MINI Countryman WRC debuted at the Paris Motor show, yesterday. The car is not created just for fun, but it will marks its entry into WRC and will compete in the World Rally Championship next year -2011.

MINI Countryman WRC is powered by 1.6 liter turbocharged engine. The development of the car started back in 2009 and it recently began its race-conditions testing at the Prodrive rally track.

Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht, brand management chief at MINI  comments: "The interest in motorsport among the present generation of MINI customers is massive. The WRC provides an excellent communications platform for the MINI Countryman, upon which the MINI WRC is based,".

The plan for MINI Countryman WRC is to compete in 6 of 13 rounds next year, and to fully compete in the 2012 season.

The driver for the next season is Kris Meeke of the U.K. We wish him luck!

MINI WRC Paris (2010) - picture 1 of 4
MINI WRC Paris (2010) - picture 2 of 4
MINI WRC Paris (2010) - picture 3 of 4
MINI WRC Paris (2010) - picture 4 of 4

MINI Countryman WRC (2011) - picture 1 of 7
MINI Countryman WRC (2011) - picture 2 of 7
MINI Countryman WRC (2011) - picture 3 of 7
MINI Countryman WRC (2011) - picture 4 of 7
MINI Countryman WRC (2011) - picture 5 of 7
MINI Countryman WRC (2011) - picture 6 of 7
MINI Countryman WRC (2011) - picture 7 of 7