MINI’s History of Off-Roaders Is Finally Set to Hit Showrooms

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MINI has always been a brand with a bit of dirt under its fingernails. From the icy roads of Monte Carlo to the brutal sands of Dakar, it has consistently proven to be far tougher than its playful exterior suggests. Yet despite its motorsport pedigree, MINI has never brought a truly off-road-capable vehicle to production. That, however, may finally be about to change.

Over the years, we’ve seen some incredible concepts come and go. Marketing has teased the idea. But a real, trail-ready MINI? Never. Now, that’s poised to shift—both through something official from MINI and, unofficially, via their long-time rally partners.

From Monte Carlo to the Dunes: A Rally-Bred Heritage

It all started with a giant-killer. The classic Mini Cooper S earned global fame in the 1960s by outmaneuvering and outlasting far more powerful cars on the world’s toughest rally stages. John Cooper’s hot-rodded Minis dominated the Monte Carlo Rally, not once but three times, embedding a legacy of motorsport defiance that remains MINI’s spiritual core. As explored in MotoringFile’s in-depth look at the origins of the JCW brand, these cars weren’t just fast — they were symbols of ingenuity over brute force.

Concepts That Paved the Path: the beachcomber and Scrambler

Despite this DNA, MINI never committed to building an off-road production vehicle. Instead, we got hints. The 2010 Beachcomber Concept was a bold homage to the original Mini Moke, built on the R60 Countryman platform and featuring a raised ride height to enhance its off-road potential. Designed without doors or a conventional roof, it offered open-air freedom with modular protection via a removable soft top and lightweight side panels. Reinforced A- and D-pillars ensured structural integrity, while its elevated stance and all-wheel-drive setup hinted at real trail capability.

Then in 2016, the Clubman ALL4 Scrambler Concept took things even further—featuring raised ride height, off-road tires, and rugged design cues that clearly nodded to adventure bikes and soft-roaders. Surprisingly, it was created by MINI Italy and wasn’t fully sanctioned by MINI Global. Still, in our eyes, it looked even cooler than the Beachcomber, thanks to its wagon-like Clubman platform. Yet despite public interest, MINI never seemed particularly eager to bring any of these off-road concepts to production.

MINI Odyssey 2006: The Real-World Proof

And yet, the capability was there. In 2006, MINI took three nearly stock Cooper S hatchbacks and drove them from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Oxford, England — a 13,000 km gauntlet across 10 countries in just 49 days. Known as the MINI Odyssey, this wasn’t a cushy PR stunt. The route tackled harsh terrain in Sudan and northern Kenya, resulting in bent rims and battered suspensions — and yet all three cars completed the journey. If ever there was proof that MINI’s modern, stock platform had untapped toughness, this was it.

Sainz Carlos Sr., Cruz Lucas, Dakar 2021

MINI, Dakar 2018

The X-raid Countryman: From Dakar to Driveway

The history of MINI’s X-Raid team at the Dakar Rally is one of calculated dominance, engineering excellence, and surprising brand synergy. X-Raid, a private German motorsport outfit founded by Sven Quandt, first partnered with MINI in 2011, bringing the Countryman-based MINI ALL4 Racing to the world’s toughest off-road race. At a glance, it looked like a MINI, but underneath was a custom-built rally machine tailored for the extremes of Dakar—massive suspension travel, a reinforced tubular frame, and a BMW-sourced diesel powertrain. The result? A nearly unstoppable force. From 2012 to 2015, the MINI ALL4 Racing won four consecutive Dakar titles, capping it off with a fifth win in 2020 with the newer MINI John Cooper Works Buggy, which swapped the traditional all-wheel-drive layout for a rear-wheel-drive, long-travel setup better suited for desert racing.

What set the MINI X-Raid effort apart wasn’t just the wins—it was the consistency and professionalism that rivaled factory teams from much larger brands. While the Dakar Rally is notorious for chewing up even the best-prepared entries, MINI’s X-Raid machines proved nearly bulletproof, delivering not just victories but regular podium finishes. X-Raid’s methodical, Germanic approach to prep and logistics, combined with MINI’s marketing savvy, created a unique motorsport narrative: a premium compact brand conquering one of the most brutal proving grounds on earth. Over time, the Dakar successes helped reshape MINI’s image—from a street-savvy urban icon to a badge that could also symbolize rugged capability and endurance.

The 2020 X-Raid F60 MINI Countryman

In 2020, MINI and X-Raid offered enthusiasts a rare opportunity to bring a taste of Dakar to their driveway with the limited X-Raid MINI Countryman Edition. Far from a mere styling exercise, this factory-sanctioned upgrade package featured a suite of purposeful enhancements rooted in X-Raid’s rally expertise. The Countryman received a 40mm suspension lift courtesy of upgraded springs and shocks, lightweight 17-inch wheels wrapped in serious all-terrain tires, and underbody protection for real-world off-road resilience. A roof rack, additional LED lighting, and bold orange-accented livery completed the transformation—functional, rugged, and unmistakably MINI. While it wasn’t a full-blown race car, it delivered genuine trail capability, making it one of the most authentically adventurous variants MINI had ever produced for the public. The X-Raid Edition stood out not just as a limited-edition model, but as a symbol of MINI’s often-overlooked off-road credibility, forged over thousands of miles in the world’s harshest rally.

the 2026 X-Raid U25 MINI Countryman

While it’s yet to to be confirmed, X-Raid in partnership with off-road specialists delta4x4, Is currently studying the feasibility of bringing a much more serious off-road MINI to the European market.

The X-Raid U25 MINI Countryman would feature a custom rally chassis that raises ride height by 50mm and widens the track by 10mm per side to accommodate 255/55 R18 tires on delta4x4 Hanma wheels. The body work has also been widened giving the Countryman a much more aggressive stance.

With delta4x4’s off-road expertise and X-Raid’s Dakar-winning DNA, this Countryman would be much more than a cosmetic exercise. Matte black paint, high-visibility orange accents, and bold X-Raid graphics give the vehicle presence, but the real focus is utility: a 76mm bull bar, PIAA auxiliary lighting, and a full roof rack system equipped to carry sand plates, a spare wheel, jerry cans, and other expedition essentials. All modifications are intended to be TÜV-certified, and plans are for the build to be street-legal under German law.

MINI To Launch Countryman Off-Road Package

By far the most accessible and perhaps exciting development will be something you can buy at your local dealer. According to our exclusive sources, MINI is preparing to introduce an optional off-road package for the U25-generation Countryman, aiming to enhance its rugged appeal and trail capabilities. This package is expected to include a modest suspension lift, unique wheels, and 225/55 R18 General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires, which offer balanced performance for both on-road and off-road driving. While it won’t transform the Countryman into a hardcore off-roader like a Land Rover Defender, the upgrades will improve approach and departure angles, making it more adept at handling rough trails.  

In addition to mechanical enhancements, the off-road package is anticipated to feature distinctive exterior and interior styling elements that emphasize its adventurous character. This initiative seems to draw inspiration from the earlier X-Raid edition of the F60 Countryman, which offered similar off-road-focused modifications. It’s currently unclear whether this package will be available across all trim levels or introduced as a dedicated trim. The debut of the off-road-equipped Countryman is expected sometime in 2026. 

A New Off-Road Chapter Begins

For decades, MINI’s off-road story has been split in two: rally-stage legends on one side and style-forward crossovers on the other. Now, for the first time, those paths are starting to converge. Whether it’s the hardcore X-Raid build or a more accessible factory package, MINI finally seems poised to embrace a long-neglected part of its heritage.

The brand’s rally legacy has always been about underdog audacity. Bringing that spirit into the production lineup—even in small doses—might just be MINI’s most genuine move in years.

Frankly, it’s about time.

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