Europe vs the US – Where The New MINI Countryman Has More Power Might Surprise You

DimON · November 24, 2023

If you’ve been following our coverage on the new (U25) MINI Countryman internal combustion models you’ll notice an unusual discrepancy. The US spec versions of the Countryman S and Countryman JCW have noticeable more power than the European versions. Historically it’s been the opposite with US regulations affecting the output of European cars in order to meet emissions regulations. However things are changing in a big way.

Now that European regulations are becoming more aggressive, we’re seeing a pretty major shift in what market has more power. Let’s start by looking at the recently release MINI Countryman S with ALL4. In Europe and the UK that car comes equipped with a mild hybrid version of the B48 to lower C02 and fall into compliance with the stringent emissions. MINI USA decided to not take the mild hybrid version of the B48 for several reasons. For one it’s not needed as the B48 easily meets emissions standards. Second MINI USA preferred to reduce the weight and complexity of the car for better overall performance. The upside is the Countryman S in the US will make 241 hp and 295 lbs ft.

It’s a similar story on the Countryman JCW however with no mild hybrid to confuse things. There European and UK versions of the Countryman JCW have their B48 tuned to 300 hp due to the same emissions compliance issues. The US market was able to stretch things a bit to 312 hp – a new high power figure for the MINI brand.

Europe vs The US – MINI Countryman S and JCW Technical Specifications

Countryman Model	Countryman S (Europe)	JCW (Europe)	Countryman S (USA)	JCW (USA)
Power	218 hp	300 hp	241 hp	312 hp
Torque	266 ft lbs	295 ft lbs	295 ft lbs	295 ft lbs
Transmission	7 speed DCT	7 speed DCT	7 speed DCT	7 speed DCT
Drivetrain	all-wheel	all-wheel	all-wheel	all-wheel
Powertrain type	petrol/mild hybrid	petrol	petrol	petrol
Cylinders	4	4	4	4
Displacement	1998	1998	1998	1998
Engine Power	201 hp	300 hp	TBD	313 hp
Engine Torque	266 ft lbs	295 ft lbs	TBD	295 lb
Electric Power	19 hp (temporary)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Electric Torque	TBD	N/A	N/A	N/A
0-60 mph	TBD	TBD	TBD	5.1
Maximum speed	TBD	132 mph	132 mph	155 mph
Curb weight (LBS)	TBD	TBD	TBD	3,825 lbs

This change will likely affect all petrol powered MINI including the forthcoming F66 MINI Cooper which will debut this February and go on sale in March.

Check back for more details and technical specifications as we uncover them.