AS we welcome the big new MINI Countryman the first might not have pleased brand enthusiasts, but there’s no doubt the second best-selling model was still a massive sales success.

It sold 543,493 from September 2010 to September 2016, of which 75,399 found homes in the UK alone.

Well, that was Countryman MK1 and after six years success, this is the second-generation all-new version of MINI’s popular crossover.

Business Car Manager was very lucky to get an early look at the new MINI off-roader in pre-production Cooper form and can bring you the highlights of this new SUV challenger.

Firstly, you’ve probably clocked it in the pictures, but – in case you haven’t – the Countryman has grown and takes over from the recently launched Clubman as the biggest MINI on sale.

The Countryman is now the adventurer of the range and lives in the cut-throat C-SUV sector, where MINI believe its key rivals will be the all-new Audi Q5, controversially its sister car, the BMW X1 and the recently launched Volkswagen Tiguan.

The Countryman’s shape remains instantly recognisable, as the basic silhouette, with its floating roof carried over from the 2010 original.

However look closer and this MINI has a more powerful, more rugged look, with an extra 20cm of length – most obvious at the back, with the longer rear quarter lights.

Another highlight of the new, bigger MINI SUV, is the fact that this new Countryman will be the first production MINI offered with a hybrid drivetrain we recently reported..

Called the Cooper S E ALL4, it takes the ‘E’ from the fleet of electrically-powered second-generation MINI hatches that were trialled on UK roads and that last made an appearance at the 2012 Olympics.

The Cooper S E ALL4 boasts four-wheel drive and hot hatch performance, with 220bhp but ultra-low 49g/km emissions. Power comes from a 136bhp petrol engine in the front, with a further 84bhp coming from that extra electric motor.

Apart from the ‘E’s’ yellow highlights, the only way you’ll tell its the Countryman Cooper S E, is by its electric charging point, which is hidden in the front passenger side A-panel.

One of the more obvious changes over the original, is the chunkier, wider, more SUV-like stance (by 3cm) of the second-generation Countryman. As I said, the basic shape might be an evolution of the original, but be in no doubt this MINI is all-new.

At the front of the Cooper we previewed, the bonnet is obviously curvier, but the three-bar grille and large stretched headlights remain – but both are bigger!

The lights themselves are now asymmetric in shape and this Cooper was particularly distinctive, with a band of LED DRLS running all the way around edge – although we don’t know whether these will be optional or not.

From the side, as I mentioned, the roofline on the new Countryman looks similar to the outgoing one, but this time to emphasise more of its rugged character, chunkier roof bars are fitted.

Plus, the door shuts are sharper, its shoulders more defined and MINI have thankfully tidied up the fussy ‘A’ panels of the current car and fitted the more aggressive repeaters.

Move on to the back of the new Countryman and this is where I think the biggest change over the original’s styling has taken place. There are new rear lights, with LED technology, plus a curvier more upright boot, with the number plate recess in the centre of it – recalling the classic original – rather than lost below in the rear bumper of the current car.

Inside, like the rest of the current MINI range, the centrally-mounted dinner plate-sized speedo has gone in the bin. It’s been replaced with a centre screen, which is LED-edged, for the infotainment system – that is now touch-operated.

The dashboard design is all-new and features architecture unique to this model. On the Cooper we looked at, the middle of the dashboard and centre console featured distinctive back-lit surfaces.

The extra length of the Countryman’s bigger wheelbase equals 5cm more legroom in the back, three proper rear seats, better access, plus 100 litres extra boot volume taking it to 450.

Clever design features in the boot include a fold-out rear cover that protects the rear bumper from unwanted scratches and scuffs when loading and unloading luggage.

Plus, the optional, adaptable boot floor can also slide out and be used as a picnic bench from the boot. Finally, the boot itself features an easy-open tailgate.

Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S, Cooper S E ALL4 and Cooper SD ALL4 models will be available from late February. The entry-level Cooper starts at £22,465.

We’re told specification mirrors the Clubman, with satellite navigation, Bluetooth and Emergency E-Call all standard. The key model for business buyers will again be the Cooper D, which will boast 110g/km emissions, yet offer 150bhp performance.

Business Car Manager will bring you more details on the new MINI Countryman as soon as we have them.