MINI-FINI, maker of some seriously cool upcoming official MINI accessories will soon be releasing the first decent MINI armrest. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at a prototype of the armrest lastnight and can say with confidence that it should go a long way in solving the missing armrest equation for many of us.

I was immediately impressed at the quality of the piece. The leather seems soft enough for comfort yet gives the impression it will be durable throughout the life of the car. The lifting mechanism seems very bulletproof – definitely engineered to last the life of the car.

The entire piece is secured very well into the rear cup holder. I have yet to see an actual installation happen but I'm told it installs into exsisting points just under the cup holder. The entire armrest was very solid, totally confidence inspiring and is actually made in the US.

Overall I think this will be a hugely successful addition for those looking for a little more comfort while motoring.

Note: The photos show a prototype of the armrest – the final piece may be slightly altered.