That’s gotta hurt. MINI Countryman nose-dives during 360-foot world-record jump

By Joe Mahan March 25, 2014

360 foot car jump attempt fails steal guinness world record mini countryman guerlain chicherit crash video filmed crashing — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Careening through houses, thumping down stairs, and slipping onto trains are not the only crazy stunts MINIs are capable of. Everything has to be bigger and better, in order to satisfy some strange human lust for seeing small hatchbacks fly through the air.

Tanner Foust set the Guinness World Record in 2011 with an outrageous 332-foot jum p. Foust, however, chose a flying truck instead of a MINI Countryman. So what on earth was going through professional skier and French rally driver Guerlain Chicherit’s mind when he attempted this stunt?

Last year Chicherit successfully preformed a back flip in a MINI. The entire car rotated around the engine in midair perfectly. You’d think the team would realize same thing could happen when jumping the Countryman. After all, the four-door MINI has most of its mass up front.

In a bid to beat Tanner Foust, the French rally driver tried to fly an incredible 360 feet. In the video below, you can see Chicherit nearly stick the landing, but the Countryman takes a sever and sudden nose dive. A MINI might look like it can fly, but I wouldn’t wager BMW engineered for flight. Thankfully Chicherit escaped unharmed but went to the hospital for safety measures.

Hopefully the next attempt will be a success; it would be nice to see the king of Hot-Wheels finally get “Fousted”.

Editors' Recommendations

Absurdly long car awarded Guinness World Record

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Joe Mahan is an intern at Digital Trends working in the Cars section. He is currently a Junior at the University of Portland…

Cars

Tesla Model 3 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 6: Which electric sedan is best?

Front three quarter view of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6.

There are finally some more electric sedan options. For years, the Tesla Model 3 was really the only good electric sedan that comes at a reasonable price -- until, Hyundai recently launched the Ioniq 6. The Ioniq 6 certainly takes some cues from the larger Ioniq 5, but is smaller and sleeker, with a design seemingly inspired by the Porsche 911.

But the Tesla Model 3 is still clearly an excellent option for those looking for an electric car, and who don't want a larger crossover. Which is better? Here's a look.
Design
The exterior design of the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 is quite different. If you've seen a Tesla car before, then you'll immediately recognize the Model 3 -- it looks largely like a slightly different version of every other Tesla (except the Cybertruck).

Cars

Scout Motors Electric SUV: rumored price, release date, design, and more

Scout SUV Teaser

There's another electric SUV on the way, and this one comes with a familiar name. Volkswagen is reviving the classic Scout name for a new electric SUV that's billed as being an "RUV," or a rugged utility vehicle. And, it could well prove itself as the best electric SUV in its price range, when it does finally come out.

The new EV isn't due out for quite some time, but there's already a fair bit that we know about it. Curious to learn more? Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Scout SUV.
Design
There's very little we actually know about the Scout SUV so far, but we do know a little about the eventual design. A few teasers for the upcoming vehicle have been released, showing sketches of both the SUV and the accompanying pickup truck, along with what's presumably the front of the SUV -- though in a dark environment, with little detail.

Cars

Volkswagen ID.GTI concept is another icon reimagined as an EV

Front three quarter view of the Volkswagen ID.GTI concept.

Volkswagen reinvented one of its most iconic models with the ID.Buzz, a modern, all-electric homage to the classic Microbus. But that's not the only fan favorite vehicle currently in the automaker's catalog.

Debuting at the 2023 Munich Auto Show, the Volkswagen ID.GTI concept aims to do for the Golf GTI hot hatchback — VW's signature performance car — what the ID.Buzz did for the Microbus. VW claims a production version has already been given the green light, although it won't say when it will appear.