For all you eagerly anticipating the Checkmate Package in the US, here’s a bit more info that might be helpful when ordering. The package (code ZCM) will be available a number of colors on both the Cooper and the Cooper S and not just Space Blue as had been assumed by many. Here’s the rundown:
Cooper (R50):
Pepper White
Liquid Yellow
Astro Black
Hyper Blue
Solar Red
Royal Grey
Space Blue
Pure Silver
Cooper S (R53):
Pepper White
Astro Black
Hyper Blue
Royal Grey
Space Blue
Dark Silver
Pure Silver
Beyond the standard silver roof, mirrors and v-stype bonnet stripes, the Checkmate package will also be available with a black roof, mirrors and the more traditional black bonnet stripes. White stripes and mirrors will not be available.
The interior fittings (special steering wheel, leather/cloth seats, painted dash) are all included in the $2200 price tag. For more info on the Checkmate Package for the US market (and a list of all included options), check out this previous MotoringFile story.
The Checkmate Package will be available for US production starting in October.
<p>any word on whether the dash and steering wheel coordinate with the exterior color chosen?</p>
<p>Any word on special packages for the 2006 MCS convertible?</p>
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<p>Any word on special packages for the 2006 MCS convertible?</p>
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<p>This was mentioned a few times in early reports but some of you might have missed it – the Checkmate Package will not be available on the Convertible models. Further any of the special editions available outside the US will also not be available on the convertible MINI.</p>
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<p>any word on whether the dash and steering wheel coordinate with the exterior color chosen?</p>
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<p>No. I’m guessing the interior of the Checkmate Option will only come in blue.</p>
<p>When can we “build” a 2006 Mini on the MiniUSA website?</p>
<p>I wish i could do Hyper Blue with white roof and mirrors and the checkmate pkg</p>
<p>I have to agree I was hoping for white as well. But no BRG in there at all. =(</p>
<p>Electric Blau, Electric Blau, Bueller………….anybody???</p>
<p>No Checkmate available for Chili Red MINIs?</p>
<p>MINIUSA probably figured a blue interior with a red exterior might not be such a nice thing. Same with BRG.</p>
<p>Oh I see. I forgot about the blue interior.</p>
<p>They like to choose colors that go together, such as hot orange with dark blue.</p>
<p>I’m guessing if you want something to match the other colors there’s Cordoba or Tartan Red/Black. </p>
<p>Would be nice if the blue seats could be swapped for those maybe? </p>
<p>What model year did the red/black leather seats become available?</p>
<p>Gabe, this may have been mentioned before, but do you know if the silver roof will be available outside of the checkmate package? I’m assuming not, which is a major bummer. If you could substitute the seats/wheels, that would be ok too…Hopefully you can, as I doubt those horseshoe rims are going to be all that popular.</p>
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<p>do you know if the silver roof will be available outside of the checkmate package? I’m assuming not</p>
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<p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2005/07/15/2006_us_market_color_availability">Yes it will be available</a> as a stand-alone option.</p>
<p>This info is a off this post but I thought some might be interested. Autoweek has an article on the “Italian Job” rollercoaster in Cincinnati. Below is the link to the story. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102789" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102789</a></p>
<p>Here are a few excerpts: </p>
<p>“The new ride was open only to media, park officials, the Cincy Mini dealer staff and clubs, a politician and many ACE members.” </p>
<p>“Eventually we were seated in a Mini coaster car that looked like the new Mini, only smaller. Instantly, with whatever modern amusement park technology creates the equivalent of “shot out of a cannon,” we were flung forward.”</p>
<p>“as in the coaster ride, we realized the Mini was in complete control. And, as with the coaster ride, when it was over we wanted to do it again.”</p>
<p>After our two different rides, we have to agree with Mini fans: Literally or figuratively, it’s like riding on rails.”</p>
<p>I just got to say that you guys in the US seem to come out on top. Here in Holland, the Checkmate is only available in a very limited numer of colors. Other than that, sounds that you can get the silver roof with any other color (over here only combined with space blue). I am personally in the last stages of getting a Space Blue Checkmate ordered, but I would have loved to get Solar Red instead. But that can only be had on the Seven, over here.</p>
<p>Anyway, I’m not complaining, Space Blue is cool too. But you shouldn’t either ;)</p>
<p>yeah, here in canada, you can only seem to get a checkmate on the s. You can get silver roof seperatly tho, but only if you get the sport package. I would love those seats in the one im going to order, Hyper blue with either white or roof, cant make up my mind, if you can get the chackmate on a cooper, i dont have much of a choice, but that just makes one less decision to make!</p>