Following last year’s performance, MINI and X-raid have collaborated to create another exciting vehicle for the 2018 Dakar Rally.

The rear-wheel-drive MINI John Cooper Works “Buggy” boasts a unique tubular steel frame and a carbon-fiber and kevlar-reinforced plastic body. The specially designed frame offers maximum protection to both the driver and passenger.

The two companies were able to achieve the classic buggy aesthetic thanks to MINI’s design input and the addition of aerodynamic elements. The souped-up “Buggy” now produces 340 hp and 800 Nm of torque thanks to a 3.0-liter diesel engine.

“Buggy” was subjected to a number of terrain tests to ensure maximum performance for the upcoming Dakar Rally. According to team manager Sven Quandt, the vehicle completely exceeded expectations, never falling victim to technical problems.

The debut of a new collaboration project shouldn’t come as a surprise since the two companies worked together to debut the more advanced all-wheel-drive MINI John Cooper Works Rally, which came in sixth place overall at last year’s Dakar Rally.