Mini will be returning to the World Rally Championship next year... and, slightly unexpectedly, will be doing so with the Cooper Countryman S. This actually makes a lot of sense, as the Countryman is already available with 4WD, hence eliminating the need for drivetrain homologation which would be faced if BMW were to use the smaller Cooper.
Developed by Prodrive, the Countryman will be powered by a turbocharged 1600cc four-banger and, while it doesn't really resemble the plucky rally Minis of yore, at least they've made an effort with the bonnet-mounted lamp pod - and you see that no.37 plastered down the sides? That was the number of Paddy Hopkirk's Mini in which he won the Monte Carlo rally in 1964.
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