Countryman WRC tests continue apace
The new Mini Countryman World Rally Car has successfully completed its shakedown phase at Prodrive's private proving ground in Warwickshire, we've been told today.
This initial part of the car's test and development programme took place with the engineering team driving the car over four days, primarily on tarmac, but also including several kilometres on loose surfaces and Prodrive's low grip facility. The car will now travel to Portugal for a week of testing on gravel.
"As with any totally new car, it is vital to take time to ensure all the systems are working as intended before embarking on a week long gravel test," says David Lapworth, Prodrive technical director.
Riggers (right): Marcus who?
Oddly, David appears totally unaware that PHer Riggers has already done much of the preparatory legwork (
having 'shaken-down' a Countryman in a rally-style adventure last week
), and the expectation is that Prodrive will use a more experienced rally driver for this test. Internet reports suggest
Marcus Gronholm
could be the man in the hot seat, as apparently he's weighing up a full-time return to the WRC with Mini.
This first official test car is running with an interim body and aero package, while design of the final World Rally Car bodywork is underway.
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4 3"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)