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The 2011 Dakar rally is likely to have a Mini participating. The MINI All4 Racing has been developed by the X-raid Team for the Dakar rally season. The car is based on the MINI Countryman and was completed in ninety days in a partnership between the MINI Design team, Magna Steyr and with X-raid. The frame and chassis were designed by Heggemann Autosport GmbH.



The vehicle will be taking the place of the outgoing 2010 BMW X3CC. The same twin-turbo diesel engine as in the 2011-specification BMW X3 CC, will be powering the MINI Racing, which will give 315 PS (232 kW) and 710 Nm of torque.

Sources at X-Raid say that the MINI has better handling since the overall length is shorter and the vehicle is lower than the BMW X3CC.

Reports say the vehicle will debut on January 1, 2011 at the beginning of the Personal Dakar Argentina-Chile rally in Buenos Aires. Prior to this, the car will be subjected to a series of tests next week in France.

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