MINI isn’t wasting any time expanding the lineup of its newly introduced Clubman wagon, adding two ALL4 versions, which is ‘MINI’ talk for all-wheel drive.

The first non-SUV MINI to be offered with four-wheel drive employs an electronically controlled AWD system with a hang-on multidisc clutch that decouples the rear axle differential under normal driving conditions to improve fuel efficiency and reduce torque losses up to 30 percent.

When necessary, the hang-on clutch relays torque to the rear wheels within a fraction of a second by means of an electrohydraulic pump. The system is interconnected with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) that can separately brake or provide additional torque to each wheel.

Everything else is carried over from the front-wheel drive Clubman.

The ALL4 is set for a world premiere at the New York Auto Show in April, and will be available in North America with two engines borrowed from the standard front-wheel drive model, a 134hp 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder gasoline unit on the Cooper, and a 189hp 2.0-liter turbo four gasoline on the Cooper S.

With the standard 6-speed manual, the Cooper S Clubman ALL4 hits 60mph (96km/h) in 6.7 seconds, while with the optional 8-speed automatic, in 6.6 seconds, with both times representing an improvement of 0.3 seconds over the front-wheel drive model. The base Cooper does the same in 9.2 seconds with the standard 6sp stick shift, and in 9.3 seconds with the 8sp auto.

Two models will also be on offer in Europe at launch, including the Cooper S with the same 189hp (192PS) 2.0L turbo four petrol, but instead of the smaller petrol, MINI will offer the Cooper SD with an 187hp (190PS) 2.0L turbo diesel connected exclusively to the 8sp Steptronic.

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