Inspired by their WRC rally car, MINI launched a John Cooper Works version of its Countryman 4×4 car.

This car might sound pointless to many people. It is based on a car that is supposed to be good offroad, but isn’t really, and is now turned into a sporty machine with even less ground clearance and sport suspension, which is useful offroad and is too big to be any good on tarmac either.

It is pointless actually, to tel you the truth, but you get the sense it was made for fun. It’s like a big daft dog. This promo video MINI has put together shows what the car is best at:

The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is powered by a newly developed 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It boasts a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve control based on BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.

The power plant reaches its maximum output of 218 hp at 6,100 rpm and generates peak torque of 280 Nm between 2,000 and 5,600 rpm. The Overboost function briefly pushes this up to 300 Nm. Performance will not disappoint JCW fans. The Countryman accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds with either the manual or automatic transmission. Top speed is 140mph, or 139mph on the auto. The MINI JCW Countryman is the most powerful MINI production model of all time.