VIDEO: MINI MEETS RALLY VEHICLES, READY FOR DAKAR 2018

MINI and X-Raid enter the final preparation phase for the Dakar rally 2018 with the presentation of their racing cars. In addition to the further advanced version of the all-wheeled drive MINI John Cooper Works Buggy – which, at its debut appearance, came sixth overall at the 2017 Dakar Rally – will head into the opening stage of the rally event's 40th edition.

The Mini John Cooper Works Buggy features a specially designed tubular steel frame that provides maximum protection for driver and passenger in extreme situations. A specially designed body made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and Kevlar is stretched over the frame. With the original buggy-look exterior has been designed in collaboration with MINI design and aerodynamically optimized. The "buggy" is powered by a 340 horsepower 3.0-litre diesel engine, with a maximum torque of 800 Nm. The transmission and drivetrain as well as the engine's turbocharging technology have been completely built from scratch for the rally.

The new buggy has already undergone an intensive test programme which took it over different types of rally terrain in Hungary and Morocco.
"During this time the buggy never had to stop once due to a technical problem, which is really quite remarkable," reports team manager Sven Quandt. He continues, "despite all the euphoria, we must definitely not forget the Mini John Cooper Works Rally. There are tracks and types of terrain where an all-wheel drive has advantages. What is more, our car is extremely reliable."

You can see the MINI in action in the video below: