Thursday 9th September 2010

Mini Countryman WRC Shake-Down Complete

Prodrive heads to Portugal for gravel tests with Marcus Gronholm (allegedly)

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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.

[HowardB]

PistonHeads, leading the way again!

Keep up the good work

;-)

[Gizmo!]

I hadn't realised until I saw the top photo that the Countryman has the same 'combover' roof as the "coupé".

Odd.

[Rude-boy]

I hadn't realised quite how many pies MG seems to have been eating whilst sitting out this season

[E36GUY]

Love to see Gronholm back!

[Garett]

I despise this new mini but I am glad to see some manufacturers taking an interest in wrc again !

[will261058]

Garett said:

I despise this new mini but I am glad to see some manufacturers taking an interest in wrc again !

I realise that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this car is no beauty but "despise"? There are a few truely ugly cars out there like the odious Rodious for example but this is not one of them. Unless of course you are one of those that hate any mini that is not the original regardless of what it looks like.

[4x4disco]

Gronholm back?

He will either be very fast, or I will get to meet him, when pulling him out of a ditch.

As for prodrive, everything to prove, and they are the ones who can do it.

Best of luck, we need the numbers in the sport.

[Nickellarse]

Good luck to them. It would be great to see Mini winning!

They've got some big brains working on it by the looks of those two fellas in the photo!

[Stuart]

Pic of the week. Right there.

[BlackSteel]

I for one cannot wait until Prodrive bring out the road car.

Should have a least 270bhp & the diffs reconfigured so it's drives more like a rear wheel drive car It will look means as hell.

A few people recon it's ugly! Compared to what? A Nissan Juke!!!! LAMAO.

[y2blade]

I think the Road version will be fantastic

[EDLT]

4x4disco said:

Gronholm back?

He will either be very fast, or I will get to meet him, when pulling him out of a ditch.

As for prodrive, everything to prove, and they are the ones who can do it.

Best of luck, we need the numbers in the sport.

He still does the odd WRC event, he is still very fast then he drives into a ditch.

[Emeye]

Everyone seems confident that Prodrive are going to be very competitive with the MINI, but they seemed to struggle with the Impreza until Subaru pulled out of the WRC.

Any one know the reason for their issues with the Impreza?

Also, I was hoping Petter Solberg might end up with a factory drive, possibly with MINI - he has more than proved himself this year!

[TonyHetherington]

Stuart said:

Pic of the week. Right there.

Are those two cardboard cut outs?!

[Chris-R]

TonyHetherington said:

Stuart said:

Pic of the week. Right there.

Are those two cardboard cut outs?!

No, we have to use live ones - the budget won't stretch to cardboard cut outs...

[NWVT]

Chris-R said:

TonyHetherington said:

Stuart said:

Pic of the week. Right there.

Are those two cardboard cut outs?!

No, we have to use live ones - the budget won't stretch to cardboard cut outs...

PMSL i knew this pic would come back definetly pic of the week lol

[Gridl0k]

I remember the first time I was shot out of a cannon...

[will261058]

I too cant wait to see the road car. I think it looks pretty good standard. Where I live a 4x4 is a necessity and I would have one in an instant if there is enough room inside in the 5 seat version.

Edited by will261058 on Thursday 9th September 16:41

[y2blade]

NWVT said:

Chris-R said:

TonyHetherington said:

Stuart said:

Pic of the week. Right there.

Are those two cardboard cut outs?!

No, we have to use live ones - the budget won't stretch to cardboard cut outs...

PMSL i knew this pic would come back definetly pic of the week lol

good work Nick

[F1GTRUeno]

Why the hell aren't they using the normal Cooper?

The Countryman is hideous.