only about 360km, I would be disappointed if the Mini Countryman didn't make it without the need to refuel on the way.

But even if you did need to refuel once, taking about 5 minutes, don't you think this is still a lot more convenient than having to recharge several times a pure electric EV that only has a real-world range of, say, 130km? For example, the pure electric old model BMW i3 only has a range of about 130km, and this vehicle might give me a bit of range anxiety on a longer trip.

1 | 2