MINI has published preliminary details about the heavily-modified Countryman that will compete in the 36th edition of the grueling Dakar Rally. After winning the race in 2012 and 2013, the company is eager to take home another victory.
The rally-ready Countryman is designed to look like its regular-production counterpart but the two share virtually no parts. The race car is considerably bigger all around than a run-of-the-mill Countryman and the bulk of its body is crafted out of carbon fiber.
Inside, the pilot and co-pilot are treated to custom-built Recaro bucket seats with six-point harnesses, a three-part dashboard made with carbon fiber and a central information display that provides vital information such as the car’s speed and the oil pressure. The navigation equipment is mounted on the passenger side of the dashboard.
Power comes from a 3.0-liter diesel-burning straight-six that uses two turbochargers to generate 307 horsepower at 3,250 rpms and 516 lb-ft. of torque from just 2,100 rpms. Power is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox designed by Sadev.
Four fully-adjustable shock absorbers per axle and water-cooled six-piston rear calipers help the Countryman safely power through the South American desert.
MINI will field three cars in next year’s Dakar – including one driven by famed French pilot Stéphane Peterhansel – and private teams will enter seven more.