Seeing as both brands fall under the BMW umbrella, it wasn’t really a far-fetched idea to have British luxury automaker, Rolls Royce, and German carmaker, MINI, tie up for a special edition project. The question wasn’t so much if these two highly regarded brands could collaborate, but more of when they would do it.
Apparently, that question has finally been answered.
At the Shanghai Auto Show, MINI and Rolls Royce will introduce a limited production Cooper S model called the “MINI Inspired by Goodwood’, a direct homage to the latter’s base of operations in Goodwood, England.
The car was developed with the help of the Rolls Royce design team and, together with the folks from MINI, they created a car that will be produced in only 1,000 units. The “MINI Inspired by Goodwood” is decked out with the kind of exclusive and luxury amenities that only Rolls Royce can be known for.
It’s been a long time in the making, but hey, at the very least we finally get to see the car in full production guise. Let’s just all hope that this car won’t cost as much as a Ghost or a Phantom.
UPDATE 08/19/2011:: The whispers of Mini sending some of this special edition MINI’s 1,000 units over to the US were correct, but we don’t have to pay the converted price of $68,000. Nope, official pricing for the Mini GoodWood sits at $52,000, according to reports. This new, lower price still makes the MINI Cooper S "Inspired by Goodwood" the most expensive small premium car. Hey, Rolls Royce inspiration doesn’t come cheap, especially considering the Mini Cooper models in the States cost between $19K and $28K, depending on the model. All in all, Mini will be sending 140 units over to our side of the pond. Orders will begin next month and the first deliveries will be made in the second quarter of 2012. (MotoringFile)
More details on the MINI Cooper S "Inspired by Goodwood" by Rolls-Royce after the jump.
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After being refreshed back in 2010, the new generation Mini is preparing to be released on the market in 2013. This new generation will consist of 10 individual models, including Mini’s take on a revised Clubman and an MPV variation being called the "Traveller."
Mini’s MK3 family, codenamed F56, will be built on a brand-new BMW-engineered platform called the UKL1. This new platform will come in two wheelbase lengths and will adopt three-door and five-door hatches, a super-compact SUV, and a tall 5-series GT-style car.
Most of the new models will be powered by a new range of advanced BMW three-cylinder engines that will replace the current four-cylinder engines, but will be much more fuel efficient. These new engines are said to deliver between 120 HP to 160 HP, but there are rumors suggesting the new Mini family, especially the John Cooper Works models, will also use BMW’s new 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine with an output of 230 HP. The new UKL1 platform is also suitable for at least one type of hybrid drivetrain so expect to see this in the next Mini family.
The new Mini family will make its official debut by the end of 2012 and will go on sale in 2013.
Mini and Jerome Griffith, CEO of luggage label TUMI have unveiled a special car developed specially for the Chinese market. The new model is called the "Mini goes Tumi" and will combine design, along with art and technology. The concept will be offered in two versions: one painted in Black (or Alpha) and the other one painted in classic Hunter Green (or Alpha Brave). Every detail of the car has been outfitted with special Tumi-inspired paint jobs from silhouette to tires and grill to trunk lid.
The concept car will have the exclusive features of the Clubman and the Cooper S Clubman model of he Mini Cooper and will be offered with a matching set of luggage to show the perfect collaboration. The interior combines custom Tumi fabrics in black and orange, or black and red depending on the version.
The concept cars will be on tour world-wide during the coming year. There’s been no word as to if the concept will be put into production.
The mad car tuning scientists over at AC Schnitzer in Germany have apparently been working on a secret project based on the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works that transforms the cute little car into the fastest Mini JCW ever. Apparently, in the company’s latest testing, the racing Frankenstein pulled off a sensational lap time of 1:13.341 min. around the Hockenheim Circuit. Okay, so it still can’t beat the KTM X-Bow, the BMW M3 Kompressor, the Mercedes AMG, or the Caterham models, but the power boost was enough to bump it into the next class and leave its class rivals behind.
The AC Schnitzer Eagle, or "little rocket," is able to up its performance from a standard 211 HP to 260 HP with the use of a new turbocharger and intercooler, a new sports clutch, a limited slip differential, a lightweight ion battery, and AC Schnitzer’s Motronic program. Then a stainless steel exhaust system with racing catalyst, a new racing suspension, and a ’Short Shift’ transmission were thrown in to round off the technical specifications. The power modifications allow the Mini Cooper JCW to sprint from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds (down from 6.5) with a top speed of 155mph (up from 148mph).
Aesthetically speaking, the Mini Cooper JCW had to be made meaner with the use of anti-roll bars, a carbon fiber body kit, a carbon bonnet, carbon wings and doors, and a new set of 18" wheels.
AC Schnitzer has valued to Eagle at EUR62,000, or about $88,600 at the current rates, but don’t whip out those wallets just yet; this car isn’t for sale.
Back in April 2011, Rolls Royce and Mini rolled out the Mini Cooper S "Inspired by Goodwood" by Rolls-Royce, a model based off a standard Mini Cooper S and inspired by Rolls Royce’s design elements. Vilner Studio took one look at the special edition and decided if Rolls Royce could do it, then they could do it even better by opting to transform the Mini’s interior into that of a Bentley model. Their package is called the "Italian Job" - after the movie - and features one of the most impressive interiors anyone will ever see in a Mini.
The package starts off with Nappa leather, the same leather used in Bentley’s factory, offered in brown and combined with two colors of high-tech Alcantara. This tan leather has a diamond-shaped texture that also matches Bentley’s pattern and can be found on the seats and doors where they are combined with smooth black leather. All of the original plastic parts were then sprayed down with a sparkling gray finish.
The Mini Cooper S package was all about transforming the interior to look like a Bentley, but the exterior was not left out entirely. Vilner chose a matte gray wrap and then added two matte black racing stripes going up the hood towards the full matte black roof. The package is completed by a new set of 18" black wheels.
