For years now we’ve talked about the JCW Countryman. And for years that talk has been fed by well placed sources and good info. But until now we’ve never even seen the most camouflaged prototype out testing. Until now. Behold, the JCW Countryman.

Thanks to the intrepid spy photographers at the Motor Authority we have our first look at the JCW Countryman. Lowered and clad with the JCW aerokit and 19″ JCW wheels this is the Countryman many of us have been waiting for. Now, let’s take a closer look at what to expect with the JCW Countryman.

Our sources have indicated for awhile that the JCW Countryman will come, from the factory, the way the R56 should have from the start. Because the factory at Magna Steyr has more option capacity, there’s more for MINI to spec the car with. So that means (as seen here) 19″ JCW R129 Double-Spoke wheels, JCW brakes, JCW aerokit and even the JCW suspension. Yes the JCW Countryman appears as if it will be well specced and sorted from the factory.

Then there’s the engine. With around 3,000 lbs to motivate we believe MINI won’t be sticking with just the 208 hp JCW engine. Based on some educational guesses and reading between the lines of what a few sources have said to us, we believe MINI will introduce a newer, higher power 1.6L JCW engine with the Countryman. What will that figure be? We don’t know but we’d guess something north of 215.

So when will this hyper-Countryman be available? With the Coupe being released in the next few months we’re guessing it will either be pushed to late this year or perhaps even early next. Our money is on Geneva and winter of 2012.