The Mini brand’s first plug-in hybrid model will receive its UK debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed on 29th June to 2nd July. The new car now offers the option of purely electric driving with zero tailpipe emissions.

Available to order now, the new Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 will launch in Mini Retailers on 24th June 2017 and is priced from £31,585. The vehicle is also eligible for an additional £2,500 OLEV government grant.

The first plug-in hybrid model in the Mini range features an intelligent all-wheel drive system. The Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 hybrid system is made up of a 3-cylinder petrol engine with Mini TwinPower Turbo Technology and a synchronous electric motor. Together they generate a system output of 165 kW/221 bhp enabling the car to sprint from rest to 62mph in 6.8 seconds.

The power of the combustion engine is transmitted to the front wheels via a 6-speed Steptronic transmission, while the electric motor powers the rear wheels. The intelligently controlled interaction between the two power units creates an all-wheel drive system designed to optimise agility and stability on the road as well as providing traction over snow and unsurfaced terrain.

When setting off, only the electric motor is initially active meaning a virtually noiseless start. As is typical of electric motors, the entire torque is available from standing. Once a driving speed of 50mph is reached, the combustion engine is gently activated. The eDRIVE toggle switch enables the driver to continue to drive with only the electric engine beyond this point if preferred: in MAX eDRIVE mode the Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 runs at up to 78mph free of local emissions. BMW claims an electric range of 25 miles.

The energy required for this is stored in a high-voltage lithium-ion battery. It can be charged at a conventional household socket or, for increased power input and reduced waiting times, at a wallbox or public charging station. Charging takes between 2:15 and 3:15 hours. The high-voltage battery comes with a warranty which lasts for six years or 60,000 miles.

The battery is housed underneath the rear seat and flat load boot floor, minimising drawbacks to boot space and leg room. The luggage compartment volume of the hybrid model is 405 litres, which can be extended to as much as 1,275 litres with the rear backrests folded down.

The new Mini Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 comes with a wide range of standard equipment. This includes the Mini’s Satellite Navigation System, Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Emergency E-call and Active Guard among other features. 6-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, the Mini Driving Modes and three spoke sports steering wheel are also offered as standard.

In addition to model-specific design elements such as the “E” emblem on the radiator grille and side scuttles as well as door sill finishers with a yellow “S” logo, the 17-inch light alloy wheels in Light Spoke design are another distinguishing feature exclusive to the model. Inside, hybrid-specific displays and the eDRIVE toggle switch are other characteristics of the Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4.