We share some information about the Mini Countryman SE and the smart#1
Ok, so there is a brand new Mini Countryman SE (electric) in all BMW MINI Showrooms nationwide right now and it is priced at RM258,888.
This latest Countryman is 4,433 mm long, 1,843 mm wide and 1,656 mm high. It is a Crossover but MINI prefers to call it a SUV to get more attention from segment buyers.
This latest MINI Countryman is larger than the outgoing version as its wheelbase has been increased to 2,692 mm, thus providing increased cabin space and comfort.
This all-electric MINI Countryman SE ALL4 delivers with 313hp and 494Nm and has a possible emissions free driving range of 433 km.
In its electrified third generation, the largest model in the new MINI family, continues the brand’s journey into an era of locally emission-free electric mobility. By the way, this and all MINI electric vehicles are manufactured in China and the petrol powered version come from England.
Meanwhile, there is a direct rival to this latest Countryman and it is also made in China but a brand originally developed in Germany.
This is the smart electric car. To be precise, the smart#1. A product of Mercedes-Benz in partnership with Geely from China, smart#1 arrived in Malaysia in November 2023 with a lot of fanfare and with an asking price of RM219,000 at launch, however today the price has been reduced to RM209k.
There is also a fast and impressive BRABUS version that retails for RM249,000 (which is still priced lower than the above mentioned MINI).
It comes with with enough cabin technology to rival this latest MINI and a possible 440 km of emissions free driving range (MINI delivers 433 km). It has a spacious cabin because of its length of 4,270 mm, a width of 1,822 mm and a height of 1,636 mm. Then there is a wheelbase of 2,750 mm which means good legroom for all.
Now in terms of powertrain specs, the lowest-tier Pro variant of the smart#1 (priced at RM189,000) features a 49 kWh LFP battery pack that is capable of a WLTP-claimed range of 315 km, while jumping up to the higher-end Premium smart#1 instead nets a larger range on a single charge of 440 km, courtesy of a larger 66 kWh NMC battery pack.
Both variants nevertheless feature the same rear-wheel drive layout, with the sole rear mounted motor developing 220 kW and 343 Nm of torque.
When it comes to warranty. The smart#1 provides an 8-Year 200,000km High-Voltage Battery Warranty.
Meanwhile, this latest Mini Countryman SE ALL4 provides an 8-Year 160,000km High-Voltage Battery Warranty.
So, both are very similar in size, features, battery technology, cabin technology, driving range and curbside attention. But the price difference of RM49k could be the deciding factor in this highly competitive electric vehicle segment.
