MINI has announced that they will compete on January’s Dakar Rally.
MINI will run an extensively modified Countryman, which has been built and developed by All4 Racing. The car will be entered under the Monster Energy X-Raid Team.
The car will be powered by a twin-turbo diesel engine, which produces 315bhp and 710Nm of torque. The engine is an updated and improved version of last year’s engine which powered the BMW X3 CC, which scored 4th and 5th on the 2010 Dakar Rally and won the FIA World Cross-Country Cup for a third time in 2010.
"Compared to the BMW X3CC, the Mini will be characterised by improved handling as the overall length is shorter and it is lower. We have also been able to improve on many other smaller details, such as the relocation of smaller components to lower the centre of gravity." said Sven Quandt.
The Raid version of the Countryman will be a different animal to its WRC cousin. It will sport multiple air intakes, including a large one in the roof, a single piece bonnet and an improved ventilation system. Downsides to the car will be that entry and exit will be slightly more difficult and visibility will be slightly reduced.
The idea was first thought up in mid-2009. Monster Energy X-Raid team boss Sven Quandt began looking into the feasibility of the idea. He held talks with engineering firm Magna Steyr about building the car and with BMW about the car becoming a replacement to the X3 CC.
Construction of the car began in November of this year. All4 Racing finished the car earlier this month and it will have its first test in France next week, in preparation for the Dakar Argentina
“This is a major development in cross-country rallying and something of which we are very excited," admitted Quandt. "There has been a very short time between the decision to go ahead and the roll out for the next Dakar
Guerlain Chicherit, 2009 FIA World Cross-Country Cup winner, will drive the car on the event. Chicherit also won the Dakar Challenge in 2005
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