2006 Special Editions Announced

Kurt Gillespie Jun 21st, 2005 Link

LOVE THE NEW STRIPES WHEN THERE IS A HOOD SCOOP!

PocketRobot Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Good move to keep people buying before the ’07s are available. I’m not surprised that these are mostly chrome, paint and decals–engineering is obviously too busy with the ’07s to make any ral contributions to the ‘06 line-up.

Paul Mullett Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Hello,

Hope you don’t mind me posting I’ve taken time to download, edit, and upload all the Seven, Checkmate and Park Lane photos I could find to add to the press release over at MINI2 here:

http://www.mini2.com/news/news306.html

Not sure on the Grey, but the others look OK to me.

cct1 Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Great pictures–really like both the space blue and the royal grey. None of the packages work for me though–but as long as you spec these colors out without the packages, all will be well. I just hope you can get the silver roof without the checkmate package–I guess we’ll see. And the old style bonnet stripes in silver…But I’m sure those will be available aftermarket anyway.

Lawrence Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Those 17″ Flame spoke alloy rims look pretty darn nice! I also like the idea of a silver contrasting roof…

Gabe Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Hey Paul – you’re welcome to post here anytime. Thanks for grabbing all the pics and posting them on MINI2. I’d recommend everyone who wants to see more – check out MINI2.

slh Jun 21st, 2005 Link

question: What is the significance of the number seven and the cooper? It must be related to the original mini in some way but I’ve never been able to figure it out.

Frank Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I like the seats of the MC Park Lane model. Very classic looking.

Aside from cosmetics and new colors (That solar red still looks like Chili Red), nothing really special in terms of performance.

Also remember that Air Conditioning is optional equipment in UK market cars, so these special editions appear to be a big deal overthere.

I like the new bonnet stripes as well.

Josh Wardell Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Is that a 2-spoke steering wheel on the park lane?

Love the rims on the checkmate.

Thanks for the additional photos, Paul.

Sad we again won’t be seeing these in the US.

Paul Mullett Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Thanks Gabe.

While I’m here, slh, the Mini was launched as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor in 1959, so the Seven is a very historic reference. Checkmate was a 1990 Rover Ltd. Edition Mini, Park Lane was a 1987 Rover Ltd Edition.

In a way I find it nice they are referring to old names (like the new Clubman model too), but in another, I wish they’d be a bit more original.

Gabe Jun 21st, 2005 Link

In a way I find it nice they are referring to old names (like the new Clubman model too), but in another, I wish they’d be a bit more original.

I agree. It’ll be interesting to see how the option packages are dealt with in the US.

While I love the new silver roof, bonnet stripes, dark blue and those sweet seats in the Park Lane, I could do without the rest of it.

mini vanilli Jun 21st, 2005 Link

WOW, that blue looks GOOOOOOOOD!

blynch Jun 21st, 2005 Link

It looks like they have changed the look of the head lights again; if the Checkmate comes with xenon headlamps then they have gotten rid of the projector beam style lights…

Wraith Jun 21st, 2005 Link

i love the Solar Red and Space Blue. i’ve been hoping for a long time that there would be a metallic red available, and now it’s finally here. i’m willing to bet that SB/S is going to be a very very popular combo, they are just two colors that go very very well together.

Gabe Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Checkmate comes with xenon headlamps then they have gotten rid of the projector beam style lights…

I would chalk it up to that photo being of a pre-production model. MINI wouldn’t produce an projector style Xenon for one year and than regress… it would be quite a step back.

revwillie Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I’m starting to like RG/S

no more word on recaros?

David Bunting Jun 21st, 2005 Link

blynch: those appear to be the halogens. I would guess that the xenons spec was finalized after that photo was taken.

The only item I’m not too keen on is the check pattern treatment on the side of the checkmate. Otherwise they look great.

matt Jun 21st, 2005 Link

i like most of what’s going on with the checkmate, the notable exceptions being the graphics and the steering wheel, lukewarm on the alloys. love the sill plates though. gabe, i think i’ve come closer to solidifying my 06 order.

MrV Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I gotta say….. those wheels on the Checkmate look like someone welded a bunch of horse shoes together. Make them rust colored and they would like downright homey down on the ranch.

– Jay

James Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Observations – MINI One Seven:

*The black dash looks great. *There is a small storage hole instead of parcel shelf?

Observations – MINI Cooper Park Lane:

*The Royal Grey looks to be a bit darker than Dark Silver (but also metallic?). *The 16″ Bridge spoke alloy wheels look really good. *It has special Park Lane door sills. *It only mentions front foglights but shows the rear foglight in the photos.

Observations – MINI Cooper S Checkmate:

*Space Blue looks great, can’t wait to see it in person. *The 17″ Flame spoke alloy wheels look like the Web spoke wheels but much cleaner. *It has special Checkmate door sills. *It only mentions front foglights but shows the rear foglight in the photos.

I like the new style bonnet strips (but still not a fan of the mail slot). The Park Lane is the best of the three.

Gabe Jun 21st, 2005 Link

There is a small storage hole instead of parcel shelf?

That’s been available everywhere but the US market since ‘03. It takes the place of the parcel shelf if you get the glove box (which of course is standard in the US).

Mad brummie Jun 21st, 2005 Link

James, the rear foglight is standard on all cars in Britain it is law to ave one fitted so is just taken as given and not an option ;) hope this helps

i have to say all 3 look great :)

James K Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I love the space blue/silver combination and those new 17″ wheels. The seats in the Park Lane are retro-classy as well. Here’s to hoping sometime next year I can replace my ‘04 IB/B MCS with an ‘06 MCS with the blue, the silver roof, and the airbag-equipped Recaros.

Big shot Bob Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Gabe, That silver Rood and Mirrors sounds awesome….

‘Checkmate’ decals, silver rood and mirror caps, 3-spoke two-tone sports leather steering wheel

Puck Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I have to agree about the horseshoe wheels. Not the best I’ve seen.

The interiors, on the other hand, I think they did a great job on. Nice touches on the interior of the 7. I’d love to check out those seats in person. Are those already available and I’m just out of date? My 2004 has the saggy, baggy sports seats.

I’m surprised at how nicely the little dash decal looks on the 7 also. I had always thought anything there would just make the dash look too cluttered.

I have to say, however, that the idea of “special edition” MINI’s seems a little bit off to me. With the list of personal touches available every single MINI that comes off the line is a special edition. I still have yet to find anyone with exactly the same spec as me.

ajigel Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Nice. I like the new bonnet stripe, and the Royal Grey looks NICE. Also, definitely feeling the 7’s wheels.

Ricky D Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I agree with Kurt. Those new bonnet stripes are definately one of the first options I’m getting if they travel across The Pond.

David Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I like the colors, but still prefer Dark Silver to Royal Grey. To me, those Checkmate wheels look like a midway point to the creation of the web-spoke design. They’re not for me.

O(=^=)O Capn Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Love the colors, SB is for me! I really like the interior of the Checkmate. I hope it makes it’s way over here, but I still would take the recaros over it though. Lay off the wheels, they’ll probably give you luck X20! I’d take them.

But my only question is what does the U on the hood stand for? lol Is it german? Ubersomething?

TJKonarski Jun 21st, 2005 Link

The Checkmate wheels look to me like horseshoes.

Pete/MyMini Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Those Park Lane seats remind me of the Wood and Pickett specials from the 60’s. Very natty!

Pete

Gabe Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Not sure if anyone noticed it but if you look at the interior pic of the MINI One Seven you can clearly see the elusive anthracite tach ring.

Seth L Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I really like the cloth and dash combination on the Seven also the wheels on the checkmate.

Is there an estimate when the 2006 pricing and options will be announced for the US?

COOPR SS Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I find it interesting that if these are supposed to be UK spec cars, why are they all left hand drive????????

Bill

Gabe Jun 21st, 2005 Link

That’s because to all brand-wide photography is most likely taken care of by the mother-ship in Munich. These photos will serve all markets that offer these editions. My guess is that this will be almost the entire world except for the US.

Bluesclera Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Anyone know what kind of seats are in the Park Lane? are these the rumored Recaro sport seats?

Greg W Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I’m looking forward to the Riley Elf, Wolseley Hornet and Vanden Plas versions. Seems nostalgia and retro-thinking is being used by MINI marketing boffins. Where is the interior woodgrain finish on the Park Lane version.

Greg W Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I’m looking forward to the Riley Elf, Wolseley Hornet, and Vanden Plas versions. Seems retro and nostalgia is being used by MINI marketing boffins.

Melanie Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Ugh. The only thing I like are the seats in the Park Lane – remind me of the seats in my ‘68 Triumph. Hate the bonnet “stripe” and the colors or OK, no great shakes.
The wheels on the Checkmate are ugly, they do look like a bunch of horseshoes put together, all right, but no “Yeeee hah” here, I’m afraid.

Rollin Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Is the Delta spoke wheel on the Seven the replacement for the 15″ holey’s? Can you surmise it will be the standard wheel on the Cooper or one of the other 15’s?

Kevin Jun 21st, 2005 Link

I really hope they’re not bringing back that 2-spoke steering wheel that appears to be on all 3 special editions. I much prefer the 3-spoke wheel I’ve seen on the 2005 US market models. Is the 2-spoke wheel still used in Europe?

Gabe Jun 21st, 2005 Link

The 2-spoke is still available outside the US. It will almost assuredly not be coming back to the US market.

Kevin Jun 21st, 2005 Link

Thanks, Gabe. Like Rollin, I am also curious to know if the Delta wheels from the Seven will be replacing the 15″ 7-hole wheels here in the U.S.

Volkan Jun 22nd, 2005 Link

I for one like the 2-spoke steering wheel and the button placement for volume and track control. Never liked the “nintendo” buttons on the 3-spoke… I wish there was an option for US buyers to still have the 2-spoke (at least for my next MINI).

Ralph Jun 22nd, 2005 Link

“The 2-spoke is still available outside the US. It will almost assuredly not be coming back to the US market.”

Gabe I can’t understand why the 2-spoke won’t be available in the US? When I was looking to buy the 2004 Mini, I wanted to see the 3-spoke. The dealers here in the San Francisco Bay Area told me that hardly anyone was ordering the 3-spoke. The perfered the 2-spoke steering wheel. I’m glad I got mine with the 2-spoke.

I really like the Mini Park Lane Rims, very nice. I also like the Mini One Seven Rims, but my choice would be for the Park Lane Rims. I love the Royal Grey Paint. If the Royal Grey Metallic Paint, Park Lane Rims, and the 2-spoke Steering wheel all became available in the US for the Non S Cooper, I would think about trading my 2004 Mini for a 2006.

Ralph Jun 22nd, 2005 Link

Gabe, Sorry about the bold. I put it in quotation marks. Didn’t mean for it to be in bold. Sorry. Couldn’t figue out how to make it appear in italics.

blalor Jun 22nd, 2005 Link

I for one like the 2-spoke steering wheel and the button placement for volume and track control. Never liked the “nintendo” buttons on the 3-spoke… I wish there was an option for US buyers to still have the 2-spoke (at least for my next MINI).

I do like the placement of the controls on the pre-’05 MFSWs, but I prefer the look of the 3-spoke wheels on my ‘05. A combination of the two would be nice. :-)

nervous Jun 22nd, 2005 Link

I’m with Volkan & Ralph – When ordering my ‘06, I wish that I could transfer my ‘03 steering wheel. The 3-spoke wheel looks cheap.

blalor Jun 22nd, 2005 Link

Hrm. The interior shot of the Seven shows no toggles. What’s up with that?

Alex Jun 22nd, 2005 Link

Are the current bonnet stripes being replaced by this new style, or will we have two options?

Rodney Jun 23rd, 2005 Link

I love the new seats but wish they would use the fake leather. Am I the only one? I love my leatherette (sp?) It’s awesome they still look brand new and in my opinion are much more durable and grip better than real leather. I just wish we had more fake leather options instead of just black…

My 2007 will be fully optioned to the hilt with fake leather! :)

MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile 2005 in Review Dec 30th, 2005 Link

[...] 9. 2006 Special Editions Announced [...]

AUSmotive.com » MINI plans new GP and 50th anniversary models Jan 16th, 2009 Link

[...] MINI will be making two 50th anniversary models in 2010. Likely to be similar in specification to previous special editions, such as the Checkmate and Park Lane, the 50th anniversary MINIs will be available in unique, model [...]