Automotive

Mini to overland the Pan-American Highway with special Countryman plug-in

Mini to overland the Pan-American Highway with special Countryman plug-in
Mini brings a bit of adventurous spirit to the annual NY Auto Show
Mini brings a bit of adventurous spirit to the annual NY Auto Show
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Mini prepares to travel across North and South America
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Mini prepares to travel across North and South America
Mini is showing the Countryman Panamericana at the 2018 New York Auto Show
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Mini is showing the Countryman Panamericana at the 2018 New York Auto Show
Mini believes the SE Countryman ALL4's plug-in hybrid powertrain will offer the perfect combination of power, efficiency and long-range driving capability
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Mini believes the SE Countryman ALL4's plug-in hybrid powertrain will offer the perfect combination of power, efficiency and long-range driving capability
The Mini Countryman Panamericana is upgraded with extra lighting and a roof rack with spare wheel
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The Mini Countryman Panamericana is upgraded with extra lighting and a roof rack with spare wheel
Mini Countryman Panamericana
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Mini Countryman Panamericana 
The Countryman Panamericana also receives special graphics
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The Countryman Panamericana also receives special graphics
After its NY Auto Show appearance, the Mini Panamericana will journey from North America to the southern tip of South America
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After its NY Auto Show appearance, the Mini Panamericana will journey from North America to the southern tip of South America
Three individual Panamericanas will make the cross-continental trip
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Three individual Panamericanas will make the cross-continental trip
The Countryman Panamericana will face rough roads, high mountain passes and a brief trip over water during its travels
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The Countryman Panamericana will face rough roads, high mountain passes and a brief trip over water during its travels
Mini brings a bit of adventurous spirit to the annual NY Auto Show
10/13
Mini brings a bit of adventurous spirit to the annual NY Auto Show
The Countryman Panamericana joins an electrified classic Mini Cooper in highlighting Mini's electric technology program
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The Countryman Panamericana joins an electrified classic Mini Cooper in highlighting Mini's electric technology program
Mini Countryman Panamericana
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Mini Countryman Panamericana 
Mini Countryman Panamericana
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Mini Countryman Panamericana 
View gallery - 13 images

As it moves closer to launching a fully electric production car, Mini is having some fun with electricity. It's added battery power to a classic Cooper for the 2018 New York International Auto Show, where it's also showing a very different electrified model. After spending some time at Jacob Javits, the specially prepared Mini Countryman Panamericana plug-in hybrid will embark on an adventurous journey from Texas to the tip of South America.

This year's NY Auto Show is full of SUVs and pickup trucks of every size and power level. Who would have thought the one going on the biggest post-show adventure would be a hybrid Mini Countryman? But it seems like that's how it'll play out.

The Panamericana is a lightly ruggedized version of the Cooper SE Countryman ALL4. It's not exactly John Cooper Works Buggy rugged, but it has been equipped with auxiliary lights, tires with emergency running characteristics, and a roof rack for hauling a spare wheel. It also has a custom North/South America paint job tying into its mission.

The Mini Countryman Panamericana is upgraded with extra lighting and a roof rack with spare wheel
The Mini Countryman Panamericana is upgraded with extra lighting and a roof rack with spare wheel

One of the world's greatest roads and vehicular adventures, the Pan-American Highway is a route from the northern reaches of North America in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to the southernmost tip of South America. Mini doesn't plan to complete the entirety of the route, instead getting started in Dallas, Texas this July as a tie-in with its "Mini Takes the States 2018" biennial owners' rally. It will travel southward through Mexico and into Central and South America, all the way to Tierra del Fuego.

Besides just being a pretty damn cool promotional trip for those involved, Mini's overland voyage will serve to demonstrate the efficiency, reliability and long-distance touring performance of its plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Countryman plug-in will allow for zero emissions driving for Mini-estimated 25-mile (40-km) stints before the 1.5-liter turbo engine kicks back in to maintain the continuity of the ride. The combination of gas engine and electric drive puts out 221 hp (165 kW) and powers all four wheels in an intelligent AWD.

Mini Countryman Panamericana
Mini Countryman Panamericana 

Mini will send three Countryman Panamericanas on the trip, which will include developed highway, gravel road, mountain passages and a brief water passage around the notorious Darien Gap on the Panama/Colombia border. The journey kicks off on July 15, and Mini will broadcast imagery from the road via its Instagram news channel.

Source: Mini

View gallery - 13 images
1 comment
1 comment
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is cool and green.
I wonder how well it can tow a small trailer?