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

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frednz

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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.

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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

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Reply # 1859983 6-Sep-2017 21:58

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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

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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

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Reply # 1859998 6-Sep-2017 22:40

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

flynkiwi

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Reply # 1860071 7-Sep-2017 07:13

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Reply # 1860173 7-Sep-2017 10:08

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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

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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

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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

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Reply # 1860198 7-Sep-2017 10:46

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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

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Reply # 1860258 7-Sep-2017 12:06

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

djtOtago

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Reply # 1860342 7-Sep-2017 14:32

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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

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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.

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