OK, so you wouldn't tackle the Birdsville Track in one, but with four doors and a wide-opening rear hatch, the new MINI Countryman does significantly broaden the usefulness of the British-inspired/German-created cute compact.
MINI says its fourth model maintains the go-kart like driving dynamics of its siblings but the larger size, increased ride height and optional all-wheel-drive gives a new dimension to the Countryman.
It's actually quite clever with the bigger body maintaining the relative scale and styling cues of its siblings - such as headlights on the bonnet and the hexagon radiator grille. Even the windows are larger than other Minis and the wheel arches are flared to accommodate wheel sizes ranging from 16 to 19 inches.
Inside, MINI fans will notice lots of similarities with other models but also significant changes - most noticeably the elevated seating position and unique 'Centre Rail' storage arrangement.
The standard seating arrangement is a four-seater but a three-seat bench seat for the rear is available as a no-cost option. Back seats move fore and aft and the maximum luggage capacity is a miraculous 1.170 litres.
MINI Countryman is powered by a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines. The range-topper is the 135kW 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the Cooper S Countryman.
Those opting for all-wheel-drive will get an electrohydraulic differential positioned directly on the final drive and providing infinite distribution from front to rear. In normal conditions 50 per cent of the power is transmitted to the rear wheels, but in arduous going up to 100 per cent can be transferred.
Like oher memberS of the MINI family, the Countryman can be optioned wit a wide range of accessories.
