Press release
16 November 2016
MINI reveals new MINI John Cooper Works Rally – the latest
MINI Motorsport giant in the world of cross-country rally.
MINI premieres the next big thing in MINI Motorsport’s distinguished
history, the all new MINI John Cooper Works Rally. First competitive
foray for the new star is the 2017 Dakar Rally.
Munich. Today MINI is pleased to announce the start
of a new chapter in its long, illustrious motorsport history with the
introduction of its latest in a long line of cross-country rally car
greats: the MINI John Cooper Works Rally. Now there is a new MINI
champion in the making…
MINI John Cooper Works Rally: racing ahead into the future
The introduction of the all-new MINI John Cooper Works Rally
underlines MINI Motorsport’s long-term commitment to its involvement
in motorsport especially in the arena of rally-raid and the FIA World
Cup, the legendary Dakar Rally and the latest long-distance endurance
challenge of the Silk Way Rally.
The 2017 MINI John Cooper Works Rally is an exciting new development
from MINI and X-raid and destined to repeat race success achieved so
far. Based on the all-new MINI Countryman, its sporting dynamics
readily provided a platform for the new MINI John Cooper Works Rally
and its role as a specialist cross-country rally car.
To produce a car able to successfully tackle and survive the rigours
of cross-country rally is a challenge in itself. However, the MINI
John Cooper Works Rally has been designed and constructed to achieve
and exceed the same level of success as the previous car thanks to an
exacting development programme.
The MINI John Cooper Works Rally will also be subject to constant
development via motorsport partner X-raid in order for the new MINI
John Cooper Works Rally to become as victorious and iconic in the
cross-country rally world as its predecessor. At the same time,
technical feedback gained from its racing development programme can,
of course, be used to further aid reliability and performance
programmes in all aspects of MINI production cars.
MINI John Cooper Works Rally: more is better
MINI John Cooper Works Rally is a new racing car and the result of an
extensive development through racing experience of the existing MINI
ALL4 Racing. Based on the new MINI Countryman; the car has been
adapted to suit the necessary safety requirements and the current race
regulations as laid out by motorsport’s governing body Fédération
Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
During the MINI John Cooper Works Rally design, development and build
processes, many key areas came under scrutiny and have been
extensively reworked when compared to the former cross-country rally
car. The following key areas have been priority subjects to deliver a
totally new formidable racing package.
- Aerodynamics
- Thermal management
- Weight distribution
- Lower center of gravity
- Modified chassis frame design
- New engine mapping
The above areas were subject to many hours of design and simulation
tests to ensure the MINI John Cooper Works Rally delivers improved
performance with lower fuel consumption. The changes also delivered a
very positive outcome on the drivability of the car from gains made in
stability, traction and agility. When faced with all manner of terrain
and driving conditions – from rain to snow to arid dry conditions,
from soft sand to deep wet mud, from 3,000 metre above sea level
mountain tracks to valley river beds –improvement in chassis and
engine detail is hugely beneficial.
Exterior:
The exterior of the MINI John Cooper Works Rally replicates MINI
Countryman and, therefore, MINI typical handling agility for racing
use. It is also one of the areas of the car that has received special
attention from X-raid technicians. Many hours spent in the BMW Group
Wind Tunnel with in house motor sports specialists have resulted in
aerodynamic detailing to considerably reduce drag.
Because the overall dimensions of the MINI John Cooper Works Rally
are the same (1:1) to the former rally car, and that engine
performance and overall car weight is, as in previous years,
determined by FIA regulations, the improved aerodynamics of MINI John
Cooper Works Rally are important for improved top speed on flat, open
trail sections and the required stability at speed. Reduced fuel
consumption and better subsystem cooling is also experienced with the
improved aerodynamics.
Composite bodywork e.g. carbon fibre and Kevlar is used for the MINI
John Cooper Works Rally outer shell, while a honeycomb mix of the same
materials is used for an underside tier. The use of such materials is
threefold: 1) strength and durability – ideal for additional safety
protection of the two-man crew 2) reduced weight with greater
strength, and 3) panels are easily removed or replaced during
servicing periods or if damaged.
The underside tier now houses all three of the allotted three spare
tyre // wheel combinations and two hydraulic jacks operated from
within the cabin. Previously only two spare wheels were carried in the
underside. By moving the third from the boot space to underneath, a
lower CG was obtained along with a change in weight distribution to
improve stability and associated driving dynamics.
With the advent of the new MINI John Cooper Works Rally, new
colourways and styling cues are being introduced in keeping with the
sporting stance of the John Cooper Works road car range. It will
feature the exclusive MINI John Cooper Works body colour Rebel Green
with the exclusive MINI John Cooper Works contrast roof colour Chili
Red as well as new designed Sport stripes. Further MINI body colours
for the X-raid competitor cars are Chili Red, White Silver and Light
White. The exterior design has been developed in close collaboration
with the MINI Design team. Thus, the original rugged and vertical
exterior design of the new MINI Countryman was transferred to the
competition cars, such as bumpers, grille, bonnet, side and tail
geometries, lights, roof rails and side scuttles. A new style of
racing alloy wheel is also to feature at key times during events and
is derived from the John Cooper Works accessory wheel collection.
The original design of the all-new MINI Countryman was transferred
into MINI John Cooper Works Rally by emphasizing the main features.
The design team were designing to ‘form follows function’, by
purposeful changing the original. The expressive fender flares are
stressing the crease-lines which are very characteristic on the new
MINI Countryman. The body itself is a lot wider on the fenders, which
is helping to integrate an air-outlet in front of the doors.
The expressive hood was lowered for a better visibility for the
drivers, by enhancing the landscaping of fenders and power dome, and
the rugged looking John Cooper Works ALL4 Exterior Optic Pack
was adapted to fit the car. The side covers for the
underside tier housing the spare wheels are new “Rocker panels” and
form a new design icon of the MINI John Cooper Works Rally.
An expressive air inlet is integrated in the roof geometry, framed by
the original roof racks. The rear is showing the MINI typically
cascading, a self-confident stance and an interpretation of the All4 Pack.
Chassis and chassis components:
To ensure the safety of the crew and in accordance with regulations,
the chassis frame of the MINI John Cooper Works Rally is replaced with
a specialist frame constructed from tubular steel to aerospace
standards. Designed specifically for the demands of cross-country
racing, the frame is constructed to exacting standards by CP Autosport.
While the main chassis carries the covering bodywork and provide the
skeleton for driveline components it is the job of a front subframe to
support the engine. MINI Motorsport partner X-raid devised this
subframe to be removable. Such is the design of the chassis and the
new subframe; complete engine removal, if required, can be completed
in just over one hour.
Suspension is provided by specialists Reiger Racing Suspension. Each
axle rides on four fully adjustable suspension units (two per wheel)
providing the permissible 250mm wheel travel. Six-piston calipers
all-round act on 320mm vented steel discs. To ensure consistent
braking performance while under the stress of racing conditions for
hours on end in high ambient temperatures, the rear brake calipers are
air and water-cooled.
Engine and gearbox:
Exemplary engine performance in terms of response, power // torque
delivery and ultimate reliability is provided by a BMW Group TwinPower
Turbo Six-Cylinder Diesel engine. Designed with endurance competition
in mind, the 2993 cc dry sump engine produces 340hp @ 3250 rpm, and
torque of approx. 800 Nm @ 1850 rpm with the regulatory 38mm air
restrictor in place.
The use of the BMW Group Twin Power Turbo Technology is an obvious
choice for the MINI John Cooper Works Rally within the BMW Group
engines’ family. The powerful and torque-laden engine is race proven
unit that has captured MINI many major victories. Delivering peak
performance at low rpm contributes to its renown reliability and is
ideal for all terrain conditions from uphill, rocky trails to wide
open WRC-like stone covered tracks. Its tractability is also an
advantage on desert sands. Low fuel consumption of a race-tuned diesel
engine is also an important consideration.
Improved fuel consumption also comes with the use of new engine
management mapping. Many hours of testing has realised even greater
potential in racing conditions especially at altitude.
The 2017 Dakar Rally will take in Bolivian mountain sections approx.
3,000 metres above sea level. Reduced oxygen content at such heights
not only dramatically affects the way a body and mind works, but also
the way an engine breathes and can severely hamper engine performance.
To fully realise engine performance at all times, the new engine
mapping ensures the retention of the MINI John Cooper Works Rally’s
drivability and performance.
The MINI John Cooper Works Rally retains the highly regarded ALL4
racing driveline to place it within the 4×4 racing category that has
seen MINI Motorsport dominate cross-country rally competition in
recent years.
The driveline features an AP Racing clutch combined with a six-speed
SADEV sequential gearbox. Lockable, oil-cooled Xtrac front and rear
diffs with a central SADEV unit to deliver maximum engine performance
at all times regardless of the terrain and racing conditions.
Also helping to stir the blood of MINI Motorsport and MINI John
Cooper Works fans will be the exhaust tone of the MINI John Cooper
Works Rally. The Akrapovič exhaust is a new design with rear outlet.
Interior
The cabin interior has been renewed. A carbon fibre dashboard area
consists of three sections: driver, central and co-driver info units
displaying essential info. The driver has selected gear display and
LED readout for RPM and gear ratio shift alert. Speed, oil pressure,
fluid temperatures and electronic functions are displayed on the
central dashboard to enable both crew members to view. All
navigational systems are located on the co-driver’s dashboard.
MINI John Cooper Works Rally: the race continues
Ongoing test and development work is paramount to racing success. The
new MINI John Cooper Works Rally is presently undergoing final testing
ahead of the 2017 Dakar Rally – the ultimate in long distance
cross-country endurance rallies – and will be the focus of X-raid
staff and MINI engineers throughout its lifetime.
Talking about the new MINI John Cooper Works Rally, Sebastian
Mackensen, Senior Vice President MINI, said:
“MINI and X-raid is a legendary partnership. Together we have shaped
today’s rich sporting heritage of this famous British brand with the
four victories in a row at the Dakar and of the FIA Cross Country
World Cup from 2012 to 2015 and we wish to continue in the same
direction and prove the authentic racing competence of John Cooper
Works. With the realisation of the new MINI John Cooper Works Rally,
MINI is perfectly placed to extend its sporting achievements.”
“Introducing the famed MINI John Cooper Works sub-brand within the
exciting arenas of rally raid, cross-county rally and the endurance
challenges of the Dakar Rally and Silk Way Rally seals MINI’s
commitment to this spectacular and compelling motorsport. This racing
spirit will always be a part of MINI’s genes and products.
“The competitive debut of the MINI John Cooper Works Rally at the
2017 Dakar Rally is a tough debut indeed. The Dakar Rally is the
epitome of long-distance rally, where the competitive stress placed on
man and machine is like no other but perfectly represents the sporting
spirit of MINI Motorsport and the John Cooper Works sub-brand.”
X-raid is motorsport partner to MINI and pivotal to its modern day
racing success by providing the necessary race support. Sven Quandt,
CEO, X-raid said at the reveal of the new MINI John Cooper Works Rally:
“The all-new MINI John Cooper Works Rally is obviously great; is
completely different to the predecessor model we built upon and
developed; it’s a car based on thorough development as well in the
wind tunnel. We have achieved better aerodynamics from this and, along
with other new features; we have improved performance from this car.
“One of the advantages of wind tunnel development is a higher top
speed and better acceleration from 140 km/h upwards – these were
crucial areas for improvement. The centre of gravity has gone down
substantially – we placed about 50 kilos downwards by some 50
centimetres in the centre of the car, which helps the handling and
makes the car much more comfortable over all types of terrain, and
aids the handling on a rally track with lots of corners. In all: a
comprehensive new and exciting package.”
MINI John Cooper Works Rally: technical specifications
- Engine: BMW Group TwinPower Turbo Six-Cylinder Diesel
- Output: 340 bhp / 3250 rpm
- Torque (approx.): 800 Nm / 1850 rpm
- Capacity: 2993 cc
- Air restrictor: 38 mm diameter
- Top speed (approx.): 184 km/h
- Transmission: six-speed sequential gearbox
- Braking: 4 x six-piston calipers – air-cooled front, air /
water-cooled rear. Discs: 320 x 32 mm - Length / width / height: 4350 / 1999 / 2000 mm
- Wheel base: 2900 mm
- Track width: 1736 mm
- Weight: 1952,5 kg
- Fuel tank capacity (approx): 385 litres
- Chassis: tubular steel with composite bodywork
- Tyres: BF Goodrich 245/80R 16
MINI, heritage in Motorsport
In the 1960s, tuner and race car producer John Cooper became a
household name with his powerful, sporting Mini Cooper S. In short,
John Cooper transformed the great British small-car into a sporting
legend with success in many international and national rally series.
The brand Mini subsequently became synonymous with rally-sport.
The rich heritage of race-proven MINI performance lives on with
today’s MINI John Cooper Works range of MINI cars. When the first new
genre of British-manufactured MINI Cooper cars appeared in 2001, it
was obvious the relaunched brand had inherited motorsport traits from
its famous namesake. Together with engine tuning, component upgrades
and exquisite styling cues available with the MINI John Cooper Works
range, MINI and motorsport are a polished combination that will
continue to shine as MINI Motorsport
Despite very short development time, MINI Motorsport with the MINI
ALL4 Racing – derived from the 2012 John Cooper Works Countryman –
achieved incredible racing success in the world of cross-country
rally. The toughest challenge of this motorsport discipline is,
without doubt, the race-of-all-races – the annual, long-distance
rally-raid that is known as the Dakar Rally.
Such was the brilliance and ultimately the superiority of this racing
car, in the experienced hands of rally specialists X-raid and driven
by passionate racing crews of the MINI ALL4 Racing family, these cars
went on to win “The Dakar” over four consecutive years: 2012, 2013,
2014 and 2015. In 2016, MINI repeated the status of winner of the
four-wheel drive ranking.
Competing within the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup, MINI again
demonstrated how success breeds success. Following the first World Cup
win in 2012, this success was repeated over the next three years
(2013-2015) much to the dismay of the competition.
Find reports, photos and videos in high resolution of MINI motorsport
activity on the BMW Group Media Website by clicking here.