MINI to defend Dakar Rally crown

You're looking at the toughest MINI ever made, the MINI ALL4 Racing car. Purpose-built to tackle the world's toughest race, the Dakar Rally, the off-road MINIs are looking for a three-peat after winning the gruelling event in 2012 and 2013.

The most hardcore MINI ever built is exotic too, its body constructed almost entirely from carbon-fibre and fitted with a heavy-duty steel rollcage to keep driver and navigator safe.

Propulsion for the jacked-up dune buggy on steroids comes from a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel that cranks out 225kW and a whopping 700Nm of torque.

Engine power and torque is apportioned to all four wheels via a Sadev sequential six-speed manual gearbox. Top speed for the rally-raider is 185km/h.

In 2014, the Dakar course is 1367km longer than previously, taking the total distance across the South American continent to a mind-numbing 9374km. That's like driving from Brisbane to Perth and back again. Through the desert.

Luckily the extreme MINI Countryman has expanded its standard fuel tank from 47 litres to a massive 375-litre diesel reservoir to cope with the long distances.

The 36th Dakar Rally takes place between January 5 and 18, 2014, and will be one of the toughest courses in event's history, says MINI's star driver and winner of the previous two races, Stephane Peterhansel.

"The route is not only longer, but also more difficult and tougher,” says the motorcycle cum car racing legend.

The Frenchman is confident that he and MINI can add a third win to the tally, but cautions: "It will not be easy."

MINI's senior vice president, Jochen Goller, said that MINI is primed for its title defence, despite the challenges the unpredictable race presents.

"The Rally Dakar is and always will be a challenge. A challenge that MINI, in keeping with its long tradition in motorsport, is only too happy to face again," says Goller.

The MINI boss is clearly keen to stamp his authority on the race, with a record-breaking 11 MINI ALL4 Racings in the field for 2014.

Peterhansel’s MINI ALL4 Racing vehicle weighs around 1900kg -- heavy by passenger car standards -- and is suspended by heavy-duty, fully adjustable shock absorbers. The car rides on Michelin All-Terrain tyres with massive side-walls (245/80 R16) and carries three spare tyres at all times.

The car's brakes are equally heavy-duty, including 320mm rotors gripped by big six-piston callipers, air-cooled at the front and air and water-cooled at the rear. The MINI also gets an adjustable roll valve to ensure the car can flow smoothly over uneven terrain at high speed.

The Dakar Rally is contested not only by cars, but bikes, quads and hulking off-road trucks. Even a pair of Ford Ranger utes are contesting the 2014 event.

The 2014 Dakar Rally will see vehicles from Toyota, Hummer, Mitsubishi, Renault, Chevrolet, BMW, Fiat, Volvo, Nissan, Volkswagen and many others competing. Several hundred entrants are expected.

The infamous rally has been running since 1979, and was won by Range Rover in its inaugural year.

Dakar Rally official website www.dakar.com

More photos of the X-Raid Team and the MINI ALL4's in the motoring.com.au gallery

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