Mini Countryman EV leaks in all its glory mere days before official launch, revealing potentially polarising design

Mini has teased the upcoming launch of the new Mini Cooper and Mini Countryman electric vehicles, and there have been leaked snapshots and an official tease of the interior of the upcoming Minis. However, a new leak, shared by chochespias1 on Instagram, put both the exterior and interior design of the upcoming Countryman EV on full display.

If these latest leaked images are anything to go by, it appears that the Countryman has undergone a rather significant styling update in both the internal and external departments. Confirming what we saw in previously leaked images, the Countryman appears boxier and more aggressive — as much as a Mini can be aggressive — than its predecessor.

It has more squared-off edges, sharper headlights, and a more muscular look, overall. Judging from the comments and the reception of the original Countryman launch, these changes are bound to be divisive amongst Mini fans. At least the Union Jack tail lights are still present, in some form.

The more interesting changes, though, come from the interior, where the Countryman looks almost like a concept car. Gone is the nifty gauge cluster that moves up and down with the steering column. In its place, Mini appears to be relying on a combination of on the heads-up-display in the front of the dash and a substantial 9-4-inch circular OLED infotainment display. 

Fortunately, Mini hasn't gone all-in on the futuristic, touch-only control scheme, like many EV makers have. The steering wheel and central control surface under the infotainment display both still appear to be packed with buttons, maintaining a tactile, easy-to-use driving experience.

The rest of the interior is updated to match the futuristic electric drive train. The colourful dash and door panels are trimmed with metallic bits that, in combination with the rounded metallic air vents, give the interior of the new Countryman EV a very sci-fi look. It's certainly unique, but, given its somewhat minimalist approach, Mini purists may argue that it chips away even further at the classic Mini quirkiness we've come to expect from the BMW-owned brand.

The Mini Countryman EV is slated to launch alongside the new and improved electric Mini Cooper on September 1 at 11 AM CEST.

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