Winding roads along rugged fjords are the perfect backdrop for the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 Untamed Edition, which is the perfect companion for a trip to a diving reserve. The archipelago on Sweden’s east coast consists of 24,000 islands – the perfect destination for adventure seekers with an irrepressible passion for travel.
Björknäs. Always follow your instincts – that’s what a fisherman in the small harbor at Björknäs advised when asked about the best route to Björnö. And that has indeed come true, as while the vast area of the archipelago east of Stockholm is expanding, at Mörtviken the route is approaching the open coastal landscape of the Baltic Sea. And this is not only something for the eyes, but also for the nose. The cool winter air of this region is surprisingly fresh, salty and invigorating. So it’s a good thing that the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 (combined fuel consumption: 2.1 – 1.8 l/100
km according to WLTP, combined energy consumption: 16.1-15.3 kWh/100 km
according to WLTP, CO2 emissions: 47-40 g/km according to WLTP), the Untamed Edition can be driven emission-free on the spot, the sea air
cloudless.
Just a few kilometers after starting in Björknes, Highway 222 at heads east through the Ekobergets Nature Reserve and repeatedly crosses the fjords inland on gently curving air bridges. At Gustavsberg, turnoff leads a little south into an extensive road network to Ingarö and deeper and deeper into the winter landscape. With the all-terrain MINI hybrid model, even driving on paved roads becomes a welcome adventure in search of the typical bright red Swedish wooden houses that are hidden at intervals. The classic Scandinavian color used for these houses is due to the high content of copper in earth pigments , which are necessary for mixing paint.
With colder temperatures and less and less traffic, road conditions are becoming increasingly wintry. No problem for perfectly matched MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 rims. Its 92 kW/125 hp 3-cylinder -cylinder petrol engine from 1.5-liter cubic meters drives the front wheels, while a 70 kW/95 hp electric motor drives the front wheels. sends of its power to the rear wheels. With a total output of 220 hp, the MINI is ideally equipped for whatever may come. The top speed of the in pure electric mode is 135 km/h.
In the high forest around the picturesque Fiskmiran Lake there are always grandiose views of the glittering white ice. Time for a short break and always enough time to open the AUTOHOME roof tent and take a peaceful look at the nature around us, in a snap by opening two safety latches front and back and with four gas springs. Inside you have almost a meter of space above. You don’t mind rain and wind. The material keeps dry and protected. Your picnic tastes even better on the comfortable cotton-covered mattress.
A journey through the island landscape of the Swedish archipelago is not for the unprepared. Because the region is too diverse to have a café or restaurant on every corner. After all, that’s what Stockholm is for. This is about getting to know nature and exploring the wilderness off the beaten tourist track. While the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 Untamed Edition continues its route to Bjorno, the route passes through scenic Baldersnes, from where the coast offers stunning views of the southern archipelago. The spacious islands that are visible from here give an idea of how many places there are to discover in this region from seas in the warm season. For example, trips to go fishing or canoeing are two of the most popular hobbies in Sweden. With up to 1275 liters of luggage space, the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 Untamed Edition offers plenty of space for all your equipment.
As we enter the Bjorno Nature Reserve, the cloud cover opens up and gives us a magnificent view of the Baltic Sea. The Swedes really appreciate these short sunny moments of, especially in winter, and use them in such a way that really takes some getting used to. At Björkvik’s Båtklubb on the Baltic Sea, there is still plenty of room for beach towels, but the steps down to the ice-cleared water are well filled with swimmers and the bathing season never quite seems to end in this part of Sweden.
To keep warm, we recommend a visit to Bistro Björkvik opposite, which offers views of the archipelago’s other offshore islands. As we contemplate the deep blue of waters, we begin to understand why some locals call their place in the world “The Caribbean of Scandinavia”.