Less than a year after introducing the Mini to the Island, Bermuda Motors is about to launch the latest version of one of the world's most iconic cars.

The Mini Countryman is the fourth addition to the Mini line since the marque was taken over and relaunched by BMW and it's the most radical design yet.

First of all, it's simply bigger than any previous Mini and the first to come with four-wheel drive (optional only on the Cooper S and Cooper D models). With four doors – also a first for a Mini – five seats, a more spacious interior and a good-sized trunk, the Countryman is likely to appeal to a much broader market.

"The Mini has been a classic car since the 1960s," notes Michael Butler, general manager of Ultimate Motors, "and while it has an image as a fun car, by design it wasn't practical for everybody. We're confident the Countryman is going to appeal to a new market as well as previous Mini owners who perhaps had to swap their beloved Mini for something bigger to accommodate a growing family. Now they can have the best of both worlds – a Mini that compromises virtually nothing in performance but is now a very practical and versatile car."

Although the Mini will comfortably fit two adults, two children and baggage (or more kids if you're on the school run) it's not only aimed at families. Collapse the back seats and there's ample room for two adults and two mountain bikes, kite boards, diving equipment or golf clubs – whatever fits your lifestyle. There's also a hidden compartment under the trunk floor and with the rear seats folded flat gives you a total 41.3 cubic feet of cargo space – positively cavernous by Mini standards.

In a test drive, The Sunday Times (UK) reported: "Being spacious and airy enough for even the loftiest adults, and with seating flexibility that allows you to trade legroom for load space, it will come as a pleasant surprise to anyone who's ever been wedged into the back of a Mini." The Countryman may be bigger than its predecessors – it's more than three feet higher than the standard Mini Cooper and almost a foot longer – but it retains the go-kart style handling that makes Minis such a joy to drive.

The Sunday Times noted: "Despite the extra height and weight, the Countryman is extremely agile … The 184bhp 1.6- litre Cooper S version we drove feels absolutely as quick as you need it to be, and remains as smooth through the gears and as agile as anything else in the Mini stable."

The basic six-speed manual Countryman has plenty of oomph too, capable of zipping from 0-60mph in about 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 133mph, although you won't want to try that on Front Street. It's fuel efficient, giving you up to 44.8mpg, and with C02 emissions rated at 146g/km, its well in line with strict European environmental standards.

There are plenty of optional extras too, such as myriad options for the cabin's centre rail, such as cup holders, armrests, storage boxes and iPod/iPhone docks. The latter works through a multimedia display and Bluetooth integration that lets you make hands-free phone calls or text and Tweet on the go.

The Mini Countryman is expected to be available from Ultimate Motors, Church Street, Hamilton later this month. Prices TBA. Call 292-0893 or visit www.bermudamotors.bm

Submitted by Ultimate Motors