Mini has expanded on its range yet again with a hot version of its Countryman, the biggest Mini to date.

The John Cooper Works Countryman is the performance model of the range and is the first to come with all-wheel drive. The reason for the all-wheel drive makes sense as the JCW Countryman is powered by a four-cylinder, 1.6l, turbocharged engine - the most powerful engine ever dropped into a Mini's engine bay.

The 160kW engine will propel the Countryman from 0-100km/h in seven seconds, Mini claims. Along with the powerful engine, the hot Countryman also comes equipped with brake energy regeneration, gear shift indicator, auto start-stop function and electric power steering.

Mini says that the JCW Countryman was inspired by the rally-going Countryman that competed in the WRC Championship with a string of comeptitive performances in the series.

The sporting heritage is carried over to the JCW Countryman which includes includes an aerodynamic kit which lends extra muscle to the front and rear apron, as well as bespoke side skirts, 18-inch light-alloy wheels.

Inside, the JCW sports sports seats, sports steering wheel, interior trim strips in Piano Black, anthracite-coloured roof liner and dark speedometer and rev counter dials.