Electrified Pork Pie run

Two Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) will be on the 2019 Pork Pie Charity Run from Kaitaia to Invercargill.

The event starting April 19 features 60 vehicles, old and new, travelling more than 2500km over six days with the PHEVs in it for the first time.

Team Mini NZ will be led by product and sales planning manager Lisa Kleinheinz, driving the first Mini Cooper S E ALL4 Countryman. The second car will be driven by a KidsCan team, including the charity’s chief executive officer and founder Julie Chapman.

The Mini Cooper S E ALL4 Countryman is the brand’s first electrically-powered model, combining an electric and petrol drivetrain.

Later in 2019, Mini will unveil its first-fully electric hatch model, expected in New Zealand during 2020.

Now in its 12th year, the biennial Pork Pie Charity Run is staged in partnership with the KidsCan Charitable Trust which supports Kiwi kids in hardship with essentials for learning including food, shoes, raincoats and health items.

Supported by Mini New Zealand, the run ends in Invercargill on April 24.

Mini is also celebrating 60 years since the launch of the classic Mini, with a special edition to be launched mid-year to commemorate the occasion.