Mini’s Most Hardcore Countryman Won’t Be What You Think

Mini may break into some uncharted territory, according to Michael Peyton, Vice President of Mini of the Americas. What territory, you might ask? How about a new off-road-focused model? CarBuzz had a chance to speak with Peyton at Mini Takes the States, an owner-focused road rally that crosses multiple states on a scenic road trip.

This event draws a wide spectrum of Mini owners, ranging from owners who tune their GP models for track use to adventure seekers who lift the Mini Countryman for off-road use. When asked why the brand has never catered to the latter by offering a more rugged vehicle from the factory, Peyton responded by hinting, “You might see an off-road Countryman soon.” It’s unclear if Peyton was referring to a fully-fledged production model or a concept, but this is exciting news regardless. At present, Mini offers several body styles but none with a truly rugged outlook.

An Off-Road Countryman Makes Sense

The production Countryman has never been heavily touted as an off-roader, but it does have some pedigree in this arena. The Mini John Cooper Works WRC is a Countryman-based rally car that has raced since 2011, winning the 2013 Spanish Rally Championship, Czech Rally Championship, and more.

And though it didn’t come directly from the factory, the Mini Countryman Powered by X-raid debuted in 2020 as a Dakar-inspired aftermarket upgrade with a 1.6-inch lift, beefed up suspension, and upgraded wheels and tires. The X-raid was never sold in the US, but something like it could play well in this market.

How To Build And Name It

If Ford can turn the Mustang Mach-E into a rally car, Mini can do the same with the Countryman. If Mini were to build an off-road Countryman, here is exactly what we would want to see from it. This will be a specialty model, so it should use the JCW model as a base, powered by Mini’s most powered turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 312 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. It will need a one- to two-inch lift, softer suspension with more travel, and preferably the same Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires used on the Mach-E Rally.

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Visually, we’d love to see some additional lights mounted on the front or on the roof, making it look like a proper rally car. Mini knows how to make interesting decals, so that area should be covered. All that’s left is to give it a name. We highly suggest something provocative and animal-based, learning from the success of products like the Raptor, Bronco, TRX, and Bison. Name it after the brand’s mascot, Spike, a bulldog. Countryman Bulldog has a nice ring to it, evoking a sense of toughness and cuteness in one vehicle. Bulldog Racing is also the name of a private Mini race team in Germany, but the brand has only borrowed the name for a special edition JCW Cooper.