Reaction to the concept of Mini returning to the World Rally Championships where it once reigned supreme with the bulbous Countryman has been somewhat mixed. Here's video proof from Mini that with enough race prep, pigs can fly.

X-Raid's rally team worked up this Mini Countryman to fly over, as well as traverse, the blinding white dunes of Argentina's Fiambala, the vast Atacama Desert and the death-defying descent into Iquique in northern Chile. It's the 2011 Dakar, Mini-style.

Mini let slip a few Countryman pricing details at yesterday's press launch for 2011 models. The big news? The four-door Cooper will start at a base price of $22,350 — only $550 more than the equivalent Clubman. [MotoringFile]

Mini will return to the World Rally Championship next year with this kitted-up Mini Cooper Countryman S, powered by a 1.6-liter DI fourbanger gently massaged by BMW. Expect regular Mini drivers to begin dressing as Paddy Hopkirk for Halloween.

The Mini Countryman crossover/SUV/bloated fugmobile hasn't impressed us yet, but the advertising is typical Mini-clever. Example? This fake surfwear billboard around the corner from the real Countryman advert. [Copyranter]

MINI fanboys, set your hearts to flutter, the company's officially announced a return to rallying. Prodrive's developing a World Rally Championship race-ready MINI Countryman for a run in the 2011 series. Rumor has it Marcus Grönholm's interested in driving. [Rallybuzz]

Why this MINI Countryman was hiding in sniper camouflage, we don't know. But, judging by the wacky-haired Chinese hipster kids nonchalantly hanging out around the hidden car, it's got a good chance at taking a few out.

The first four-door Mini, the Countryman, is officially here, continuing the tradition BMW started with the Clubman of watering down this beloved brand until it's almost completely unrecognizable. What's next, a Mini minivan called the "Familyman?"

Someone leaked shots of what is clearly the new MINI Cooper crossover and they show off everything about the new car — except whether its called the Mini Countryman or Mini Crossman. More pics of the biggest Mini below.