By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(December 12, 2016) One of the problems with the vehicles that run in the Dakar Rally is that they resemble their production counterparts, but have little in common with them. Which shouldn’t be a total surprise for a rally that retains the Dakar name, but is now run through Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina instead of on the African continent.

The 2017 Mini John Cooper Works Rally is based on the new Mini Countryman, and is being developed with the help of motorsport partner X-raid. It will make its competition debut at the 2017 Dakar Rally. That promises to be a tough launch.



Compared to the Mini All4 Racing that preceded it, the Mini John Cooper Works Rally (or MJCWR) has been improved in a number of areas, including aerodynamics, thermal management, weight distribution, center of gravity, engine mapping and chassis design. Each area was subject to rigorous design and simulation tests to improve drivability by optimizing traction, agility and vehicle stability, as well as improve aerodynamic and powertrain performance for greater acceleration and top speed with better fuel economy.

Carbon fiber and Kevlar is used in both the outer panels and underbody shielding, and the underbody carries all three of the allotted spare tires and wheels, as well as two hydraulic jacks that are deployed from the cabin. This lowers the center of gravity and changes the weight distribution compared to the Mini All4 Racing. It carried only two spares underneath, with the third bolted in place in the cargo area.

The hood was lowered for better forward visibility, and the visibly wider front fenders carry an integrated air outlet in front of the front doors. An air inlet nestles between the roof rails, and leads to a composite intakes that feeds a pair of fan-cooled heat exchangers in the cargo area. X-raid claims the relocation of the third wheel/tire unit and the heat exchangers helped move about 110 lb. lower in the chassis, and brought this weight nearly 20 in. closer to the center of the car.

CP Autosport created the aerospace-spec. tubular spaceframe, but X-raid was responsible for the design of the removable front subframe. This allows the engine to be removed in about an hour, and facilitates quickly fitting a new unit.

Reiger Racing Suspension developed the front and rear suspension design, which features two fully adjustable coil over dampers at each corner, and 9.8-in. of wheel travel. There are 12.6-in. x 1.26-in.vented discs at each wheel clamped by six-piston calipers. In the rear, the calipers are both air- and water-cooled. The tires are BF Goodrich 245/80R-16s

Under the composite front panel sits an engine you will never find in a Mini: a BMW TwinPower six-cylinder turbo diesel engine.

This 3.0-liter inline six produces 340 hp at 3,250 rpm and 590 lb.-ft. at 1,850 rpm with the required 1.5-in. air restrictor in place. New engine mapping  improves high-altitude performance and fuel economy, while the Akrapovič lightweight exhaust system cuts weight and gives the MJCWR a distinct sound.

The Virtual Driver