Video: Mini Countryman WRC test

In our lifelong search for irony, we giggled like schoolgirls upon seeing the Mini Countryman.  It's massive! It's called Mini!

When this giggling settled into a dignified, manly chortle, we discovered the Countryman is actually rather good. Which makes it a prime candidate for a spot of rallying.

See more pics of the Mini Countryman

Engineering god Prodrive has teamed up with Mini to build a proper BMW-engined WRC-spec Mini to compete next year. This be no cynical exercise in marketing though - Prodrive and Mini have their eyes firmly on the prize.

Don't forget, ye aged beings, Mini was a big deal back in 1960s rallying, and this new 1.6-litre turbocharged Countryman wants some of the glory days back.

Check out this shakedown footage of the Mini Countryman, hear it scream and then tell us you aren't excited...