car to ride: MINI Countryman

New MINI Countryman John Cooper Works Priced in the UK, Plus New Gallery with 55 Photos

The Mini family is expanding with the first John Cooper Works (JCW) performance model to come with the firm's ALL4 all-wheel drive system, the new John Cooper Works Countryman that goes on sale in Britain with a starting price of £28,595.

The 4,133mm long, 1,789mm wide and 1,549mm tall crossover packs a 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that utilizes direct-injection technology and a twin-scroll turbocharger to produce 215hp (218PS) and 280Nm (207 lb-ft) of peak torque or 300Nm (221 lb-ft) with the overboost function.

Scoop: MINI Paceman Cooper S Put Through its…Paces on the Nürburgring

No matter who takes over the Nürburgring track after its major stakeholder, the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, filed for bankruptcy this week, automakers will continue to use the fabled circuit to hone their cars, just as MINI is doing with the Paceman Cooper S model.

In regards to the three-door crossover's name, MINI chief executive Kay Segler recently confirmed that the coupe version of the Countryman will be dubbed "Paceman" adding that it will go on sale next year.