It has already been confirmed for entry in next year’s World Rally Championship. But the MINI faces an even tougher challenge before that.
The Countryman-based model will take part in the gruelling Dakar Rally, having been comprehensively rebuilt by specialist German firm X-raid. The 2011 Dakar runs from 1-16 January in Chile and Argentina, with stages lasting as long as 413 miles.
Called the Monster Energy Countryman All4 Racing, the car has a twin-turbo diesel offering 311bhp, and the body is now made of a lightweight mix of carbon and kevlar. Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit will take the wheel for the Dakar, with testing beginning this week ahead of the start of the event in Buenos Aires.