Mini Clubman All4 wants to help you tackle the great outdoors

Like the idea of a Mini Clubman but want to ensure you can battle the worst of British weather? You’re in luck. An all-wheel drive version has just been announced by parent company BMW.

The Mini Clubman All4 is the brand’s first all-wheel drive in the highly competitive C-segment, the first non-SUV Mini to get the all-wheel drive system that controls the amount of torque sent to each axle to provide maximum traction when needed, and the first All4 to be built at the Oxford factory.

All4 will be offered on the Cooper S Clubman and Cooper SD models. Previously the All4 system was reserved for Mini Countryman models only.

The Mini Cooper S Clubman All4 is powered by the same 189bhp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 200Nm of torque that is capable of 0-62mph in seven seconds with the standard six-speed manual and 6.9 seconds with the optional eight-speed Steptronic transmission. Top speed is 142mph.

Fuel economy and CO2 emissions for the Cooper S Clubman All4 petrol lump are 44.8mpg and 159g/km, respectively.

Meanwhile the Mini Cooper SD Clubman has 187bhp, 400Nm of torque and is slower from 0-62mph, at 7.2 seconds, but has a more economical fuel economy figure of 58.9mpg and lower CO2 emissions of 126g/km. It tops out at 138mph.

Standard extras on the All4 models include Mini’s Navigation System and the Mini Excitement Package, which includes ambient interior lighting, ISOFIX child seat mountings for the rear seats and a light that projects the Mini logo on the ground by the driver’s side for 20 seconds.

Optional extras include a head-up display that allows you to concentrate on the road ahead and Driving Assistant, which uses a camera to maintain a set distance from the car in front while in cruise control, and to warn you of a potential collision or pedestrian. You can also spec a rear-view camera.

Those who want to really pimp their Mini can go for the Chilli pack, which adds LED headlights, LED fog lights, park distance control, comfort access system and automatic air conditioning, all for £2,785 – a saving of 30 per cent if you bought all the options separately.

A Mini Cooper S Clubman All4 starts from £27,410, making it £2,600 more than the non-All4 model. A Cooper S All4, meanwhile, is £2,060 more expensive, starting from £24,305.

Those who care less about traction and more about the sun should know the new Mini Convertible will be arriving in March 2016. We’ll be driving it in February so stay tuned for how well we think it drives.