http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/goodwo...-ahead-goodwood

I also have more info from my local dealer (to the home email address, so will try to post it tonight).

Cheers,

Speaking of Minis; a girl who lives near us has bought herself a Mini Cooper D All4. It looks the result of a Mini that has had a love affair with a Range Rover, a sort of Mini on steriods look. It makes the original Morris Mini look like a pygmy.

I have to agree with you Gamba, it is a bit of a monster. Could BMW be sued under trades descriptions for questionable use of the word 'mini'?
Gerry.

It's another preview at FOS.
The launch isn't until later in the year. Customer cars, err vans, should be available in the autumn.

MINI Countryman Peter. Nowt small about them. I believe BMW wanted to call what is now the Clubman, the Countryman, as that was the original name of the Austin Mini estates, but BMW didn't have the rights to the name back in 2007. Maybe Countryman is more suited to a 4x4 (though the Countryman is available in 4x2 I believe).

Something wrong with the file I've been sent, so copy & paste is out and I'm not going to manually type the 2 page print out I've been given

Cheers,

Hi Graham - if you have been sent a PDF it may be locked for editing - this can be undone... click here and that should sort it

Nope, it's got corrupted in sending to me...
But thanks anyway...

Cheers,

We had a Countryman All4 as a loner last winter when the Cooper was in the shop. Originally I was very excited about the Countryman because of its entry in the WRC and they look rather like an hulking Cooper in a way. We were both disappointed in the handling and ride quality, as it was very minivan like compared with what we are used to. Also, the rail system for the cupholders and armrest were good in theory, but they took up far more room than they were useful for. I have not driven a Clubman yet, but since it is based off of the Cooper, I still hold out hope that the price of admission is worth the ride.

I like the Clubman, from how it looked when I saw my first in late 2007, to test driving a couple of 2008 models last year. Like the extra space over the hatchback and the longer wheelbase is more comfortable on longer trips - less pitching. It works for me! Must do, as I traded a 10 y.o. Boxster in for mine!

I mean, you can see by my avatar why I thought it was so sexy!

I had a Countryman on loan and whilst it was one of the weedy engine variants, I found the ride okay and the interior a nice place to be (I agree that the cup holder rail setup was a total waste of space). Personally I didn't get the market segment they were aiming for. As has been said, it isn't small and IMHO there are better cars in the class (size and price point); however, due to the appeal of the standard Mini, no doubt they will sell to people who need a more practical version.