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special edition: MINI Highgate

James — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:00:22 +0000

Not included in MINI’s announcement yesterday (for the MINI Baker Street and MINI Bayswater) but posted on MINI Space today, is a third special edition MINI for 2012. This one comes only in Convertible form.

From MINI Space:

The MINI Cabrio Highgate hails from the exclusive residential district of the Kingdom’s capital, an area noted for its historic architecture and expansive green parks. Inside and out, we found the MINI Cabrio Highgate to be a true stand out. Dipped in what has to be one of the coolest sounding colors — Iced Chocolate Metallic — it gives off a muted but noble look. Catch a glimpse of it in the sunlight though and you’ll see some delicate shimmers of blue glowing underneath, and even a little unexpected sheen from the Silvertouched Brown soft top. Add to that the brown and black bonnet stripes accented with slim blue edges, it’s regal leather interior marked with bright blue piping and its stainless steel pedals, and you’ve got one finely dressed MINI.

special edition: MINI Bayswater

James — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:30:51 +0000

From BMW Group PressClub Global:

MINI Bayswater: the extrovert sportsman.

The MINI Bayswater wears its inherent sporting élan and extrovert style very much on its sleeve. The Kite Blue metallic exterior paintwork was created exclusively for the special-edition model, as was the interior design and 17-inch light-alloy Sandblast wheels with high-gloss black surfaces and bright machined rim and spoke edges. Midnight Black metallic and Eclipse Grey metallic paint shades can be ordered for the MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper SD as an alternative to the new, radiant Blue finish. The sporty appearance of the MINI Bayswater is emphasised by the black contrasting roof and the likewise newly created Sport Stripes for the bonnet, which streak dynamically towards the windscreen. The exterior mirror caps carry an identical stripe design – blue on the right-hand side of the car, grey on the left.

“Bayswater” lettering adorns the side indicator surrounds, door sills and seat tags. The Punch Leather seats come in the exclusive colour variant Rocklite Anthracite and include side bolsters sporting a metallic sheen and blue and grey contrast stitching. Two-tone contrast stitching also adorns the gearshift/selector lever and handbrake gaiters.

Other innovative design features in the interior include Piano Black cockpit trim strips, which continue the path set by the Sport Stripes over the bonnet, and the leather Colour Line elements in Rocklite Anthracite, whose classy character is emphasised by black stitching. The same leather variant is also used for the armrests, while the model-specific floor mats have anthracite-coloured edging and blue contrast stitching.

The MINI Bayswater also comes with stainless steel pedals and the Chrome Line Interior package, and includes the Pepper Pack in its range of equipment. Plus, the new special edition can likewise be specified with a wide variety of items from the optional equipment list if further individual touches are desired.

In keeping with its sporting charisma, the MINI Bayswater lines up for action with powerful engines at its fingertips. Customers can order their MINI Bayswater in MINI Cooper (90 kW/122 hp), MINI Cooper S (135 kW/184 hp), MINI Cooper D (82 kW/112 hp) or MINI Cooper SD (105 kW/143 hp) trim. The special-edition model is also delivered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a six-speed automatic features in the options range.

The MINI Bayswater takes its name from an extremely vibrant area of London. Located to the west of the city centre – halfway between the shopping hot spots of Knightsbridge and Notting Hill – Bayswater is best known for its unusually high density of bars and restaurants, not to mention the adjacent and no less famous Hyde Park. MINI is therefore returning to the London theme to further accentuate the link with both its home country and the fascination surrounding the London lifestyle. Indeed, both the MINI Bayswater and MINI Baker Street are following in the tyre tracks of a naming tradition begun by the classic Mini and reprised more recently with the MINI Camden, MINI Mayfair and MINI Clubman Hampton special editions.

special edition: MINI Baker Street

James — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:00:17 +0000

From BMW Group PressClub Global:

MINI Baker Street: an individualist with a taste for extravagance.

New exterior and interior design details developed exclusively for the MINI Baker Street mark out this special-edition model. The Rooftop Grey metallic exterior paint shade combines with special bonnet stripes whose basic colour black is given extra character by a subtle V-shape design. 16-inch 6-Star twin-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in high-gloss black along with matching black exterior mirror caps present an attractive contrast to the bold, contemporary appearance of the new exterior paintwork.

The MINI Baker Street can also be ordered as an option in the body shades Pepper White and Midnight Black. In MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper D trim the roof is painted black, while “Baker Street” lettering on the side scuttles framing the side indicators points to the exclusive character of this special-edition model.

In the interior a fresh interpretation of the cloth/leather seats available for the standard MINI teams up with exclusive interior surfaces to create an unmistakable ambience. In traditional British style, the surfaces of the new seat variant in Cross Check Rooftop Grey light feature a diamond pattern. Cross Check Rooftop Grey light is also used for the surfaces of the cockpit and door trim and is combined with a Rooftop Grey light Colour Line. Light grey contrast stitching for the floor mats, gearshift/selector lever as well as the handbrake gaiters and seat tags which, like the door sills, bear “Baker Street” lettering, round off the array of bespoke interior features. The Chrome Line Interior package adds further lustre.

The equipment list for the MINI Baker Street also includes the Pepper Pack, which brings with it air conditioning, an on-board computer, a leather steering wheel, the Chrome Line Exterior package, front foglamps, a lighting package and height adjustment for the front passenger seat. The range of optional equipment, meanwhile, offers a host of other items with which customers can tailor their car to their personal requirements. The range of available engine variants for the MINI Baker Street spans the MINI One (72 kW/98 hp), MINI Cooper (90 kW/122 hp), MINI One D (66 kW/90 hp) and MINI Cooper D (82 kW/112 hp). All the engines channel their power through a six-speed manual gearbox as standard or an optional six-speed automatic.

For visitors to London and locals alike, the MINI Baker Street’s name will be synonymous with the address of a certain fictional hero. It is 125 years since Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle released his first story with the master detective in the title role. Today, the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madame Tussauds waxworks museum can both be found just a stone’s throw from Baker Street underground station.

MINI London 2012 special edition for the UK

James — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:30:05 +0000

To celebrate the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games, MINI has released the MINI London 2012 special edition.

There will be just 2,012 of these special edition models built, which are available in Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD trims and come in the Union Jack themed colours; Chilli Red, White Silver or Lightning Blue. All models boast white mirror caps and a white roof featuring the iconic London 2012 Olympic graphic.

The exterior also features a distinctive Union Jack single sport stripe which runs over the bonnet, roof and rear tailgate of the car. The side scuttles also bear the London 2012 Olympic graphic. To finish off the dynamic look, the MINI London 2012 edition features unique grey 17-inch conical spoke alloy wheels – unavailable on any other MINI model.

Inside, the most striking feature is the London skyline, beautifully etched across the width of the piano-black dashboard. Silhouetting some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Battersea Power Station and the London Eye, the dashboard also displays the words “London 1 of 2012”.

Read the press release MINI LONDON 2012 EDITION HITS THE STARTING BLOCKS.

Monte Carlo limited-edition MINI then and now

James — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:00:21 +0000

According to Leftlane, MINI will produce a limited-edition MINI Cooper S Monte-Carlo for the European market only. There will be just 200 made, each numbered on the side scuttle and steering wheel. MINI rally legend Rauno Aaltonen signed each MINI.

Longtime MINI fans will remember that MINI USA sold the limited-edition 40th Anniversary MINI Cooper S Monte Carlo Rallye Commemorative Edition (better known as the MC40) back in 2004. The MC40 was limited to 1,000 examples and each was individually numbered on a commemorative plaque with Paddy Hopkirk’s signature.

MINI Cooper S MC40		MINI Monte-Carlo
2004	Year	2012
MINI Cooper S (R53)	Model	MINI Cooper S (R56)
Chili Red and White	Colors	Chili Red and White
United States	Market	Europe
1,000	Production	200
Sport Package, R90 17″ Anthracite Cross Spoke Wheels, Dynamic Stability Control, 2 Driving Lights, 3-Spoke Leather Sport Steering Wheel, Front and Rear Fog Lights, Xenon Headlamps with Power Washers, Chrome Side-View Mirrors and Exterior Details, Commemorative “Rallye Monte Carlo” Body Decals, a GB Badge, Replica 33EJB Number Plate Decal, Magnetic #37 Door Panels, Carbon Fiber Dash, Matte Chrome Shift Knob with MC40 Pattern, Auxiliary Gauges, Special Red and Black Leather Rallye Seats, and an Individually Numbered Commemorative Plaque with Paddy Hopkirk’s Signature.	Features	White Racing Stripes and White Side Stripes, White 12-Spoke Wheels, 4 Driving Lights, Chrome Line Exterior, Fog Lights, Xenon Headlamps, White Painted Bonnet Scoop, White Painted Gas Cap Surround, “Monte-Carlo” stitched seats, Red and Black Two-Toned Steering Wheel, Numbered Monte-Carlo Keychain. Options include: JCW Tuning Kit, JCW Aerodynamic Kit, JCW Brakes, Automatic Transmission.
$27,449 (US)	Price	€36,500 (Europe)

MINI Clubman 50 Hampton Edition photos

James — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:00:10 +0000

Our German partner site bigblogg.motoring has exclusive photos of the forthcoming MINI Clubman 50 Hampton Edition. The “50″ this time refers to the 50th anniversary since the introduction of the Austin Countryman and Morris Mini Traveller. The MINI Clubman 50 Hampton Edition will be available in current colors Eclipse Grey, Midnight Black, and Pepper White but also in a new color, Reef Blue Metallic, shown above. Exterior details include mirror caps and bonnet stripes in a dark red called Damson Red, special side scuttles, MINI 50 grille badge, and wheel center caps on the 17″ Twin-Spoke Alloy wheels.

See more photos from bigblogg.motoring at Exklusiv: Der MINI Clubman 50 Hampton (English translated version).

last MINI WC50 is produced

James — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:30:17 +0000

After nearly a year of production, the 500th of 500 MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 special editions has left the assembly line in Oxford. It is due to be shipped to a customer in Australia.

Dr Jürgen Hedrich , managing director of Mini Plant Oxford, said: “The Mini World Championship has been an interesting and important project for Plant Oxford. This special and very popular sports car has generated a lot of interest around the world.”

Read the article 500th special Mini is off to OZ from the Oxford Mail.

MINI One MINIMALISM line

James — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:41:02 +0000

In an effort to increase the fuel efficiency and reduce the emissions across the range, MINI is introducing a new MINI One MINIMALISM line in Europe. There will be a MINI One MINIMALISM Line Hardtop and MINI One MINIMALISM Line Convertible. These de-tuned MINIs will have either 74 hp (75 PS) at 5000 rpm or 97 hp (98 PS) at 4750 rpm. Torque figures are, respectively, 106 ft-lb (144 Nm) at 2250 rpm and 113 ft-lb (153 Nm) at 3000 rpm.