2 days Ago
The not so mini Mini Countryman is bigger, badder, better and is available for the first time as a full-blown electric model. Now in its third generation, the hulking MPV has grown 60mm in height, 130mm in length and also boasts a longer wheelbase. The EV is also considerably heavier, which is not going to favour the legendary Go Kart handling associated with the brand, but more about that later.
Design-wise, we can see the BMW influence beginning to manifest itself with a much more chiselled front end that is completely devoid of chrome. The massive solid grille finished in piano black does sport a chequered flag in the centre (JCW spec) which also doubles as a sensor pack for the level-two autonomous driving capability. The signature circular headlights sport a more angular look and are now configurable, as are the rear clusters where you now have options to the Union flag motif that featured on older models.
Along the flanks, a sharp crease raises the shoulder while the doors now feature the same flush handles as the flagship 7-Series BMW. A two-tone roof (red on our test car) matches the wing mirror casing and the drop-down wings in the floating C pillar. Black and brushed aluminium 21ins, five-spoke rims add a massive dollop of sportiness, as does the deep roof spoiler.
Inside is where the real magic begins to unfold and where the car’s sustainability shows. The upper dash and doors are covered in a knitted fabric made from recycled plastics taken from the ocean. The sports-bucket seats are covered in vegan leather and add a touch of premuimness, although it was a bit frustrating that the heating mechanism only works when the battery-killing fan is activated.
But the piece de resistance is the hallmark central touchscreen which mimics the speedo binnacle of the original. Measuring over 9 inches the OLED touchscreen has no fewer than eight modes: Core, Green, Go-Kart, Personal, Vibrant, Timeless, Trail and Balance. Each has a host of different functions.
The central touchscreen mimics the speedo binnacle of the original. My personal favourite was Timeless which features a transistor radio dial straight out of the 1940s and displays the radio stations in a classic italic font. There’s a bank of toggle switches below, including a starter switch that you twist to fire her up — pretty cool but useless in an electric car.
The fit and finish is top notch and matched by few, although the fabric third spoke on the steering is an acquired taste. The all-electric Countryman is offered in two performance levels, E and SE ALL4 with the petrol models available in C, S ALL4 and JCW ALL4. Customers in Ireland have the choice of three highly specified trims: Classic, Exclusive and Sport.
We tested the top-end electric which on paper looked mega impressive, combining all-wheel drive with hot hatch-like 313bhp and 494Nm of torque. Straight-line speed is simply phenomenal which is only enhanced by the futuristic Starship Enterprise-esque whirr that tips up the decibels the faster you go. On more challenging roads, the 1.
7 tonnes of bulk begins to take its toll on drive dynamic and handling. In tight bends it wallows and even with traction in all four corners, the body roll kicks in, dampening the fun. That said, the Countryman is a super comfy cruiser and even at prolonged motorway speeds can easily achieve 70pc of the claimed range of 433km.
But if it’s fun you’re after, I’d stick with the good old-fashioned petrol. Prices for the Mini Countryman start at €48,550 - €54,630. New Opel Grandland arrives in time for 251 Opel has announced pricing and spec details for the new Grandland.
The flagship model, winner of an illustrious Golden Steering Wheel award, is available here in both hybrid and electric, with first units of the hybrid arriving in showrooms this week, followed by the fully EV version in December. Opel Grandland SUV Available in two trims – Elegance and GS – prices for the all-electric model will be from €40,936 and €43,763 respectively, inclusive of grants. This is significantly below the retail price of their hybrid equivalents, which cost €42,995 and €44,995.
As reported recently, tThe EV will be powered by a 73kWh battery and will have a claimed range of 523km, while a bigger unit arriving later will cover 700km on a single charge. For now though, the hybrid will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine with 136bhp twinned to a 21kW electric motor and six-speed dual clutch transmission.
Opel reckons the new tech enables drivers to travel on full electric up to 50pc of the time in urban settings. The new offering is longer, wider and features larger wheels than the outgoing Grandland. Sitting at 4,650mm long (+173mm), 1,934mm wide (+49mm) and 1,665mm high (+36mm), with 20mm more legroom in the rear, it also has up to 1,645 litres of luggage room in the boot and 36 litres of cabin storage.
Standard kit on the EV includes adaptive cruise control, a 10-inch infotainment Pure Panel screen with phone projection, a 10-inch driver information cluster, 19-inch alloys, plus front and rear parking sensors. with rear view camera, power folding mirrors, smart key with passive entry and start, auto high beam LED lights, AGR driver/passenger seats, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and a power tailgate. The range-topping Grandland Electric GS trim retails from €43,763 plus delivery and boasts a 16” Infotainment Pure Panel HD multi-media screen with navigation, IntelliLux 50K pixel HD Headlamps, the new 3D illuminated Vizor with edge light technology, two tone black roof, privacy glass and wireless charger.
The new Opel Grandland Electric enjoyed its Irish debut on Sunday 10th November in Dublin’s RDS, when it was unveiled at the Nevo EV Show. With almost 20,000 EV enthusiasts in attendance, the star of the Opel stand is due to land in Irish showrooms this December. Renault Scenic EV wins Irish Car of the Year The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric has scooped the 2025 Irish Car of the Year award in association with Continental Tyres.
Renault Scenic It is the fifth year in a row that an all-electric vehicle has won. The field of eligible cars for this year’s awards was broken down into eight categories and then the overall winner was drawn from those eight models. The Irish Car of the Year 2025 category winners were: The Irish Van of the Year 2025 gong was awarded to the Mercedes-Benz Vito.
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