What started as an April Fool’s joke has developed into one of the most exciting off-road concepts that Mini has ever unveiled. The Mini Countryman X-Rac was developed in cooperation between Rallye Legends X-Rac and the Bavarian off-road experts from Delta4x4 and is more than just a design exercise. It is a fully constructed, street legal machine inspired by the strenuous Dakar rally. And although it is currently only a concept, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is ready for adventure today.
The project combines decades of experience in real off-road experience. X-Rac, led by Rallye veteran Sven Quandt, has long been a synonym for Dakar success, mini and BMW-in BMW-based vehicles that have conquered the hardest environments in the earth. Delta4x4 has been making tailor-made off-road solutions for more than 40 years. Your joint vision for the new mini-country man is simple: build a road traffic SUV that not only looks robust, but also how an off-roader with rally bred off-roader works.
Made a chassis for rally
At the center of this transformation is a specially built rally chassis that increases the driving height by 50 millimeters and drastically improves ground clearance. The body itself is 10 millimeters wider on each side, so that the oversized 255/55 R18-all-Terrain tires are wrapped in an exclusive Delta4x4 Hanma 18 × 9-inch wheels. This expanded attitude not only improves the ability, but also gives the car a much more muscular and more commanding appearance from the clean urban appearance of the standard country man.
Breathtaking design improvements
Visually, the transformation is impossible to miss. The matt black color is compensated for by orange accents and large X-raid graphics on the sides. But the robust styling is not just for show. On the front, a heavy 76-millimeter bull bar protects against obstacles such as brushes and rocks, while the Piaa racing lights on the bumper and roof shed light on the way in poor light conditions and extreme environments. A massive roof platform adds even more usefulness to be able to wear important essential essentials such as sand plates, a spare wheel, shovel, Jerry sockets and robust transport boxes – annoying for anyone who is planning a serious expedition into the wilderness.
Despite all its upgrades, the Countryman X-Rac remains completely street legal in Germany. This is an important detail, as this means that this car could enter into limited production with the right support. According to Delta4x4, if there is enough demand, you are willing to build a small number of these vehicles inspired by Rally for customers who can still drive something really unique wool ows, the mountain path, desert dunes and then still home.
The Mini-Landsmann X-Raid is proof that courageous ideas can be triggered by a joke or a dream-to an exceptional results. With a foundation rooted in motorsport and a spirit of the pure adventure, it emphasizes the idea of what a mini can be. If Mini and his partners decide to produce Greenlight, this could become one of the most sought-after off-road vehicles that the brand has ever created.
Until then, it is up to the fans to hear their voices. Because with sufficient interest, what started as a concept could soon incorporate its own way beyond the leaked route. We recently spoke to the new mini design about a future robust product, and the door seems to be not close to such an exciting project as this. [Photos: delta4x4]
