Rally specialist X-raid has revealed its intention to tackle next year’s Personal Dakar Argentina-Chile rally with a highly-modified Mini Countryman.
The Mini ALL4 Racing, as this model will be dubbed, will form part of the X-raid team’s seven-car entry for the event, which starts in Bueno Aires on New Year’s Day.
Based on Mini’s recently-launched Countryman model, the X-raid car was developed in conjunction with Magna-Steyr while Heggemann Autosport GmbH was responsible for the fabrication of the frame and chassis.
The car will be powered by the same twin-turbo diesel engine that powered last year’s BMW X3 CC – the model the Mini has been earmarked to replace. Built in Steyr, where both Mini and BMW’s diesel engines are manufactured, this unit power unit delivers around 232 kW and 710 N.m of torque.
According to X-raid Team Director Sven Quandt, the Mini will offer improved handling characteristics compared to the X3 CC thanks to its shorter wheelbase and lower centre of gravity.
“This is a major development in cross-country rallying and something of which we are very excited,” says Quandt. “There has been a very short time between the decision to go ahead and the roll out for the next Dakar, but we are confident that the new MINI All4 Racing will be competitive out of the ‘box.”
The car will undergo a series of tests next week in France before it takes to the field with the French rally team of Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn.
