The largest ever Mini model will go on sale this September, it has been revealed.

Starting at £16,000, the Countryman will be the first from the company to offer four-wheel drive and offers 190 litres more luggage capacity than the Mini Hatch, the next biggest model on the market.

Lee Connolly, Mini UK product manager, commented that the vehicle is perfect for use in everyday off-road situations like parking in a field for a sporting event or driving on the beach.

"The Countryman also brings new levels of space and versatility to the range that will attract not only existing Mini owners but also new customers," he added.

"We expect that the extra space will mean that around 80 per cent of Countryman sales will come from customers completely new to the Mini brand."

The Countryman will be built in Austria, the first Mini not to be manufactured on British soil.

The number of Mini car parts passing through the group’s Oxford plant may increase in the coming years, if a recent announcement is anything to go by.

Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management for BMW AG, revealed two new autos are going to be built at the facility.

One of the vehicles in question will be based on a model due to be unveiled later this month at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, while the other will be inspired by the Mini coupe concept.

Business secretary Lord Mandelson said the announcement was great news for the UK car industry.

Meanwhile managing director of the facility due to build the vehicles Juergen Hedrich stated: "The fact that Plant Oxford will be building these exciting new models shows the high level of flexibility of the plant."

In other news, Mini recently invited motorists in the south-east of England to apply to trial its new electric auto.

Drivers living in the south-east of England are being invited to test some new electric models from Mini.

Until the end of the month, motorists resident within the triangular area between west London, Oxford and Andover can apply to lease one of 20 prototype vehicles.

The Mini E UK research initiative received £25 million of funding from the government-backed Technology Strategy Board.

Successful applicants will be looking at paying £330 per month to take part in the scheme.

This fee includes maintenance, insurance and VAT.

However, drivers will be expected to pay for their own electricity.

Each car will be available to rent from December for a period of six months and Mini has predicted it will receive a "rush of interest" in the scheme.

In other news, the manufacturer recently announced it will unveil its coupe concept at this month’s Frankfurt International Motor Show.

The event is due to take place between September 17th and 27th.

Mini has revealed that its brand new model, the Concept, will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Running from September 17th to 27th , the motoring event will see the lid lifted on the Mini Coupe Concept fifty years after the unveiling of the company’s first-ever classic mini in 1959.

Designed to be the most capable mini model to date, the car is a two-seater, as tradition dictates, and boasts perfect axle load distribution, a low roof line and lightweight qualities.

A 250-litre storage capacity is another feature of the model, as is a three-spoke leather driving wheel, two Chronoswiss clocks and sports seats with "strongly contoured side supports".

Following the organisation’s 50th birthday, Mini revealed last month that it 1.5 million vehicles have now been produced at its Oxford plant.

Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, described the milestone as "wonderful".

Drivers who regularly buy Mini car parts to ensure their classic motor remains in peak condition may want to clear their diaries for this year’s Goodwood Revival.

The 2009 festival is set to pay tribute to the diminutive auto to help celebrate the vehicle’s half century.

Every day, visitors will be treated to a parade of 50 Minis and derivatives of the car.

Organisers have claimed there will be some rare treats, such as Wildgoose camping autos and ice cream vans.

This year’s St Mary’s Trophy saloon car race will also feature pre-1966 Group 2 Mini Coopers.

The people behind the event stated: "A full 30-car grid of 1275cc Mini Coopers will contest what is sure to be the most closely-fought race in the Revival’s history."

Motoring enthusiasts keen to attend the show will need to be free between September 18th and 20th.

In other news, it was earlier revealed Alfa Romeo was to be the celebrated marque at next year’s Race Retro.

Drivers who regularly buy Mini car parts to ensure their classic motor remains in peak condition may want to clear their diaries for this year’s Goodwood Revival.

The 2009 festival is set to pay tribute to the diminutive auto to help celebrate the vehicle’s half century.

Every day, visitors will be treated to a parade of 50 Minis and derivatives of the car.

Organisers have claimed there will be some rare treats, such as Wildgoose camping autos and ice cream vans.

This year’s St Mary’s Trophy saloon car race will also feature pre-1966 Group 2 Mini Coopers.

The people behind the event stated: "A full 30-car grid of 1275cc Mini Coopers will contest what is sure to be the most closely-fought race in the Revival’s history."

Motoring enthusiasts keen to attend the show will need to be free between September 18th and 20th.

In other news, it was earlier revealed Alfa Romeo was to be the celebrated marque at next year’s Race Retro.