The Rebelle Rally will run for the 11th time from October 7 through 17. The annual event in the United States is an off-road navigation rally raid specifically for women, and several automakers sponsor teams as a way to highlight their vehicles to off-road enthusiasts.
This year, Mini is competing for the first time and is using the 1,500-mile challenge as an opportunity to show what a new, more off-road-capable version of the Countryman can do. It’s still in prototype form, but it’s hard to imagine a better testing ground than a 1,500-mile off-road rally.
Mini’s Meaner Countryman
Mini Countryman New Variant Rebelle Rally TestingMini
Mini isn’t yet revealing the name of this version of the Countryman, and the body still wears camouflage. However, the company can’t hide everything about this more rugged version of its compact SUV.
Mini’s photos of the model’s development provide evidence of what to expect. Most notably, there’s a large accessory on the roof that appears to be a pop-up tent. A skid plate protects the vital mechanical components from rocks or debris damaging them. The vehicle rides on Toyo Open Country AT tires for better grip on tough terrain. There also seems to be suspension modifications for a taller ride height.
Mini’s partners on the Rebelle Rally project might also give us clues about what’s coming to the production version. Morimoto Lighting is supplying roof- and grille-mounted auxiliary lamps, but they’re not visible on the test vehicle. Pelican Cases is providing the team with weatherproof storage boxes, and there’s a GoPro action camera for recording the adventure.
“For every bracket, every mount, every panel, we gave thought to what happens when it’s in such rigorous conditions forty miles from pavement, and that’s only something you can solve by testing, adjusting, and testing again.”
– James Wallace, BMW Group engineer
So far, there are no signs of any powertrain changes for the Countryman off-roader. The SUV currently offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 241 horsepower, and the JCW version has a turbocharged 2.0-liter turbo producing 312 hp. Both of them use a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and come with Mini’s All4 all-wheel-drive system.
The team of Felicia Killman and Erika Ferrer will take the modified Countryman to the Rebelle Rally. The pair already completed an off-road training trip in the vehicle to get used to driving the more capable Mini.
Is Off-Road The New Direction For Mini?
Mini Countryman New Variant Rebelle Rally TestingMini
While vehicles like the Countryman might have use for more ground clearance and off-pavement capability, road-going fun is still at the core of Mini’s lineup. To maintain excitement in its products, the brand has announced plans to bring eight limited-edition models to the US.
The offerings include the Mini 1998 GT Edition that loads the entry-level Mini Cooper C 2-Door with John Cooper Works performance components for the suspension and brakes. The styling tweaks include a Midnight Black Metallic body with orange stripes along the lower sides and sporty JCW body parts. Inside, there are extra badges identifying the special edition.
The company also announced a Paul Smith edition with subtle styling tweaks. It’s available in the low-key colors Statement Grey, Inspired White, and Midnight Black Metallic, with Nottingham Green accents on the mirrors, grille, and roof.
In addition, the Oxford Edition offers customers the exclusive colors Sunny Side Yellow, Blazing Blue Metallic, and Nanuq White Metallic. There are contrasting black parts for the roof and mirror caps. The cabin gets sport seats in a mix of Gray/Blue Vescin and cloth.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Compared to the special color and trim packages from some of the other new Mini special editions, this upgraded Countryman at least appears to be getting more significant upgrades. However, it’s hard to imagine anyone who is serious about off-roading choosing a Countryman as their adventure rig. It’s a perfectly adequate daily driver, but a body-on-frame vehicle like a Jeep Wrangler or Toyota Land Cruiser is going to be more capable of conquering rugged terrain.
Mini isn’t saying specifically when this special Countryman debuts, but the unveiling is “days before” the Rebelle Rally starts on October 7. With September nearly over, we only need to wait a couple of weeks, at most, to see how Mini is making its SUV more capable off-road.
