Mini Countryman - Prices - Ferring Street, Worthing Sussex England

Reviving a name familiar to millions of original Mini drivers, the new Countryman will make up the fourth model in the MINI family. Aimed at owners who find the MINI is no longer meeting their needs (for instance, because of a growing family), the Countryman provides extra versatility and practicality.

It's the first model in the MINI range with four doors and a wide-opening rear lid, and enjoys a slightly elevated seating position. Like most crossovers on the market, the car will be offered with optional four-wheel drive, in the form of MINI ALL4 system.

A choice of three petrol and two diesel engines built in conjunction with PSA will be on offer, complying with the EU5 and, respectively, ULEV II emission standards. The power range extends from 90 hp in the MINI One D Countryman all the way to 184 hp in the MINI Cooper S Countryman. A wide range of features serve to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, among them Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start Stop, a gearshift point indicator, and on-demand management of the engine's ancillary units.

The ALL4 all-wheel drive uses an electrohydraulic differential positioned directly on the final drive varying the distribution from front to rear in an infinite process. Under normal driving conditions up to 50 per cent of the engine's power goes to the rear wheels, under extreme conditions up to 100 per cent. The Countryman comes as standard with DSC Dynamic Stability Control, DTC Dynamic Traction Control coming either as an option or as a standard feature on the MINI Cooper S Countryman and the MINI Cooper D Countryman with ALL4, as well as an electronic limited-slip function for the front axle differential.

The design language of the MINI brand is maintained despite the larger body dimensions, greater ground clearance and four doors at the side. There are short overhangs, a high window line, powerful stance on the wheels, and window graphics extending round the entire car. Classic cues include a hexagon radiator grille, the large headlights integrated in the engine lid, the surrounds on the side direction indicators, the voluminous wheel arches and the upright rear light clusters in new style and class.

The extra space within the car, in turn, is emphasised by extra-large windows, the introduction of four doors, and the individual shape of the roof. The particularly wide frame around the lower part of the body and the powerfully flared wheel arches allude to a robust character of the car and its all-wheel drive.

On the inside the slightly elevated seating position guarantees comfortable and pleasant access to the car and optimises the driver's all-round view. The Central Display and air vents are surrounded by coloured rings. A new 'Centre Rail' replaces the traditional centre console and opens up new, individual options for integrating all kinds of storage boxes, cupholders, external audio devices, mobile telephones and other comfort features. Flexibly positioned clip-in elements enable the driver and passengers to subdivide the storage boxes individually as required, keeping travel utensils within easy reach, wherever they are required.

Prices for the versatile new MINI Countryman will be announced ahead of the UK on-sale date in September.