With the Countryman Crossover, Mini is shaking off the cutesy image they’ve acquired with the new Cooper and putting on a sporty and macho face.

First we had the Mini Countryman WRC, and now this, the MINI ALL4 Racing which is a tough 4×4 off-roader built by Monster energy X-Raid team for 2011 Dakar Rally.

The ALL4 will be using the same 315-hp and 523 lb-ft of torque turbo-diesel engine from X-Raid’s BMW X3-CC crosscountry racer, and will have its shakedown in France on December 13/14th. It will then be transported by airfreight to South America for final preparations for scrutineering in Buenos Aires at the end of the month.

The event starts in Buenos Aires on New Year’s Day and finishes in the Argentine capital on Sunday, January 16th, 2011.