BUSINESS is often thought of as city-based, but there are plenty of small and medium-sized companies in country towns and villages across rural Britain.
If you’re one of those, look no further than the new MINI Cooper Countryman ALL4.
Previously only available on the high-powered MINI Cooper S and Cooper SD Countryman models, the new four-wheel drive Cooper Countryman ALL4 makes MINI’s compact crossover a highly attractive company car proposition.
The permanent all-wheel drive system helps with the unpredictable British climate, improving traction in rain, ice and snow, as well as making the Countryman even more fun to drive on twisty roads.
Also available in the Paceman coupe-crossover, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine produces 122bhp and 160Nm of torque. Add the thirstier automatic gearbox and that figure jumps to a punchy 190Nm. That means the manual car will do 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 114mph.
The Cooper Countryman ALL4 will do 41mpg and emit 167g/km (VED H) of CO2.
Prices are yet to be announced, but the ALL4 four-wheel drive system normally commands a premium of around £1200. This means the new Cooper Countryman ALL4 should start at around £19,200, while the Cooper Paceman will cost around £20,200.
If these estimated figures materialise, expect the Cooper Countryman ALL4 to cost a 20% rate taxpayer around £80 a month in company car tax.
The Cooper S and Cooper SD Countryman ALL4 models remain, but rural company car managers and SME owners looking for supreme all-weather grip on a realistic budget should now look to the lower-powered Cooper Countryman for a stylish, frugal and fun, all-wheel drive SUV.