Dakar-Spec MINI All4 Racing First Photos

Last week, we were reporting the wonderful piece of news according to which the X-Raid BMW Dakar team was to field a newly-developed Countryman-based MINI All4 Racing for the 2011 Dakar Rally. At the time, alongside the information related to the new MINI project developed by MINI Design and automotive engineering and manufacturing company Magna Steyr, we got a rendering of the aforementioned car.

Now we finally have the first pics of the MINI Dakar challenger and we have to admit the racer is simply stunning. We're not sure if French rally crew of Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Perin will drive the MINI All4 Racing to victory in the 33rd edition of the Dakar Rally, but we can positively assume the car will steal all the show between January 1st and 16th, on the South American continent.

The pics you see below were made public by the X-Raid website following the first official test of the car, held in France. Now, bear in mind that the car was in fact a mere project no less than 2 months ago, when Magna and MINI finally decided to kick off the development process for the All4 Racing.

Over the last couple of months, the mechanics, designers and technicians have done a superb job putting the MINI All4 Racing to its peace last weekend, and we can never be too grateful for that. For the record, the Dakar-spec MINI car features the same variable twin-turbo diesel engine that is fitted to the 2011-specification BMW X3 CC (official X-Raid Dakar Rally car for 2011), delivering 315 HP and 710 Nm of torque. Additionally, the MINI racer benefits from larger air intakes, a one-piece bonnet and a revised and improved ventilation system using a front air intake and a roof intake.

Additionally, the Monster-backed MINI All4 Racing car is “10 cm shorter than the BMW X3 CC, about 3 cm lower than its predecessor and has a 10 cm reduced rear overhang when compared to the BMW.”

Following the test in France, the car will be shipped to Argentine's capital Buenos Aires for the scrutineering process.