The 2017 Dakar Rally will see the race debut of the new MINI John Cooper Works Rally; a much-improved car, built from experience gained from four successive Dakar Rally wins (2012-2015), and four FIA World cup titles.
Composite carbon-fibre bodywork and Kevlar makes up the MINI John Cooper Works Rally outer shell, while a honeycomb mix of the same materials is used for an underside tier underneath the main body. A specialist frame constructed from aerospace-standard tubular steel ensures the safety of the occupants.
Suspension is by specialist 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. Rear brakes are both air and water cooled.
At the heart is a TwinPower Turbo Six-Cylinder Diesel engine sourced from BMW Group that makes 340 horspower and 800 Nm of torque. The extended driveline features an AP Racing clutch combined with a six-speed SADEV sequential gearbox.
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: 6-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
The Dakar Rally route for 2017 includes three countries, namely Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina covering a distance of approximately 9000 km, of which more than 4000 km will be special stages. A longer duration at altitude has been planned for the 2017 Dakar, along with a mix of desert dunes, rocky ravines and river beds.
