Wild rally-bred MINI Countryman revealed
German rally raid race team X-Raid turns to British SUV to create Dakar-inspired special editionMINI has released images of a rugged MINI Countryman Powered By X-Raid SUV that draws inspiration from the rally raid racers that compete in the Dakar Rally.
Developed by German rally raid race team X-Raid, which has competed with race versions of the MINI Countryman since 2010, the new limited-edition gets a motorsport-inspired set-up that includes new long-travel coil-overs that raise the standard Countryman's ride height by a further 40mm.
Other changes made to create the rally-inspired Countryman include more rigid top mounts and tougher dampers, as well as a set of race wheels that come wrapped with a grippier set of Cooper Discoverer AT3 tyres that boost traction on mud and gravel.
According to X-Raid, the higher ride height of the Countryman gives it not only better approach and departure angles, but enable it to ford deeper and generally travel a lot quicker cross country.
If you get a puncture, the tough wheels also allow the Countryman to continue at not far off race pace.
Other changes involve new decals and a lightweight aluminium roof rack.
Sadly, under the bonnet there's no more oomph, with the Mini Countryman Powered By X-Raid coming equipped with the Cooper S' 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 141kW and 281Nm.
Developed for the German market, the MINI Countryman Powered By X-Raid is unlikely to ever officially make it Down Under.
But given Australia’s appetite for hot MINI JCW models, and a constant stream of special-edition MINIs hitting the market each year, we’re not ruling it out.
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