MINI All4 Racing at Dakar

More detail on the MINI Countryman-based Dakar racer has come to light, including a handful pics of what we now know is called the MINI All4 Racing. The car is being prepared by the X-raid team, who have been competing in the Dakar since 2005.

They’ve just completed a couple of days testing in the Burgundy region of France with driver Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn.

Chicherit, a four-time world extreme skiing champion, finished fifth at this year’s Dakar in January and said, “The handling is excellent, the engine is very responsive and it is well balanced at jumps because of the improved centre of gravity. The view out of the car is much better than we were led to believe when the car was being built. Visibility is good and there is no disadvantage compared to the BMW X3CC.”

There’s more pics after the break. You can also download the team’s press release HERE (290kb PDF).

[Source: x-raid via MotoringFile]

Some key stats of the MINI All4 Racing are:

• Maximum Output 315 hp
• Torque approx.700 Nm
• Displacement 3.000 cc
• length/width/height in mm 4.377 / 1994 / 1966
• Fuel capacity Approx. 420 l