Mr. Bean's holiday can be done much greener now than in the 2007 film.
That's because Mini has taken a Cooper SE Countryman and Cooper SE hatchback, both packing camping equipment and electric power, on a road trip in Germany.
Mini said its road trip was done in time for that country's summer, where people would have the "desire to relax in nature" that also "inspires a preference for camping."
The Cooper SE Countryman is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that emits less than 50 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. The Cooper SE is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) with more than 200 kilometers of range.
Both the crossover and hatchback were equipped with camping goodies from Mini Original Accessories.
The Cooper SE Countryman, either in All4 Trim or Classic Plus Package, had a roof tent mounted on its roof rails. The Cooper SE can be equipped with the same attachable quarters. Mini said it's the only small EV that has roof rails.
Mini added that with the aerodynamic body, the roof tent doesn't slow down the car's 184 horses. But sans roof tent, the Cooper can sprint from standstill to 100 kph in 7.3 seconds. The Countryman All4 is just as fast.
During the camping trip, the electric range of the Cooper SE Countryman All4 was said to be accurate at 59 kilometers. It used the combination of combustion engine and electric motor to replenish the energy reserves.
While on winding country roads, the cars brought a lot of driving pleasure. The battery, located low to the ground, shifted the vehicles' center of gravity downwards and thus ensured more agility.
The PHEV crossover and BEV hatch rolled onto the camping site so quietly, that even the crackling of twigs under the tires could be heard, Mini shared.
Meanwhile, sleeping bags, luggage, and other things needed for longer camping trips can be stored in the Cooper SE's cargo area. The area can be expanded from 211 to 731 liters after folding down the rear seats.
The Cooper SE Countryman All4, with its five doors, five seats, and a luggage compartment volume of 405 to 1,275 liters, is a true "all-rounder in the premium compact segment."
Inside both vehicles are provisions to charge a cooler for drinks, smartphones, and even an espresso machine.
And if the cars' energy reserves do run low, Mini assured that the many campsites in Europe are now equipped with charging points.
So, as the German brand explained: "Nature lovers can enjoy the beauty of the landscape on a hiking tour without worrying, while their... Mini charges up fresh energy to complete the onward journey to the next campsite or the drive home in the most sustainable way possible."
BMW, who which owns Mini, already accounted for roughly 13 percent of all new EV registrations in Europe in 2019. The company hopes to increase its market share to 25 percent by 2021, to around 33 percent by 2025, and to 50 percent by 2030.
Part of the company's EV plans are the BMW i4 Gran Coupé and iX which will debut in the US in June. The i4 GC also recently appeared in BMW's Malaysia website, while the iX crossover graced the Philippine site.
Photos from Mini
Also read:
Copyright © Carmudi 2014-2024. All Rights Reserved.
