MINI Shifts Strategy – Will Make A New Combustion Powered Countryman

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For years, MINI has prepared us for its ambitious plan to go fully electric by 2030. But recent developments mean that there’s a big shift in strategy: MINI will now continue producing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles far past 2030 and well into the next decade. So, what does this mean for the MINI Countryman? Let’s take a look.

The Electric Slowdown & Market Realities

In late 2024, news broke that BMW was halting its UK-based electric MINI production plans. The decision was reportedly linked to sluggish EV adoption rates and economic uncertainties, throwing MINI’s all-electric ambitions into doubt. But in reality the shift had already been underway.

MINI USA and other markets opted not to offer the all-electric J01 MINI Cooper and J05 MINI Aceman due to Chinese tariffs that wiped out their already slim margins. That decision jump-started a broader re-evaluation of MINI’s proposed transition to an all-electric lineup by 2031.

Last fall, we sat down with Mike Peyton, Head of MINI in the Americas, to discuss the brand’s previously announced EV strategy. What became clear in our conversation is that instability in the automotive industry—driven by tariffs and uneven EV adoption—has prompted MINI to rethink its approach. The result? There’s currently no firm end date for ICE production.

While the electric version of the Countryman is critical in the future, there’s a clear need for the combustion powered version to live on past it’s original expiration date.

First-up: Refreshing The U25 MINI Countryman

With this strategic pivot, MINI isn’t just extending the lifespan of its ICE models—it’s also refreshing them. First in line is the combustion-powered U25 Countryman, which will receive a Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) update around 2027.

This update will bring subtle exterior design tweaks, primarily focused on trim and lighting, along with an interior refresh. We’re hearing MINI will introduce new colors, materials, and some slight design revisions inside the cabin.

In terms of technology, we don’t expect changes to the OLED center display, but MINI will likely update its UX as part of a refreshed MINI Operating System.

Next: A New Combustion MINI Countryman

MINI’s original plan was to sunset the ICE-powered U25 Countryman by the end of 2030. However, with this shift, we now expect MINI to introduce a new Countryman that—like the F66 Cooper is to the F56—will be a heavily refreshedversion of the current U25.

While details remain scarce, sources suggest a “new” Countryman could arrive around 2030. We expect MINI to introduce an updated suite of in-vehicle technology based on BMW’s iDrive X, including the windshield panoramic display.

On the design front, expect MINI to introduce an evolution of its current design language. Exactly how that will alter the look of today’s Countryman remains to be seen.

Under the Hood: A Hybrid Future?

Since this is an internal combustion car, after all, the next-gen Countryman will likely continue using a revised B48 four-cylinder engine. However, given tightening regulations in the UK and EU, it’s increasingly likely that we’ll see a hybrid version of the B48 rather than pure combustion power. This hybrid setup could be based loosely on the plug-in hybrid system BMW currently offers in the X1.

2023	2027	2030+
U25 Countryman launched	U25 Countryman refreshed (LCI)	“New” Countryman launched

MINI’s Power of Choice Strategy Pays Dividends

Rather than forcing a rapid transition, MINI is continuing to embrace a dual-powertrain strategy, offering both ICE and EV options well beyond 2030. This aligns with BMW Group’s broader “Power of Choice” approach—giving consumers the ability to select what works best for them rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all EV mandate.

In our mind, this change isn’t a retreat from electrification, but rather a recalibration. MINI still sees an electric future but is acknowledging that the market needs more time to catch up.

For enthusiasts, this means more choices, longer availability of ICE models, and an opportunity to experience MINI’s next evolution without being forced into a single direction.

So, if you’ve been worried about the death of the internal combustion MINI, rest easy—it’s sticking around a bit longer than expected.

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