How the New BMW iX3 Sets the Stage for the Next MINI Countryman

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The all new BMW iX3 is the first SUV built on the Neue Klasse platform and it is already drawing praise for its dynamics and tech. But it’s the underlying tech and how it will affect future MINIs that has us excited.

MINI will share the platform, processors and battery tech from thew Neue Klasse vehicles like the iX3 on the Countryman and perhaps the rest of the range. But what it will not share is the iX3’s size. The Neue Klasse platform has been engineered to flex from the footprint of the Countryman all the way to the X7. MINI will use the smaller end of that spectrum which allows the Countryman to stay true to its proportions while taking full advantage of the newest engineering baked into the system.

The iX3 Driving Experience Gives Us the Best Preview of MINI’s Future

Early iX3 reviews published on BimmerFile have been surprisingly unified. This is not another incremental EV. It is BMW Group’s first real expression of what the next decade of electric SUVs will feel like.

Reviewers highlight three major themes.

• Sharper dynamics. Autocar, Car and Driver and others point to steering precision that feels more natural and a chassis that seems lighter on its toes despite the size.
• A new generation of electric motors. Power delivery in the iX3 is smoother, more immediate and more efficient thanks to BMW’s sixth generation eDrive units.
• Better battery integration. The Drive notes how BMW’s new modular packs contribute to better balance and a more composed ride on rough roads. It also charges up to 400kW compared to 130kW on the current Countryman SE.

You can see the full roundup here:

the BMW iX3 has Arrived – Here are the early reviews

Across all of them there is a consistent tone. Neue Klasse is a step-change moment for BMW Group. And because MINI will sit on the same foundation and use the same tech, that change is headed straight for the Countryman.

How the iX3 Shapes the Next MINI Countryman

MINI has confirmed that the next generation Countryman is moving to Neue Klasse and will launch in 2032. That gives MINI a full cycle of engineering maturation before the brand jumps onto the platform. The benefits will be significant.

1. A Massive Upgrade in Electric Drive Technology

The sixth generation eDrive motors used in the iX3 will also underpin MINI’s future EVs. Expect more efficiency, more punch off the line and a driving refinement that has been missing from the current Countryman EV. A big part of this is the “Heart of Joy” processing unit which offers enormous processing power dedicated solely to driving engagement.

2. Lighter, Better Balanced Packaging

Neue Klasse’s modular battery design does more than boost range. It allows engineers to lower mass, distribute weight more intelligently and sharpen handling. Everything reviewers praise in the iX3’s composure will help MINI deliver the most capable and predictable Countryman yet.

3. A More Agile, More MINI-like Feel

The platform’s structural and suspension advancements make big cars drive smaller. That is exactly the trait MINI depends on. While the Countryman will grow only slightly compared to the current model, the architecture will allow MINI engineers to tune the crossover into something far more responsive than the present UKL-based version.

4. A Real Leap Forward in Tech

Neue Klasse introduces a new electrical architecture designed for faster computation, higher bandwidth, better sensor integration and long term software updates. MINI has been candid that the next wave of its core models will take a major step up in digital experience. The Neue Klasse base makes that shift possible.

Why Platform Sharing Does Not Mean a Bigger Countryman

MINI fans often worry that platform partnerships with BMW will push the brand toward bigger footprints. In this case the opposite is true. BMW built Neue Klasse to be flexible. It can support the size of a Countryman, the footprint of an X3 and the mass and wheelbase needed for an X7.

MINI plans to sit on the smaller end of the spectrum which allows the Countryman to grow only minimally while still inheriting the same tech, structural improvements and electric powertrain found in the iX3.

The Updated Countryman Timeline Why the Wait Matters

According to the latest from your October 2025 report:

• The current U25-generation Countryman will be extended, with production now confirmed to continue until at least 2032.  
• Meanwhile, the switch-over to a full Neue Klasse–based Countryman EV has been pushed out four years — from what had been roughly 2028 to 2032.  
• In the interim, MINI plans at least two life-cycle updates (LCIs) for the current U25 Countryman, the first of which begins with March 2026 production; that likely includes updates to the existing EV versions to improve range and charging performance.  

In short: the next “true” Countryman under Neue Klasse won’t arrive until around 2032 — which buys BMW Group time to refine the architecture, but also means MINI buyers won’t get the full benefits immediately.

What the Delay Means And What MINI Stands to Gain

The postponement might frustrate early adopters, but there are potential upsides.

When the Neue Klasse Countryman finally does arrive, it will likely debut with a proven architecture — refined through use in models like the iX3 and possibly others — improving reliability, drive feel and long-term software support.

By waiting until 2032 to roll out a Neue-Klasse Countryman, MINI and BMW Group can let the platform mature, fix early bugs, and perhaps improve battery and software infrastructure.

The two LCIs before then give MINI a chance to keep the current Countryman competitive, possibly improving range, EV performance and features.

Our Take

The new BMW iX3 shows us exactly how transformative Neue Klasse is for BMW Group. The driving precision, the smoothness of the sixth generation motors and the stability of the modular battery design all point to a platform that is far more advanced than anything MINI has used before.

For the first time since the original Countryman arrived in 2010, MINI is about to make a foundational leap in engineering. The iX3 is the preview. The Countryman is the beneficiary. And judging by the early reviews, MINI fans should be excited for what arrives early in the next decade.

The post How the New BMW iX3 Sets the Stage for the Next MINI Countryman appeared first on MotoringFile.

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