Just got the press release from Prodrive.
Paris. Visitors to the 2010 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris (FR) can look forward to a special treat: The new MINI WRC, which will contest the FIA World Rally Championship from 2011, will receive its world premiere at this international motor show. In addition, Kris Meeke (GB) has been confirmed as one of the drivers who will contest the championship with this brand new rally car.
The MINI WRC, powered by a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder Di turbo-charged engine, recently received a baptism of fire, acquitting itself well during initial testing at Prodrive's rally track. The company commenced development of the car in 2009, and a concept of the MINI WRC will be displayed in Paris.
"The Paris Motor Show is the perfect stage, on which to launch our MINI WRC," says Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing. "The response to our announcement that MINI will return to the world of rallying next year was very positive. The FIA World Rally Championship is the pinnacle of rallying, making it the ideal platform for demonstrating the competitive spirit of our brand. The development of the car is running on schedule, and the preparations for the world championship are in full swing. The MINI Countryman production model provided the ideal basis for our new world championship challenger."
Last edited by allmotorking; 09-30-2010 at 07:59 PM..
Hell yeah. This is gonna be sweet.
love the tailpipes and the paint!
Any one know what it wieghs and what kind of power that it makes?
Last edited by Take2; 10-02-2010 at 04:40 PM..
Cold Track Days posted up the same pics, but with a good summary of the whole gig.
This is the final design and specification that the MINI WRC Team will entrust to drivers Dani Sordo (ES) and Kris Meeke (GB) for its debut in the premier category of rallying at the Rally Italy from 5 – 8 May 2011. Further entries are planned in the WRC events in Finland, Germany, France, Spain and Great Britain.
The MINI John Cooper Works Rally Car’s 1.6-litre turbo-charged direct injection engine has been developed by BMW Motorsport. The engine is based on the standard 1.6-litre unit found in the MINI Countryman and retains the road car’s cylinder block and heads before it is then extensively re-engineered for competition.
The engine is almost identical to that used by BMW for its World Touring Car programme, except in the MINI Rally Car it is fitted transversely in the engine bay and the ECU remapped for the unique demands of the rally stage.
Under FIA regulations, the performance of the engine is limited by a 33mm air restrictor and a maximum turbo boost pressure of 2.5 bar (absolute). The engine produces over 300bhp.