Guten tag guvnah! 2024 Mini Countryman to grow in size, get German accent, as small SUV aims for Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and more

The next Mini model to debut will in fact be maxi, with the BMW-owned British brand preparing to unveil the next-gen Countryman SUV.

The current version is already the largest Mini on sale and the new one is expected to be larger still. Images released by BMW of a camouflaged next-gen Countryman highlight the larger dimensions.

In its current form it measures 4.3 metres long, 1.8m wide and 1.6m tall, but that will grow with the new model. Some international reports suggest it will be 4.5m long.

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The reason for the change in dimensions is to make room in the Mini line-up for the upcoming Aceman crossover. The Aceman - so far only seen in concept guise last year - will sit between the Mini Hatch and the Countryman, and it will be exclusively electric and built in China.

This will put it in the crosshairs of models like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q2 and Q3, and its own sibling - the BMW X1.

Mini has announced that the new-gen Countryman will be the first Mini model to be built in Germany - the home of parent company BMW Group. Up until now the current model has been built in the Netherlands, as well as India, Indonesia and Malaysia for those markets.

The Mini Hatch, Clubman and other short-lived models like the Coupe and Roadster were built at Mini’s spiritual home in Oxford, England.

BMW has chosen its Leipzig plant for Countryman production. This plant is BMW’s flagship sustainable manufacturing facility and was home to production of the i3 and i8. Other models produced there include the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series Gran Coupé and 2 Series Active Tourer.

The next Countryman will be offered with fully electric, and with internal combustion engine power.

Mini will also produce the high-voltage batteries for the electric Countryman at Leipzig.

Production kicks off at the end of 2023, meaning an Australian debut is likely some time in 2024. CarsGuide has contacted Mini Australia to clarify timing.

The next Countryman will be offered with fully electric, and with internal combustion engine power, and be based on the UKL2 platform that underpins models like the BMW X1.

Mini says one in five sales are for electrified models, which currently include the plug-in hybrid Countryman and the all-electric Mini Hatch.

Mini is in the process of transitioning to an all-electric brand by 2030.