MINI has exhibited the new John Cooper Works S2000 WRC, which actually will be driven by Dani Sordo (ES) and Kris Meeke (GB) in its rally debut at the Rally Italy from 5 – 8 May 2011.

The car will also enter the competition in various other events which will take place in Finland, Germany, France, Spain and Great Britain. The MINI John Cooper Works S2000 on display in Geneva will be entered by private teams at the end of March in Rally Portugal.

The reworked version features a big rear wing, ultra-lightweight plastic side windows, and more efficient front aerodynamics. It also includes water-cooled brakes on the front axle.

MINI John Cooper Works S2000 WRC is powered by turbocharged 1.6-litre engine used in standard MINI production cars. The same engine also powers the BMW 320 TC run by privately-entered teams in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. So we expect perfect performance from the small hatchback.

MINI John Coooper Works S2000 (2011)
MINI John Coooper Works S2000 (2011) - picture 1 of 3
MINI John Coooper Works S2000 (2011) - picture 2 of 3
MINI John Coooper Works S2000 (2011) - picture 3 of 3

The FIA WRC calendar 2011 at a glance.

Date Event
10-13 February 2011 Rally Sweden
3-6 March 2011 Rally Mexico
24-27 March 2011 Rally Portugal
14-16 April 2011 Rally Jordan
5-8 May 2011 Rally Italy*
26-29 May 2011 Rally Argentina
16-19 June 2011 Rally Greece
28-31 July 2011 Rally Finland*
18-21 August 2011 Rally Germany*
8-11 September 2011 Rally Australia
29 September-2 October 2011 Rally France*
20-23 October 2011 Rally Spain*
10-13 November 2011 Rally GB*

*The MINI WRC Team is planning to enter these events

Source: MINI