This Mini Countryman by Romeo Ferraris is a special edition version for Italy to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the country’s unification, but also celebrates the world of rallying, too. The Countryman 150th Anniversario special edition has been designed to sit between the standard Countryman and the WRC version.

The Cooper S Countryman model was used as a basis, and the four-cylinder, 1.6-litre engine gets updated to 227 hp (up 43 hp) and 348 Nm of torque (an extra 88). Romeo Ferraris has used a new engine mapping system with larger intercooler and dedicated exhaust system with separate twin pipes done in Countryman WRC style. A special blue tint has been used to reflect Italy’s national colour, and new 19-inch wheels have been fitted.

Tyres fitted are Yokohama Advan Sport measuring 225/40 and an hydraulic suspension can lower and raise the car by 50mm. Floating 328-mm disc brakes are included with four pistons, and finally the blacked-out background of the lights give an added aggressive touch. Why the Mini Countryman when a Fiat 500 would have been more appropriate considering the occasion being celebrated? Anyone’s guess really….

Mini Countryman 150° Anniversario by Romeo Ferraris

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The Mini Countryman Dakar model by X-Raid is already up for one of the world’s most gruelling endurance races. The Countryman model was earmarked for the World Rally Championship just a couple of months after it was released, and X-Raid then decided to take it to the famous Dakar, with this livery unlikely to go unnoticed across South America next year.

Prepared in near record time, the Mini Countryman Dakar is a turbo-diesel model with the engine used from the BMW X3CC, which X-Raid has used in previous cross country world racing titles. The unit has 315 hp and about 700 Nm of torque. The Mini has been preferred over the BMW for its more compact stature, lower centre of gravity and shorter wheelbase. The car has been trusted to Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn, and we can’t wait to see how they fare in January.

Mini Countryman Dakar All4 rally

Source | X-Raid via Autoblog.com

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The Mini Countryman WRC model is live at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, not only introducing the competition version of the new Mini compact SUV but also marking Mini’s return to rally car racing. The Countryman WRC has been developed by Prodrive and is equipped with a 1.6-litre turbo engine with all-wheel-drive. The WRC model will debut in some competitions in 2011, with full participation in the championship in 2012.

The Paris show has also proved an important opportunity for Mini to announce the initial interest and future popularity of its Countryman model. Perhaps considered a risky straying from the well-developed Mini niche, the Countryman is proving to appeal to customers who have traditionally been outside that niche but are attracted by the Mini brand. Specifically, Mini has announced that all models planned for production until February 2011 have been sold and so we can wait for more news about production increases in the new year.

Continue reading: Mini Countryman WRC live at 2010 Paris Motor Show

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