MF Exclusive: Rolls Royce Creating Limited Edition MINI

Timothy May 26th, 2009 Link

At first I thought, “What are they smoking in Bavaria?” Then, on reflection…well, I still think that.

But it should be noted that the idea of a ridiculously luxurious small “touring” car isn’t necessarily completely bonkers. In its own way Ford is heading in the same direction with the Lincoln C concept, for example. (Yes, I know Lincoln and Rolls are not quite in the same league.)

China might buy a few Rolls-MINIs — it would be the sort of thing certain wealthy Chinese would like to show off — so I wonder if that’s the particular target country BMW has in mind for such an odd brand fusion. It’s a very strange (and very big) auto market, where Buick is one of the strongest luxury brands.

Reply

Marcus Linney May 26th, 2009 Link

Good news for options junkies (or bad news financially speaking) I’d like a leather or dashboard, proper solid chrome air vents and the starlight headlining in my next MINI!

Reply

Jack Mosher May 26th, 2009 Link

It’s a bizarre marriage, that’s for sure- but I think it’s for the better. Rolls can do some incredible things with equally incredible materials and craftsmanship. Bringing that to the MINI adds an air of extreme sophistication, and it brings a unique flavor to the car. Now, you can go in truly any direction with a new car- sporty performance, budget-friendly, or supreme luxury, and all 100% “You-ified” by the owner. If MINI is to remain a “premium brand”, what better way to do it than this?

I will be VERY interested to see what comes of this partnership. To be honest, it sucks that they’re not developing for the R53 too!

Reply

Bor May 26th, 2009 Link

well, the cream-wood dash on the last couple of shots looks just like my MINI’s :–D and yeah, that starliner looks very cool

Reply

Nathan May 26th, 2009 Link

Motoring in a MINI does often fill me with the spirit of ecstasy, so does this mean I can have one raise from the bonnet as well?

Wonder if the turbulence is good for the airflow over the I/C.

Reply

mike May 26th, 2009 Link

meh.

Reply

goat May 26th, 2009 Link

This is pretty neat news – weird for sure, but neat. A bespoke interior is something a lot of enthusiast owners do anyway… having another option to distinguish one MINI from another, as well as increase the visual and tactile quality of some of the interior materials is appealing. Hopefully they won’t overemphasize the Rolls Royce brand, which can regrettably conjure up tacky overt displays of wealth (it wasn’t always this way with RR, but RR models released under BMW’s stewardship are not exactly “quietly lovely” designs). At the least, it’s a talking point that will generate significant press and is in keeping with MINI’s brand values of offering a “premium compact”. Now just need to shore up the “sport” part of the brand as this seems to have been neglected a bit in recent years.

Reply

that.guy May 26th, 2009 Link

These will sell well in Dubai as childrens’ toys.

Reply

Dr Obnxs May 26th, 2009 Link

Here’s another possible take. The RR crew is good at designing limited production runs, and Mini likes to sell limited production runs. BMW owns both, so why not keep the RR crew busy and the MINI crews focused on the high volume stuff?

Really, the success or failure of this has less to do with who does the designing, than what is designed. If we get more $50k Minis with nothing more than an interior re-do, the market will speak, and the sound will not be good. If we get some realy unique offerings at a good price point, everyone will be happy.

Matt

Reply

Steve S May 26th, 2009 Link

Something to make Mini’s even more expensive…

Well kudos for providing more customization if nothing else. I dont see many people ordering these.

Reply

JonPD May 26th, 2009 Link

Fantastic idea to me, since a performance car is less likely to come from Mini the idea of a coachbuilt Mini would work well. I for one would be very interesting to see what they come up with. If RR could just bring up the fit and finish quality of the Mini it would be worth it.

Reply

JP May 26th, 2009 Link

I suspect that RR will provide more bits-and-pieces similar to those from JCW. Instead of plastic carbon fiber, look for leather and more wood. It proves once again that there is more money to be made from specialty bits than building a better car. Oh yes, don’t forget caps, sweaters, and even socks with bespoke labels.

Reply

C4 May 26th, 2009 Link

This appeals to the “Imelda Marcos” types that have to have top grain leathers, designer dashboards/seats and loads of useless, overpriced junk that add nothing to the performance of the car.

I think weed has become the smoke of choice up in Munich.

Reply

AN May 26th, 2009 Link

All of a sudden the 50K JCW 50 looks reasonably priced.

Reply

Haemish Edgerton May 26th, 2009 Link

Well, this is one “special edition” MINI that I totally expect to come with the base suspension… or perhaps a special-edition super-soft one. :-P

Another angle to consider – making a RR version of a MINI helps to make just a bit more British, don’t you think? I wonder what the BMW-hating classic Mini-owners will say about a RR-inspired new MINI? Are they still going to pan it as “not really British”?

Who am I kidding – of course they are. (rolling eyes)

Reply

Rolls-Royce to build special edition Minis? | Adult Business Online May 26th, 2009 Link

[...] price of some other special edition Minis, well, be prepared to pay a lot of money. [Source: MotoringFile | Image: Automoblog.net]Rolls-Royce to build special edition Minis? originally appeared on Autoblog [...]

Category Coupes | Rolls-Royce to build special edition Minis? May 26th, 2009 Link

[...] MotoringFile | Image: [...]

Rolls-Royce to build special edition Minis? | Automobile.asia May 26th, 2009 Link

[...] price of some other special edition Minis, well, be prepared to pay a lot of money. [Source: MotoringFile | Image: Automoblog.net]Rolls-Royce to build special edition Minis? originally appeared on Autoblog [...]

viley May 26th, 2009 Link

I think its interesting an quirky personally. Adds more weird personality to the MINI. A bit over the top? Yes. But then again so are white roofs in my opinion.

Reply

Seth L May 26th, 2009 Link

The Chrysler TC by Maserati was the first thing that popped into my mind.

Of course, that car was mostly crap to start with, but still, I applaud mini for the decision, and look forward to parking a MINI by RR next to a Porsche 924 in the disastrous crossover section of my dream garage.

Reply

Rolls-Royce to build special edition Minis? | SG4D Information Center May 26th, 2009 Link

[...] MotoringFile | Image: [...]

Des équipements exclusifs Rolls Royce pour la Mini ? | Euroxis May 27th, 2009 Link

[...] en croire le site Motoring Files, spécialiste de la petite anglo-saxonne, ces options pourraient être combinées dans des packs [...]

Mini: Rolls-Royce realizzerà una linea accessori | commenta i motori, le automobili, le moto, gli accessori May 27th, 2009 Link

[...] al solo 2009, anno di festeggiamenti per il brand Mini. Tacendo sul discorso prezzi… Via | Motoring File (Grazie al nostro lettore “Bugatti&91” per la [...]

MotoringFile » Archive » Autocar Reports that the Rolls Royce MINI is a Go Jun 17th, 2009 Link

[...] + MF Exclusive: Rolls to Create Special Edition MINI / MotoringFile [...]

MotoringFile » Archive » Rolls Royce MINI Confirmed? Nov 19th, 2009 Link

[...] MINI Rolls Royce edition that we exclusively scooped last summer has reportedly been green lit according to [...]