THEY often say that all good things come to those that wait.

This is certainly the case with the latest offering from those MINI-marvels at BMW who have transformed this iconic brand.

While the car has been around now for a good couple of years under German ownership it has evolved beautifully since its arrival.

Granted there was a slight blip with the styling of the Clubman but it is best that we forget that for now.

No, the real winner for me is the MINI Countryman4 which is a complete riot on wheels - in all the best ways imaginable.

Butch, brazen and bold it is also an absolute lifesaver especially when it comes to adverse weather conditions which we have been experiencing of late.

Thanks to its slick four-wheel drive system that cuts in automatically whenever the car detects any slippage it made a complete mockery of the snow-covered roads.

At first I was kind of sceptical when I watched the advert on the television where the Countryman burst out of the garage and off on its journey despite the heavy snow lying on the driveway.

Yes, right, I thought to myself it could do all that and much more besides.

Perhaps I was slightly swayed by my own personal experience many moons back when I bought one of the original Minis.

Apart from the fact that it proved rather reliable - which was a first - the little blue-coloured runaround was fun and economical.

But when it came to mounting anything remotely challenging like a speed bump or pavement it struggled woefully.

So, I was a tad intrigued when the new Countryman turned up on my doorstep just ahead of the blizzards.

Sitting slightly taller than the other MINIs, it certainly more than looked the part with its white livery and contrasting black roof and wheel-arches.

When it came to admiring glances it more than grabbed the limelight.

In Cooper S guise the car came with some swanky treatment inside the surprisingly spacious cabin.

Restricted to four leather seats that gripped you in places you didn't know existed the interior was cleverly split in two by an extended console that housed cup-holders and storage bins.

When the headlights are switched on it also had a sporty glow that gave the car a plush ambience.

The bank of switches for the air conditioning, windows etc looks a bit complicated at first but you quickly learn.

Under the bonnet the 184bhp engine produced plenty of power when you needed it without sounding strained at any time.

Capable of 130mph and a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.9 seconds I have to take MINI's word on that as conditions didn't lend themselves to push it too hard.

Despite all the technology crammed into the Countryman it didn't feel too weighted down and was agile and rewarding around town.

It has to be said that the car isn't cheap but, in fairness, you are getting a lot of kit for your hard-earned dosh.