The next Mini Countryman will be joined by an electric crossover Car News

While the Mini hatchback will remain relatively similar in its next generation, a bigger redesign is expected at the wider end of the Mini range.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Mini five-door hatchback won’t get an electric version and the station wagon is unlikely to be directly replaced.

For those looking for a more practical Mini EV, there will be a new electric-only compact crossover to sit under the Mini Countryman. This smaller, more premium model is due to be unveiled later this year and will also be built in China as part of the Spotlight joint venture between the BMW Group and Great Wall Motor.

It’s likely to take on a much more radical design than the retro-inspired production Mini models seen to date. This smaller crossover will allow the Countryman to grow to better serve buyers with families, as well as buyers in the United States, who are traditionally predisposed to large cars.

Contrary to previous reports, the plug-in hybrid version of the Countryman is set to disappear. Like the rest of the future Mini range, the new Countryman will be powered by petrol or electric transmissions. A diesel version is under development but will not be offered in the UK.

Countryman production will shift from its current headquarters in the Netherlands to Germany as Oxford focuses on the hatchback and convertible and the new Chinese factory handles electric cars.