MINI presented at the Paris Motor Show the new MINI Countryman WRC. This model will fight in the 2011 season with rivals from Ford and Citroen. The MINI Countryman is the first to be equipped with an all-wheel-drive system. MINI Countryman WRC will utilize a 1.6 liter turbocharged engine rated at 184 horsepower. The MINI Countryman states the essential virtues of the brand in terms of design, first-class quality, stress-free handling and adeptness.
“The interest in motorsport among the present generation of MINI customers is massive. The WRC provides an excellent communications platform for the MINI Countryman, upon which the MINI WRC is based.” says Dr WolfgangArmbrecht, Senior Vice President Brand Management MINI.
MINI Countryman WRC is developed by Prodrive, the well-known firm headed by David Richards. Prodrive has been involved with the Subaru WRC between 1990 and 2008. Prodrive was founded in 1984, and has established itself as one of motorsport’s leading independent teams.