Some photos from the press launch event yesterday

 

 

Too cool! Can't wait to see how they do.

 

Kris Meeke driving the new MINI WRC rally car at the launch at Plant Oxford

 

WOW I would of loved to have been there!!!
One question though, Can he spin some doughnuts around a guy on a Segway?

 

 

Nice pictures!

 

That's so awesome. I keep seeing the WRC MINI launch info on Facebook as well.

 

Did MINI ever release the specs on the WRC car? HP, TQ, etc...

I thought the Countrymans were the ugliest cars ever until I saw this thing!

 

Check out this WRC MINI tearing it up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhSzU7mE5cU

 

Dimensions:
Length: 4,110 mm Width: 1,820 mm
Height: adjustable Weight: 1,200 kg (FIA regulations)

Chassis:
MINI Countryman bodyshell with Prodrive roll cage exceeding FIA regulations

Aerodynamics:
WRC rear wing, WRC front bumper

Transmission:
Permanent four wheel drive Front axle: Plated limited slip Rear axle: Plated limited slip Gearbox: Xtrac 6-speed sequential

Suspension:
Öhlins Prodrive Macpherson strut, 3 way adjustable

Front brakes system:
Tarmac: AP Racing four-piston brake with 355mm in diameter Gravel: AP Racing four-piston brake with 300mm in diameter

Rear brake system:
Tarmac: AP Racing four-piston brake with 355mm in diameter Gravel: AP Racing four-piston brake with 300mm in diameter

Steering:
Hydraulic power assisted

Wheels:
ATS wheels Tarmac: 18” diameter Gravel: 15” diameter

Tyres:
Michelin (FIA regulations)

Engine:
Type: Four-cylinder inline turbo engine with direct fuel injection and air restrictor
Capacity: 1,599cc
Bore x stroke: 77 x 85.8mm
Compression: max. 12.5:1 (FIA regulations)
Max. output: approx. 310bhp
Max. torque: approx. 420Nm
Max. engine speed: 8,500 rpm (FIA regulations)

Cylinder block: Aluminium cylinder block construction with bed plate lower section

Crankshaft:
Steel crankshaft with reduced bearing diameters

Pistons:
Forged skirt pistons

Conrods:
High-performance steel

Cylinder head:
Aluminium DOHC (Double Over Head Camshaft) construction; four valves per cylinder

Valvetrain:
Two overhead chain-driven camshafts

Exhaust system:
Garret turbo charger, silencer, catalytic converter

Fuel system:
Single cylinder direct injection with 200 bar

Lubrication:
Dry sump lubrication with oil suction

Cooling:
Water/air cooler and oil/water heat exchanger

Flywheel:
Optimised motorsport flywheel

 

Krikey - 12.5:1 with a blower?

Madre de Dios!

 

This seemed like a good thread to add these pics to.

Just saw some photos from Top Gear of the Countryman in the Sardinia stage of the WRC.


That is going to be an uncomfortable landing









Apparently there is more than just the Prodrive team using MINIs. See the next few photos.


A Brazillian team


An Italian team



And then there is this Countryman


All pics courtesy of the Beeb.

 

So, what website do I need to visit in order to order an exact set of the wheels that this countryman uses? Does anyone know pricing and if they will work for an 02' MINI

 

Love the stance...that thing really looks like a 4 door hatchback to me

 

Love to see Ken Block take it our for a spin ... "literary a SPIN."

 

Anyone else here been watching WRC on HD Theatre? They just showed Rally Germany where Team MINI's Daniel Sordo place third overall. HDT shows WRC with a several week "tape delay", but it's better than not seeing it.

Team MINI is also #10 in team points, which is pretty good given they've competed in only 3 out of 9 rallies.

I hope Kris Meek gets some better luck with his car, tho. He had to retire with electrical problems.

RESCUEME: I'm pretty sure the wheels used by WRC are specialty items and can't be used on production cars. I'm checking into that, however, since it's been a long time since I last looked into this.

 

You could start by looking here: http://www.ats-wheels.com/ats_wheels/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&It emid=58⟨=en

 

I love how that WRC mini sounds!

 

Yes, it has a distinct growl to it, just like a rally car should sound. Makes the Countryman a lot cooler, too. It probably will never make the TOP GEAR Cool Wall, but powersliding around a country lane at 60 mph doesn't hurt it's image.