First and foremost of course is the new MINI Countryman, on show in Cooper S and Cooper trims the MINI Countryman is the star of the show as far as MINI is concerned. Clever marketing and what is essentially a pretty clever car are proving a winning combination and the MINI stand is a bustling hive of activity on press day as usual, and we expect this to continue during the coming days!

The MINI One Convertible is also making its public debut at the show. While it may lack some of the glitz and glam of it’s more powerful, and larger brethren, the MINI One could prove to be an important addition to the MINI range in these eco and penny conscious times.

There is a MINI John Cooper Works Clubman tucked away in a corner of the MINI stand, alongside a rather gorgeous looking MINI Cooper S. And there’s a lot of emphasis on the new MINI technologies and, of course, the MINIMALISM theme.

MINIMALISM is an important theme for MINI this year, exemplified by the introduction of the new EU5 rated engines across the MINI range. MINIs low consumption, low emissions ethos is embodied in the the new MINI One MINIMALIST, available in both 75 and 98 horsepower versions, offering low CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km. Both vehicles also return an impressive 55.4mpg on the combined EU cycle. The MINI One MINIMALIST will go on sale in the UK this May. Prices as yet unconfirmed.

MINI occupy a good sized stand at Geneva, and there’s plenty to keep any MINI fan entertained for a good long while. But, take a wander around and you will see various “MINI rivals”, as well as the MINI Beachcomber Concept on display on the Magna Steyr stand.

If you’re a MINI fan and you’ve booked your tickets already, you’ve made a great decision. If you’re considering coming along, you could argue the MINI Countryman alone makes it one of the “must attend” MINI events of recent years, but there’s plenty more to enjoy aside from that, for a MINI fan, or any petrol head for that matter.

Being a family man, and owner of many a MINI, and classic Minis before that, the new MINI Countryman is aimed squarely at dragging me and my kin from our middle of the road Toyotas and the like, back to the MINI brand. Not only that, MINI is hoping to steal new customers from some of the “bigger boys”, while they seem ever intent on building their own “MINI rivals”. So is the MINI Countryman a fantastic move that’ll catch the competition with their pants down, or will MINI find themselves outflanked, taking their eye off the ball and branching out into areas where some will argue a small car manufacturer just doesn’t belong?

As usual, the MINI reveal was accompanied by music and dancing, but only three dancers this time, rather than the full marching band we experienced last year at the reveal of the MINI Roaster and MINI Coupe at the Frankfurt Motorshow last year. As the two oversized hats (I kid you not) raised from the stage, revealing the new MINI Countryman Cooper and Countryman Cooper S, the press as usual went mad and Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing described the new vehicle as being MINI on the outside, maxi on the inside.

While the Maxi reference may be a little jarring, or perhaps a tongue in cheek reference to the mixed reaction the “oversized MINI” has received among UK fans in particular, the ambition is admirable. But has the largest member of the MINI family lost more identity then it’s gained in girth?

Having been up close and inside the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Countryman models on display, I have to say this healthily cynical MINI admirer is singularly impressed. While the new MINI dials and centre console may appear a little “Mickey Mouse”, the level of quality around the cabin seems to have been turned up a notch. The centre console in particular has been modified just enough to take the somewhat awkward edge off the original design of the second generation MINI, and add just a touch more class. Unfortunately, it appears that the radio controls (unless you opt for various audio and navigation upgrades) while improved remain a little cumbersome, but overall it’s a really nice place to be.

The feeling on entering the MINI Countryman, as a person extremely familiar with the MINI range, is slightly surreal. Imagine coming home to find all your furniture just a little out of place, it all feels the same, but something has changed. The view from your favourite chair is somehow different than usual, you can’t put your finger on it, but it’s different.

The MINI Centre rail is the obvious difference on the inside of the new MINI Countryman. Designed as a sort of media and utilitarian hub that enables occupants to share gadgets and goodies between the front and rear of the vehicle. This is less unwieldy than I had been lead to believe by press images alone, and you can, with options such as MINI Connected offering smart integration between your MINI and your iPhone, see this being a very strong selling point, not only for the Countryman initially, but for a vast array of official and aftermarket gadgets.

Outside, for us, the MINI Countryman is more of a challenging proposition. The angular lights are a genuine break-away from any MINI previously built, and the angles and proportions are all different from MINIs we’re used to encountering on the road today.

The MINI Countryman is much smaller outside than dimensions alone can tell. The chunky features such as the large rear light clusters and MINI logo come latch on the boot lend a sense of proportion and purpose to the vehicle. Without a doubt this is a “proper” grown up vehicle, and a genuine contender for other vehicles in the traditional mid-sized hatch market.

We do have reservations, from some angles the car does feel a little awkward, less flowing than the MINI hatch and Clubman variants. From one particular angle, I found myself being reminded of the modern Ford Mustang when looking at the shark like “biting” bonnet design of the MINI Cooper S Countryman.

The rear seats offer a substantial amount of extra practical space than the MINI Countryman, without compromising on comfort. The door pocket design mimics that of previous MINIs, but slips the familiar hoop in two, with a decent amount of storage front and rear. Unfortunately, with the three seat rear bench option there is still not enough room for three children’s car seats in a row. But two seats should sit fine, and you may even be able to squeeze someone in the middle. But we make no promises on that!

The boot capacity is significantly increased over other MINI models, however it isn’t exactly cavernous. A regular hatch would probably still come out trumps on the practicality scale here, but the boot loading lip seems comfortably low and with the flexible rear seating options there’s plenty of storage for day to day family life.

I was cynical at first, I don’t mind admitting it, and without driving the new MINI Countryman there are still big questions to be answered. But on first impressions alone, thanks largely to the quality feel of the car and the genuine improvements offered in terms of passenger and cargo space, I’m warming to the new member of the MINI family quite nicely.

We will of course be publishing the big MINI news, and high quality images of the new MINI goodies on show right here on theSwitchback. To really get interactive, follow us on twitter, where we will post live text updates, little instant MINI pictures and even video live from the event. You can follow us on twitter for all the latest MINI news and gossip at twitter.com/theSwitchback

To get the best full on coverage of the MINI Countryman launch, we’d also highly recommend tuning into our friends at BigBlogg.info and www.MINIUnited.com. Of course, these guys have their finger on the pulse, and both tweet away at twitter.com/bigblogginfo and twitter.com/MINIUnited.

If you’d like us to shoot specific photographs or investigate any particular questions, drop us a message on twitter or our facebook page and we’ll endevour to find your answers on the day!

See you there for the MINI Countryman and more!

While official representatives of MINI and Prodrive, the Banbury based vehicle and motorsport technology firm believed to be in cahoots with BMW in producing the Countryman based WRC car, remain tight lipped, the evidence suggests the pieces are falling into place for a 2011 rally debut for the reborn MINI.

On February 1st, Max Rally reported the MINI WRC car was in the works. The report was typically vague citing only “sources” with no direct quotes, other than from an evasive David Richards (Prodrive managing director) committing only to say that

It is still our intention to be in the WRC in 2011.

A couple of weeks later the story gained some momentum with Max Rally reporting that Norwegian driver Mads Ostberg was doing his utmost to be the driver behind the wheel of a MINI WRC car under the management of the Prodrive team.

According to the same article, last week representatives from BMW and MINI accompanied key Prodrive personnel on what was described as a fact finding mission to Rally Sweden which ran from 11th to 14th February this year.

More recently, RallyBuzz fleshed out the story, stating that testing is due to begin in the summer, and that along with as-yet unamed MINI representatives and David Richards, Prodrive technical director Dave Lapworth and ex-managing director of the Subaru WRT Richard Taylor met with controlling representatives of the World Rally Championship to discuss their plans to bring MINI to the WRC in 2011.

On announcing the pricing for the fourth member of the new MINI family, Jochen Goller, Director of MINI UK had this to say:

The extra space and ALL4 MINI break new ground in the brand’s 51 year heritage. With Countryman prices starting at £16,000 and a very high standard specification, we are introducing more MINI piquancy into the crossover market this year.

The MINI Countryman will initially be available in five trim levels; MINI One Countryman, MINI One D Countryman, MINI Cooper Countryman, MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper S Countryman. Three models will offer the All4, four wheel drive option. The MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper S Countryman will offer this from launch in September, with the MINI Cooper Countryman All4 slated for a 2012 launch. There have also been strong indications a John Cooper Works version of the MINI Countryman will make an appearance in the not too distant future, if there’s suggestion of strong demand for such a vehicle.

The basic prices for the MINI Countryman range are as follows:

• MINI Countryman One: OTR Price: £16,000
• MINI Countryman One D: OTR Price: £17,000
• MINI Countryman Cooper: OTR Price: £17,510
• MINI Countryman Cooper D: OTR Price: £18,810
• MINI Countryman Cooper S: OTR Price: £20,810

The ALL4 models costs an additional £1,065 for the Cooper D or £1,220 for the Cooper S. No exact figures for MPG or emissions effect have been given for the All4 variants. For full specifications of the MINI Countryman range, see our previous MINI Countryman article.

The petrol engines are the updated 1.6 litre power plants already announced for the MINI, Convertible and Clubman models due to hit the roads next month, while the diesel units are shared with the rest of the MINI range. The petrol engines all feature Variable Valve Timing (VVT) similar to the BMW Valvetronic system that produces more torque low down and aids overall efficiency. The Cooper S model also features a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection that gives blistering performance with modest fuel economy and low CO² emissions. All engines meet EU5 emissions standards.

The MINI Countryman range offers standard equipment including:

• Roof rails that facilitate various attachments like roof boxes or roof racks
• Thatcham Category 1 alarm system
• Air conditioning
• Heated door mirrors and washer jets
• Rear park distance control
• MINI Central Rail system
• Multi-function rear seats – the five seat fitment being standard in the UK, although the four seat option will be at no cost
• Dynamic Stability Control
• Electric power steering with Servotronic speed-related assistance
• Six airbags
• ISOFIX child safety seat mountings
• Tyre puncture warning system
• Standard Central Bass Hi Fi system with six speakers
• DAB digital radio with Radio Boost
• Bluetooth telephone preparation
• USB connection
• Passenger Airbag deactivation
• Preparation for a bicycle rack

As for the target market for this, perhaps rather unusual, new offering from MINI, Lee Connolly, MINI UK Product manager made the following remarks:

Countryman ALL4 is a soft off-roader for use in everyday situations like parking in a field for a sporting event or driving on the beach…

The Countryman models still pack in the driving thrills that put a grin on your face the way all MINIs do. But the Countryman also brings new levels of space and versatility to the range that will attract not only existing MINI owners but also new customers. We expect that the extra space will mean that around 80 per cent of Countryman sales will come from customers completely new to the MINI brand.

Jochen Goller’s words conclude the official MINI press release, taking a cheeky side-swipe at MINIs competitors in the process (which new small or medium sized car isn’t announced as MINI rival these days?!).

We always maintain that MINI is not a boutique brand like some of its competitors. MINI is not a one trick pony and as the brand blossoms still further with Coupe and Roadster, MINI will soon be a six model family. All this has happened within a decade of MINI’s rebirth.

Among the usual heavy marketing jargon are plenty of juicy details. One stand out fact, as it’s highlighted in the very title of the press document, is the MINI Countryman is not called the MINI Countryman in every market. This reveals how strong the desire must have been to carry on the usage of this heritage name, even if it means marketing the car under a different moniker in some regions.

There’s no doubt about it, the new MINI Countryman is a hot topic. People are up in arms about it, MINI fans or otherwise, and the controversy was only to be expected. A MINI with four doors, with all wheel drive, with angular headlights… It’s just all too much to take!

MINI are promoting the new MINI Countryman along the lines of freedom, versatility, and fun. As an extension to the MINI family, which is familiar, yet innovative and new.

But you can make your own mind up about the emotional and historical significance, or otherwise, of the last incarnation of the MINI brand. We’ll try and serve your desire for information with a summary of the official information released today about the MINI Countryman, and what it means in practical terms for the current, or potential, MINI owner and enthusiast.

The MINI Countryman will initially be offered in all MINI model specifications, apart from John Cooper Works. This means that there will be Countryman versions of the MINI One, MINI One D, MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper D and range topping Cooper S form. The MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper S Countryman will also have the option of an all wheel drive system branded ALL4.

The ALL4 all wheel drive system features an electrohydraulic differential positioned directly on the final drive, which varies the distribution from front to rear in an infinite process. Under regular driving conditions up to 50 percent of the engine’s power is directed to the rear wheels, while under more “extreme conditions” this can increase all the way to 100 percent rear wheel drive, which is certainly something never seen before on a production model MINI or Mini of any variety.

The MINI Countryman, despite being the largest ever production MINI, will only seat four occupants in standard trim. This is an interesting decision, carried over from the MINI Crossover and MINI Beachcomber concepts. Those sighing in dismay that they thought this could finally be the MINI for their family need fear not. A conventional three seat rear bench option will also be available across the range as a no cost option, at the expense of the unique MINI Center Rail system.

Luggage capacity is 350 litres as standard, which is 90 more than the Clubman and more than double that of the MINI. The rear seats move forward and back individually for the four seat model or in a 60:40 split on the five seat version. The backrests can also be tilted forward to increase capacity, for the three seat bench this is in a 40:20:40 split. With seats tilted forward, capacity increases to 440 litres. The maximum stated luggage capacity is 1,170 litres.

The MINI Countryman comes equipped with all the standard safety features we’ve come to expect from the modern MINI. Front, side and curtain airbags, three point inertia reel seat belts all round, and ISOFIX child seat fastenings for the rear seats.

Ambient lighting is fitted in abundance, and a unique MINI Center Rail comes as standard. This is a central mounting point where various accessories, such as cup holders, ipod docs and such, can be mounted and shared between front and rear occupants. The aftermarket possibilities for this rather quirky feature would appear to be almost limitless.

In terms of the exterior, the MINI Countryman roof features practical roof rails in place of the Clubman’s style focused “dunes”. A roof carrier system will also be offered as a cost option from MINI, and no doubt aftermarket suppliers soon after launch.

The MINI Cooper S Countryman with ALL4 will feature runflat tyres as standard, a technology which MINI have recently appeared to be moving away from, and they will remain optional across the rest of the range.

The MINI Countryman will be offered in a range of eleven colour options, with customers of the Cooper Countryman, Cooper D Countryman and Cooper S Countryman having the ability to select a black or white contrasting roof.

All petrol variants feature a 1.6 litre (1,598 cc) four-cylinder petrol engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel injection and fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.

MINI Cooper S Countryman:

• max output 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm
• max torque 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm (260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost)
• Acceleration 0–100 km/h in 7.6 seconds top speed 215 km/h (133 mph)
• Average fuel consumption to the EU standard 6.3 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 44.8 mpg imp), CO2 rating 146 g/km

MINI Cooper Countryman:

• max output 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm
• max torque 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm
• Acceleration 0–100 km/h in 10.5 seconds, top speed 190 km/h (118 mph)
• Average fuel consumption to the EU standard 6.1 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 46.3 mpg imp), CO2 rating 142 g/km

MINI One Countryman:

• max output 72 kW/98 hp at 6,000 rpm
• max torque 153 Nm/113 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm
• Acceleration 0–100 km/h in 12.7 seconds, top speed 175 km/h (109 mph)
• Average fuel consumption to the EU standard 5.9 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 47.9 mpg imp), CO2 rating 137 g/km

MINI Countryman Diesel variants feature a four-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium crankcase, common-rail fuel injection and variable turbine geometry. Capacity 1,598 cc.

MINI Cooper D Countryman:

• max output 82 kW/112 hp at 4,000 rpm
• max torque 270 Nm/199 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm
• Acceleration 0–100 km/h in 10.9 seconds, top speed 180 km/h (112 mph)
• Average fuel consumption to the EU standard 4.4 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 64.2 mpg imp), CO2 rating 116 g/km

MINI One D Countryman:

• max output 66 kW/90 hp at 4,000 rpm
• max torque 215 Nm/158 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm
• Acceleration 0–100 km/h in 13.2 seconds, top speed 170 km/h (105 mph)
• Average fuel consumption to the EU standard 4.3 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 65.7 mpg imp), CO2 rating 113 g/km

For many more high resolution images of the new MINI Countryman, be sure to check out our Flickr page.

But, for those of you who haven’t stumbled across these already online, we present the first official photographs of the fourth variant in the MINI family.

While there are only three photographs available to show at present, they feature three of the most revealing angles possible. The front, rear, and sides are all shown clearly, as well as the front portion of the interior, including new smaller front doors and redesigned dash area.

So, aside from the nitty gritty details, including pricing, you can consider the MINI Country well and truly revealed.

If you’re an avid MINI watcher, you may have noticed a striking resemblance between the disguises used by BMW of late on their MINI test mules and said Magic Eye patterns.

It appears the similarity wasn’t lost on some bright spark in the MINI marketing department either. Now, thanks to a BigBlogg exclusive you can relive those halcyon cross-eyed days, and get a sneak peek of the all new MINI Countryman / R60 Crossover vehicle. But be warned, stare too long and it may just turn into just a random pattern of swirly lines!

Lots of images, and more information (in German) over at BigBlogg