MINI is arguably pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable to the brand with the new Countryman, which was made official today (20th January 2010), much earlier than BMW wanted it to be after a good ol' internet leak.

But no matter how loudly the fan boys harp on about the pillaging of the brand, the Countryman will almost certainly leave showrooms faster than MINI's Austrian factory can knock them together. Here's why...

The first MINI to be built outside the UK (which could in itself fan the flames) will seat four adults in comfort - the first MINI to do so - and has a boot fractionally bigger than that of the 1 Series. The 350-litre luggage compartment also expands to 1,170 litres with the back seats folded.

That's rear seats which come as standard as two individual chairs, thus allowing space for the front-to-back 'MINI centre rail'. This arrangement can be swapped for a traditional rear bench, thus festooning the car with a potentially useless fifth pew. Mind, that's as opposed to the useless accessories punters will buy to festoon their centre rails with, like multiple cup holders, iPod docks, armrests, cigar cutters, golf ball cleaners, coffee grinders and moisturiser dispensers. We made those last few up.

The looks are taken almost unaltered from the MINI Crossover Concept, so we get a high-riding, chunky five-door with uniquely shaped lights and some nice detailing, like the indicator housings and a smooth tailgate with VW-style 'badge as door handle' arrangement.

From launch power comes from all the engines found in the regular range, which means there'll be One D and Cooper D diesel versions, and One, Cooper and Cooper S petrol variants. Two-wheel drive is standard, though four-wheel 'All4' drive is an option, with 50/50 torque split between front and back in normal conditions and the capability of sending it all to the back if necessary.

We assume, though it's not made explicit yet, that the two-wheel ones will be front drivers, though rear-wheel drive is a possibility given the BMW X1's layout. That's unlikely though, because making the least sporty MINI a rear-wheel drive car while the others make do with front has 'PR difficulty' written all over it. Even MINI could struggle with that one.

As you'd expect, the options list will be biblically large. Already, MINI is touting loads of colours and materials for the interior, as well as wheels ranging from 16- to 19-inch diameters, the aforementioned centre rail stuff, lowered sports suspension (by 10mm), a panoramic sunroof and all the other items you'd expect like Bluetooth and GPS. Plus, of course, a section in the brochure marked 'John Cooper Works'. As yet, no JCW version proper is planned, but you never know.

It gets its debut in Geneva and will likely go on sale in spring, although that, like the price, is not clear yet. £17,000 is a reasonable starting point, rising to whatever you fancy.

Mark Nichol - 20 Jan 2010