Still struggling to get a handle on how big and butch the Mini Crossover SUV will be?

Our detectives in Scandinavia have snapped the first shots of the new Mini 4x4 testing in the snow.

We reckon it’s a pretty close rival to the Toyota RAV4 and its ilk – the soft-roader Mini will be engineered more for Sainsbury’s kerbs than Saharan sandstorms, although earlier scoops confirm that it will have four-wheel drive.

The best clue to the dimensions and spirit of the Mini 4x4 is found in the Paris 2008 concept Crossover vehicle. Strip away the fancy doors and over-the-top detailing of the show candy, and you’ll capture a flavour of what BMW intends. In short: to rinse out even higher list prices from its premium small car, gently expanding the gene pool now the regular hatch has been on sale for eight years.

Tipped to bear the name Crossman, the SUV, or SAV (sports activity vehicle) as Mini wants to label it, is targeted at buyers down-sizing from bigger, full-blown off-roaders.