Mini has been a giant in the automotive industry for years now. As a treat for the fans and followers, a crossover of the firm with its new Countryman has been declared. Going through a big change, the company’s new models are expected to utilize Mini’s design language and would be launched as an EV for the first time.
Powerful Mix and Match
The new Countryman range of cars to be launched in late 2023 is expected to have a variety of cars, each with a distinct specialization from the other. As for the new Countryman cars and their specifications, among others, some modifications on the current and older models are anticipated. These include a Cooper SE featuring a powerful combination of a 231bhp motor and a 50 kWh battery which, between charges, should come in handy for 250 miles; a Cooper E offering a 185 miles range with a 184bhp motor and a 40kWh battery.
Everything Is Better
The later launches, expected in 2025, are expected to feature variants of the John Cooper Works with all-wheel drive, and dual motors giving a target output of 320bhp in addition to gaining in size. The new range is also predicted to expand the consumer base, with the smaller Aceman following in terms of size. With all these new features, the range will continue some of the styles from the Urbanaut and Aceman, with the minimalist cockpit with a two-spoke steering wheel and a bigger round center display, hexagonal front-end graphics and the grille with the bumper as a significant part.
Green Plant
The new Minis would be the first one to be made entirely in the Leipzig plant of the BMW Group and would have electric and combustion engine powertrains. A green plant, the Leipzig plant of BMW, which opened in March 2005 uses self-generated electricity that is derived through four wind turbines. The new Countryman’s production at this plant would mark the first time that Minis and BMWs have been made on the same production line.
Amazon Plans to Extend the Destinations of Its Rivian Electric Vans
Amazon is already in a Christmas mood! The retail-delivery giant is expanding its fleet of Rivian electric vans to cater to more customers this holiday season. Launched in July, these electric delivery vans started to deliver packages in a few selected dozen cities. According to the online sales giant, over 1,000 Rivian vans have delivered over 5 million packages to Amazon customers since July, and the network is already growing in more than 100 cities across the USA.
The Expansion
According to the latest news, Amazon has placed a huge order with Rivian for 100,000 delivery EVs, hoping to achieve the figure by 2030. By the end of this year, the online retailer is planning to run multiple thousands of delivery vans on USA roads. The uptick of this whole endeavor is that, alongside expanding the size of its Rivian van fleet, the company is also extending its reach. A few of the new cities to receive these Amazon delivery vans on their streets are Boston, Austin, Houston, Denver, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Newark, Madison, Oakland, New York, Portland, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, and Provo.
The Fleet
Rivian electric vans are perfect as climate-friendly vehicles for Amazon and other similar last-mile delivery companies. These quiet and energy-efficient vans are usefully built with a much lower driver area and floor, ensuring easy loading. Amazon has already pumped a lot of money into Rivian over the last few years, led by a whopping $700 million investment back in 2019. The new order for more vans has inevitably included a larger budget, especially to get it market-ready by the next eight years. These delivery vans are custom-made exclusively for Amazon, though Rivian offers a similar-looking delivery van on its official website. The current Amazon delivery fleet, running on USA streets, also includes Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. But the distinctive-looking Rivian-built EV promises to be a game-changer for the online delivery company.