Yeah, a heady claim. But we aim to back it up with over 400 photos of the new MINI Crossover. For full details on the R60 and our review, click over to the MotoringFile R60 section. And don’t be afraid to dig into a few pages, there are lots of details on the car that stretch back since the launch six months ago including some behind the scenes shot at the recent photo shoot and a look at the earliest design sketches.
The full gallery is above. The new photos are after the break. And be sure to check out the behind the scenes photos on pages 5 and 6 of the gallery below.
(Updated) It’s official, MINI is making a comeback on the international rally circuit. Starting in 2011, MINI will compete in selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and will go on to contest the entire season from 2012 onwards. Sources are telling us that MINI has made a 3-4 year commitment (to start) with the program. This are the first official steps back into the highest levels of rally racing since MINI won the Monte Carlo 1,000 Lakes Rally and Acropolis Rally in 1967.
But what about the established players in the WRC? Does MINI even have a chance? The short answer is more of a chance than you’d think. There are two big things in MINI’s favor. First are the WRC regulations that will effectively level the playing field and introduce a new engine configuration (more on that in a minute). The second is the fact that the Countryman WRC is being built by Prodrive, the most successful rally outfit of the past 20 years. You can read more about Prodrive here in our recent feature on the company: “Why the Prodrive WRC MINI Countryman is Important“
As expected the car that will be competing is the MINI Countryman WRC and as we’ve reported it is being developed by Prodrive. The race car (design in close cooperation with MINI) will be heavily based on the production Countryman. But here’s where it gets even more interesting. At the heart of the racing car is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport. The car complies with the new Super2000 regulations put in place by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which stipulate the use of turbo engines with 1,600 cc displacement and four-wheel drive combined with an increased emphasis on road relevant technologies over previous WRC regulations. The result is a significant 25 per cent reduction in overall costs. The first test drive for the MINI Countryman WRC, which will also be available to customer teams, is planned for autumn 2010.
That last bit shouldn’t go unnoticed. We expect several privateer teams to invest into the MINI Countryman WRC and run the cars alongside MINI.
Drivers linked to the car are rumored to be Norwegian rally protege Mads Ostberg and rally legend Marcus Gronholm.
One final thing. If you like the look of this car stay tuned. Rumors persist that MINI will build a special edition JCW Countryman WRC with similar looks and surprising performance.
Official Press Release: This decision sees MINI continue its success story in the world of rallying. In the 1960s, the MINI Cooper S caused a sensation with victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. The company also tasted success on many occasions in the European Rally Championship. Having already demonstrated the sporty character of its models in many countries in the MINI CHALLENGE, the brand is now taking its presence in motorsport to a new level with the commitment to the WRC.
Here’s a great video recap of the recent London launch party of the MINI Countryman. We get to hear from Gert Hildebrand, designers, artists and see beautiful people. (video after the break) continued →
The longlong rumored Prodrive WRC rally entry looks to finally come to fruition this week. AutosportMini’s first-ever World Rally Car, which will be based on the Countryman road car, has been in preparation for months at Prodrive’s Banbury base and the BMW 1.6-litre turbocharged engine recently arrived to turn a rolling shell into a full World Rally Car. Testing of the new machine is expected to begin soon and, as technical director David Lapworth said, once it starts testing it will not stop.
“When we start testing on our rally car development programme, it will be intensive,” said Lapworth. “We still have a good timescale to work towards for testing and we’re happy with where we’re at.”
With less than a month to go, our friend Gina Koutros from MINIUSA took some time from her hectic schedule to give us some updates about MINI Takes the States, which is shaping up to be the largest MTTS to date!
If you haven’t decided if you are going yet, don’t forget there will be a Countryman (R60) at each of the kick-off cities driving to Denver. If you wanted to see this MINI in person, now is the time to do it!
Once in Denver, besides all of the regular festival fun and games, there will be the MTTS Music Stage featuring local talent during the day, headlined by Blues Traveller! For those of you that caught them in ‘08 during the Chicago leg of MTTS you remember what a great show they put on.
MTTS Update:
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Want to build your own Countryman online? Head over to MINI of Germany’s site where the configurator has officially launched. Look for the highly anticipated MINI USA version to launch early this fall (with the other 2011 models coming online earlier in August).
This week MINI is officially introducing the Countryman to the world’s press. Since we were one of the lucky few news outlets that got a chance to pre-drive the R60, it’s likely old news to MF readers. However it does give MINI a chance to roll-out even more final details about MINI’s first crossover.
But before we give you all 30+ pages of the official release, don’t forget to check-out our review of the Cooper S ALL4 Countryman from last May and/or the R60 section with loads more information.
The concept of the MINI Countryman puts clear water between the new model and the brand’s existing line-up. This new direction is expressed in its confident body design. Measuring 4,097 millimetres (161.3″) in length (MINI Cooper S Countryman: 4,110 mm/161.8″), 1,789 (70.4″) in width and 1,561 millimetres (61.5″) in height, the four-door body combines the customary brand proportions with increased ground clearance and a raised seating position. The MINI Countryman therefore bridges the gap between the classic MINI concept and a state-of-the-art Sports Activity Vehicle.
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1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Coupe R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Coupe 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: One/MC/MCS Coupe R57: One/MC/MCS Convt. R60: MINI SUV
Sections: R60 (Countryman) Jul 29th, 2010 8 Comments 
