05:57 21-02-2026

MINI developing off-road Countryman with Dakar rally inspiration

MINI is undergoing a rare transformation. After refreshing its entire lineup and introducing the Aceman, the brand still needs a model to recapture audience attention. According to sources, the company is finally preparing the Countryman that fans have dreamed of for years—a proper off-road version far from the familiar urban SUV. Although the project has been discussed under various leaderships, only now has it approached realistic series production prospects.

The future model is based on a desire to move beyond purely on-road positioning. MINI is actively studying its experience in Dakar rally raids, where the brand gained deep knowledge about layout, chassis, and suspension performance in extreme conditions. Insiders report that specialists have already worked on prototypes within the company. MINI’s head of design, Holger Hampf, has directly hinted in his statements that the current Countryman has not yet shown all its cards.

Preliminary data suggests the off-road version will feature increased ground clearance, unique wheels, off-road tires, and refined exterior elements that enhance both functionality and appearance. However, MINI emphasizes that this won’t be as extreme as the approach taken by tuning atelier Delta4x4—the production car will remain practical but noticeably more rugged in spirit.

The main intrigue lies in the powertrain. Despite the brand’s electrification, MINI is still debating whether to equip such a Countryman with an internal combustion engine. The reason is simple: true off-road dynamics demand instant torque, and engineers believe a combustion engine might better meet the expectations of those who want traditional driving feel. On the other hand, an electric version could offer immense torque, but the concept hasn’t been finalized yet.

The most off-road-oriented Countryman is expected to arrive before 2030. If the project actually goes into series production, it could become the biggest image boost for MINI in the last decade and open up a niche previously inaccessible to the brand’s classic models.