Introduced in 1959, the original Mini Cooper revolutionized the city car market and became so popular that it remained in production until 2000. The nameplate was purchased by BMW and relaunched in a more modern form in 2001, but most enthusiasts agree that things haven't been the same. Nearly two decades have passed since the original Mini was discontinued and David Brown Automotive is bringing it back to life.

Called Mini Remastered, the new old Cooper is more than just a reproduction replica. While carefully crafted to resemble the original car from 1959, the small hatchback has been remastered to "meet the demands of modern day life." The exterior may not give away the modern production process of the car (unless you look closely), but the interior has been redesigned to include all sorts of high-tech features, including a premium infotainment system.

The original engine has also undergone a complete transformation. Not only more powerful, it also runs smoother than Mini's original unit, while returning improved performance and fuel economy. David Brown Automotive says that over 1,000 man hours go into creating each Mini Remastered. Let's find out why.

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Refined Exterior

The exterior may seem identical to the original car, but David Brown refined several details. For starters, the Remastered car looks sportier thanks to body-colored wheel arch extensions at all four corners and the center-mounted exhaust outlets. The Cooper also gained jewel-like LED rear light clusters and indicators with aluminium surrounds, as well as an aluminium grille inspired by David Brown Automotive's very own design language.

Chrome, bullet-style, door-mounted mirrors with integrated LED lamps have also been added. The exterior is rounded off by handcrafted badges using traditional die-sinking enamel techniques and a hand-applied paint process. Painting a Mini Remastered can take up to four weeks and David Brown say that this process ensures that "every car is not only flawlessly finished but protected for a lifetime" too.

Color options include 13 different shades. David Brown offers 11 non-metallic colors inspired from the original Mini palette, as well as to metallic choices for a more modern feel. You can also opt for either body-colored, white or black roof. Customization continues with the wheels. All rim options measure a tiny and original 12 inches in diameter, but the classic eight-spoke is available in five colors. There's silver, black, graphite, gold, and body color. If this design is too old-school for you, there's the more modern Mania alloy wheel design and the rather psychedelic Apollo option.

Premium Cabin

Inside, the Mini Remastered boasts the comfort and convenience of a modern car. Of course, the classic Mini Cooper is rather cramped for 21st century standards, but the cabin includes technology that you can't find in modern small hatchbacks. Tech-wise, David Brown added a premium infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. There's ambient lighting in the glove compartment, which houses an integrated USB/AUX port enabling convenient charging and connectivity.

The Mini Remastered is as luxurious as a David Brown Automotive vehicle can get, sporting full-grain, British leather upholstery discreetly embossed with the David Brown logo on the front and rear seats. The classic gauges have been replaced with illuminated modern dials with classic styling. The Cooper also has a knurled aluminum switchgear and a classic Mota-Lita steering wheel. On top of that, the sound-proofed cabin and the improved structural integrity provide a better ride and enhanced comfort.

Modern, Higher-Performance Drivetrain

Under the hood, David Brown kept the iconic 1,275cc four-cylinder engine, but rebuilt it with new parts and retuned it for better performance. The standard car now produces 30% more power than the original unit, with output estimated at 78 horsepower and 91 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a five-speed manual transmission, the four-banger propels the Mini Remastered from 0 to 62 mph in 11.7 seconds. To round off the upgrade, David Brown cleaned and painted the engine's outer body, while the oil filler cap and filter is color-coded with the cars exterior paint selection.

How Much it Costs and When Can I Get One?

Pricing information is not yet available, but if previous David Brown Automotive products are any indication, the Mini Remastered won't be cheap. You can probably find out more by contacting the firm. First deliveries are set to commence in winter 2017.