More power is always good and MINI seems to agree, as the 2021 MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Countryman gets MINI's most powerful engine ahead of its world debut in November 2020.

The four-cylinder, turbo engine gets specific modifications to the advanced Mini TwinPower turbo and independent cooling system - good enough to make 306 PS and 450 Nm.

Mated to an eight-speed Steptronic sport gearbox, the Countryman completes the century sprint in 5.1 seconds. 

Power is sent through the All4 four-wheel drive system.

Sports suspension, enhanced chassis rigidity and uprated brakes on all four corners set atop the adaptive chassis should help keep the driver on the road.

Outside, there’s a redesigned front grille and LED head and tail lights but the tails still keep the iconic Union Jack design.

There’s also three new colours to choose from too, from White Silver metallic, Sage Green metallic and Piano Black.

Behind the 18-inch JCW light-alloy wheels are Chili Red brake calipers, common tell-tale signs on fast cars.

Still, no compromise is made in the interior and the Countryman still features five full-size seats and a boot space of up to 1,390 litres.

Options include a digital instrument display, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen sitting in the easily-recognisable round centre panel. 

As for us, we think these upgrades makes a good car better. We know it's fast, and makes short work of the Sepang circuit. Read what my colleague Shaun has to say when he took it for a spin earlier this year.