Mini’->ke57s history runs all the way back to 1959 when British Motor Corporation released the Morris Mini-Minor and the Austin Seven – two nearly identical models that offered “an unusually generous amount of space for passengers and luggage within a minimum surface area.” The current generation of the Mini Cooper and Cooper S is said to embody the latest version of this principal, so Mini has decided to announce a new special edition->ke2041 model that it believes can pay homage back to the days when the Austin Seven came to be. The special edition is offered on two- and four-door variants of the Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S, but don’t get too excited yet because there isn’t a whole lot to talk about.

In Short, the Mini Seven is nothing more than a Cooper or Cooper S->ke629 with a small selection of unique exterior colors, some new trim, and of course the old “Seven” name. That’s it. Mini isn’t offering any extra power, technology,->ke1701 or any weight savings. Be that as it may, we’ve decided to take a closer look at the Mini Seven anyway. So, grab yourself a soda, and take a little journey down the page with us as we discuss the Mini Seven and the little things it brings to the table.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Mini Seven.

2017 Mini Seven

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Mini Seven
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Manufacturers have been pretty lazy with their “special edition” and “limited edition” models these days, and the Mini Seven also falls into that category. The Seven is offered in four different exterior finishes. There’s Lapisluxury Blue, which is based on the color Ultramarine and – according to Mini – is regarded as the “blue of kings.” Other finishes include non-metallic Pepper White, Midnight Black metallic, and British Race Green metallic.

In addition to the colors available for the exterior, the Mini Seven also comes standard with 17-inch wheels that were designed specifically for the special edition. According to Mini, the two-tone design of the wheels “convey a solid, high-end impression.” 18-inch rollers in Vanity Spoke two-tone are also available as an option and are said to “perfectly match exterior features of the Mini Seven.” The wheels are finished in Spectra Grey.

As you can see from the images, there isn’t a whole lot else going on outside the vehicle. The car does feature a new body decal around the fender-mounted light. It is silver in color and features the word “Seven” as well as the number “7.” Outside of this, the exterior is normal Mini Material. The car has the same circular headlights, that wide mini grille with matching air dam below, and the chrome outlines around the grille and the air vents. Black cladding from either side of the air dam wraps around the front, goes over the wheel arches, and along the bottom of the vehicle. Surprisingly, Mini didn’t add the “Seven” name or “7” logo to the rear anywhere, so from the back, the car will look just like a Cooper or Cooper S.

Interior

On the inside, you also get the standard Mini interior afforded with the Cooper or Cooper S. In standard trim, the Mini Seven comes with sport seats in exclusive fabric and leather upholstery in Diamond Malt Brown with seams in the same color. Alternatives include Cross Punch Carbon Black leather, Lounge Satellite Grey leather, or Lounge Carbon Black leather. Furthermore, you can find the “Seven” logo can be found in Piano Black high gloss on various trim pieces, including the center console. Other interior styles like Dark Cottonwood, Fiber Alloy, and Off-White are also available as an option.

As with other Mini Cooper Models, the car can be equipped with “Color Line” from Mini Yours. With this option, color is applied to the outer air vents, vertical surrounds of the controls, and the armrests on the door panels. On the Seven, Malt Brown comes standard, but Carbon Black is available as an option. On the technology front, the Mini Seven comes standard with the Mini Connected infotainment system that boasts a 6.5-inch display screen, or an optional 8.8-inch display with navigation. In this image, the Mini Seven is equipped with the standard screen and the standard Malt Brown color line. Surprisingly, it actually contrasts nicely with the dark overall ambiance of the cabin.

Aside from the few interior enhancements, the inside of the Seven is pretty much the same as the standard Cooper or Cooper S. The same minimalist instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel and the infotainment system still has the ring surrounding it. I have to admit, though, with the color accenting and the leather/cloth seating design, the cabin is rather appealing, at least for a Mini anyway.

Drivetrain

As I mentioned before, there is nothing special to talk about in the drivetrain department. The Mini Seven comes with the standard engine offering for the Cooper or Cooper S. If you go with the standard Cooper Seven, you get a 1.5-liter three-cylinder that delivers 134 horsepower. Going with the Cooper S gets you the “spirited” 2.0-liter four-cylinder that delivers 189 horsepower. Both models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but the Cooper can be optioned with the six-speed Steptronic while the Cooper S can be equipped with the six-speed Steptronic Sports transmission.

Regardless of the engine or transmission selected, the is still said to have that “go-kart feeling,” thanks to the single-joint spring strut axle in the front and the multi-link setup in the rear. The car comes standard with electro-mechanical power steering and can be optioned with Dynamic Damper Control, which allows the shocks/dampers to be adjusted via the various driving modes.

On the safety side of things, the Seven comes standard with dynamic stability control, dynamic traction control, and electronic differential lock control. Cooper S models include Performance Control, which automatically counters any understeer. As always, the Cooper models include optimized deformation crumple zones, front and side airbags, side curtain airbags, driver and passenger knee airbags, three-point automatic seat belts, belt tensioners and force limiters, and ISOFIX child seat mountings in the rear. Furthermore, there is a decent list of driver assistance features that include heads-up display, rear-view camera, active cruise control, and speed limit sign detection, among other things.

Prices

At this point, Mini has remained quiet about the pricing of the Mini Seven. Considering it is an aesthetic package that doesn’t include any major upgrades, I wouldn’t expect to see too high of a premium. As of the time of this writing, the Cooper is going for $20,700 while the Cooper S is going for $24,100. That said, I would expect pricing for the Seven in Cooper form to retail for around $22,000 and $26,000 in Cooper S form. Pricing information will become available closer to market launch, so stay tuned for updates.

Competition

Fiat 500 Abarth

The Fiat 500 is technically a little smaller than the Cooper these days, but it’s still Mini’s longtime rival, so it wouldn’t make sense if we didn’t compare the two. To find something on par with the Mini Seven, you have to step up to the performance-oriented Abarth version of the 500. Even with the Abarth, it is still a little underpowered with maximum output from the 1.4-liter engine at 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. That kind of power pushes the Abarth up to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and up to a top speed of 129 mph. As of the time of this writing, the Fiat 500 Abarth starts out at $22,495 before options, taxes, and delivery.

Read our full review on the Fiat 500 Abarth here.

Conclusion

I’ve been pretty harsh on Mini in the past for sticking with the same overall design for each and every model. So, naturally, I want to rag on the brand for this special edition as well. In all reality, there isn’t really much that is special about it. Half of the colors and options are available on the standard Cooper or Cooper S through Mini Yours, and the brand did nothing on the drivetrain front to make the car itself special. The only thing all that special about it is the fact that it boasts the “Seven” name of its oldest ancestor.

The bottom line is, the automotive industry has been beating us to death with special editions that aren’t special, and the Seven is on the borderline of falling into that category. It does have some exclusive features, but I think Mini would have been better off if it had done a little something to improve output or give off a different ambiance from the car as a whole. That said, I’m still okay with this model as long as Mini doesn’t try to overcharge for it because it boasts the “Seven” name.