Following in the footsteps of the regular MINI hatch, Convertible and Clubman, the second generation of the Countryman is up next for a mid-cycle update and which should be revealed either in Geneva this March or in Paris later in September.

Spied testing near the Arctic Circle, the prototype pictured here continues to hide its front and rear ends under camouflage, but we already know what to expect. Changes include revised lighting graphics with the ‘Union Jack’ pattern at the rear, updated grille with honeycomb insert in the Cooper S variant and redesigned bumpers.

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A revised color palette and new alloy wheel offerings will round things up on the outside, whereas in the cabin, expect some subtle adjustments. The 2021 Countryman should feature a new infotainment system with a larger display and improved tech gear. Customers will likely get to choose between revised upholstery and new color trims, which should further highlight the revamped nature of the car.

The engine lineup should carry over largely -if not completely- unchanged from the outgoing models. The petrol and diesel range has outputs that vary between 103 PS (102 hp / 76 kW) in the 1.5-liter three-cylinder and 306 PS (302 hp / 225 kW) in the 2.0-liter turbo-four found in the John Cooper Works (JCW) variant. The latter does the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.9 seconds and maxes out at 250 km/h (155 mph).

The Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is believed to be part of the lineup with identical mechanicals, meaning a total output of 224 PS (221 hp / 165 kW) and 385 Nm (284 lb-ft) of torque. Nought to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes 6.8 seconds in the plug-in hybrid model, which has an electric range of almost 60 km (37 miles).

Picture credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops