There's nothing mini about the new Mini Countryman -- in fact, it's the largest model to wear the iconic badge to date.
It will also be the first Mini to be sold with the option of a plug-in hybrid version -- officially called the Cooper S E Countryman.
And it comes with a raft of new features, not least its own picnic-bench attachment.
The new model is scheduled to go on sale in New Zealand Mini showrooms during the second quarter of next year, with prices and specifications revealed closer to launch date.
The new bigger Countryman is part of Mini's push into the red-hot luxury compact SUV sector.
And whereas Mini may be the dominant force in the premium supermini sector, it faces stronger competition if it wants to take the mantle as the go-to car here.
The Nissan Qashqai is the biggest seller in the UK, though it is premium models like the all-new Audi Q2 (coming to NZ at the same time as the new Countryman), Mercedes-Benz GLA and Volkswagen Tiguan that Mini will soon be competing with.
That might explain the Countryman's expanded dimensions for this second-generation car -- it's 20cm longer and 3cm wider than the last Countryman. At 4.3m long , it's also more than a metre longer than the 1959 original.
But although the extra bulk is a long way from traditional values, Mini hopes the decision to go bigger will improve the Countryman's appeal against similar-sized premium cars -- taking aim at the Volkswagen Golf.
Whereas the first-generation car was almost a reverse Tardis (in that it looked big on the outside but was cramped inside), the new version should be more spacious, as well as better finished with the more premium materials a model at this price point demands.
Mini says it's a full-fledged five-seater this time and leg room can be expanded for rear passengers by sliding the rear bench back by as much as 13cm.
And don't think all this extra passenger space eats into the boot -- in fact, Mini says it's 450 litres in capacity (though we imagine this is with the rear seats slid as far forwards as possible).
That's 70 litres bigger than a VW Golf and more capacious than the back of a Nissan Qashqai.
As well as being bigger, the boot also has a couple of new features -- one being a picnic bench. Mini describes it as 'a flexible surface that folds out of the luggage compartment' that provides seating for two people. It is, however, an optional extra.
But because the luggage compartment is bigger -- and there are more cubbyholes for storage -- the Countryman will also be sold with tags you can attach to your luggage as part of the "Find Mate" feature.
It helps you track where you've left things in the vehicle and fires a warning beep to help you locate misplaced items.
Also new for Mini is the 8.8in touchscreen infotainment system found in the traditional central-mounted display, although this, too, is an optional extra. The radio, phone settings and standard-fit sat-nav are all controlled on entry-level models using the BMW i-Drive controller mounted in the centre console.
It's also stolen the "Connected" feature from sister brand BMW. This lets you connect your smart device to the car using an app that then helps you locate the vehicle in a car park, it also knows your calendar so you're not late for a meeting, and sends a warning if there's heavy traffic on your commute.
Also helpful is another new feature that's unique to the Countryman, called "Country Timer". When driving off-road, the system monitors the surface and flashes up on the screen to say if you're currently on a slope, uneven terrain or snow-covered tracks.
The worse the surface, the more the Mini icon on the display turns from a "Street Cruiser" road car into a "Cliff Champ".
Despite all the new gadgetry, it's the driving flair Mini hopes will draw customers, utilising the brand's go-kart-like handling in a much bigger, family-friendly package.
The engine range is the usual pick of Cooper and Cooper S petrols as well as the Cooper D and Cooper SD diesel.
Fastest of the lot is the 2.0-litre Cooper S, which can sprint from 0-to-100km/h in 7.5 seconds in front-wheel-drive form, or 7.2 seconds if you opt for the ALL4 all-wheel-drive automatic.
There will be a greener option called the Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 and it's the first plug-in hybrid Mini.
It combines the three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine found in the standard Cooper models to power the front wheels, with an electric motor generating power for the rear wheels -- enough power for a 0-to-100km/h time under seven seconds.
More bold still are the efficiency claims: CO2 emissions of 49g/km, electric-only driving at speeds of up to 125km/h with a range of up to 40km; and lithium-ion high-voltage batteries that can be charged at a wallbox in around two hours.
Daily Mail