IT IS no coincidence that the truly pint-sized models of days gone by are seen less and less frequently, as safety regulations and buyer requirements have seen most cars grow in size to the point where brands like Mini can hardly match their name.

The most obvious example of that is the Countryman – Mini’s offering in the small SUV segment, which is admittedly a key segment in this day and age. 

Despite being far larger and heavier than the original Minis of the 1960s, the new breed can arguably offer a more dynamic experience than its forebears thanks to a marked increase in not only handling dynamics, but outright power.

We took the most powerful member of the Countryman line-up – the potent JCW variant – out on the road to see whether extra power is a worthy replacement for light weight.