MF Exclusive: MINI 50th Anniversary Special Edition Models Revealed
As we’ve reported previously MINI will be debuting two special edition models in May this year at MINI United in Silverstone England. But now we have details on the names and the specification:
– Mayfair: Hot Chocolate body color with unique wheels, interior trim and badges
– Camden: Silver White (R52 Sidewalk color) with unique wheels, interior trim and badges
Like the 2006 special edition MINIs, don’t expect any mechanical differences under the hood. Instead look for these to send out the R56 out in style before it’s mid life-cycle refresh either late this year or early next.
We’ll have much more in the weeks ahead. And look for a full debut at Silverstone in May at MINI United.
<p>Thanks for the update!! I’m interested to see those unique wheels! And what is the history behind the name Camden? Was it also an Austin model like the Mayfair?</p>
<p>i really like the silver white color of the R52 sidewalk.</p>
<p>That silver-white is indeed a very rich colour. And sounds like the really exciting news is just a bit down the road… looking forward to hearing more about the coming mid-cycle refresh of the R56.</p>
<p>Soooooooooo, are they talking about a HotChocolate Hatch? What happened to the Clubby Woody?</p>
<p>Zzzzzz…</p>
<p>I really like the Silver White. Hopefully the badging is subtle or easily removable. Will it be available on the Clubman too?</p>
<p>Also waiting for the 2010 refresh news…. Interior updates hopefully!</p>
<p>I can’t wait for the re-fresh! It will go one of two ways, they change ALL the controls to look less like the current, with a stereo that is not integrated into the speedo… not likely.</p>
<p>I have come to love the interior of the R56, 55, 57. Yes, it is not my R53 but it has some real possibilities for customization in places that the R50, 52, 53 did not have.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, the re-fresh to the first gen MINI cars was less about looks than it was about mechanicals, that is what made the late 04-06 MINIs the great cars that they are today and less about the 3 piece dash and other MINOR interior bits.</p>
<p>This is my $.02 and I could be wrong but only time will tell.</p>
<p>If the refresh is anything like the 2005 deal, the interior won’t change much. In 05 they added the colored (3-piece) dash, the chrono pack option, anthracite headliner option, armrest option and (if I remember right) the lounge leather interior option. Most of that seemed to come about because of the then-new convertible, though.</p>
<p>Special-paint editions for the 50th? Ho-hum. I’ve said it before: Make one in Alpine White and you’ll get at least a few people excited.</p>
<p>Special wheels? Hooray if they are some sort of forged BBS wheels or something like Nissan has been getting from Rays, but if they’re just new overweight, overstyled wheels then ho-hum again.</p>
<p>In response to lilcoopr, the Camden was never a version of the Austin Mini, like the Mayfair, Picadilly and so many others, but rather “another” area of London that ‘asn’t ‘ad its name on a MINI yet! Camden is an area of London famous for its street market, so “streetwise” would possibly be the theme behind this special edition, just as the old Mayfair was “plush” (it had velour sets – wow) although you can’t go too much on the name, ‘cos the Picadilly was gold with beige and brown interior, with no flashing neon lights whatsoever!!!</p>
<p>I will be happy to see these cars.</p>
<p>Think what would have been even better however would be if they could have made a sports model and a luxury model. Two main keys to Mini’s history was the racing heritage and the custom coach building. I think it would have be an awesome way to celebrate the 50 years of Mini.</p>
<p>I love the silver/white. A brown car is the worst idea ever.</p>
<p>I think you’re fooling yourself if you think they’re going to be refreshing the interior controls/dashboard layout.</p>
<p>Gabe said interior trim, which to me means specially painted or finished trim panels that are one-of-a-kind for these models. You’re likely reading too much into it if you think they’re going to fix what many complain about regarding the radio volume knob or the cheesy/plasticky playskool HVAC control dials.</p>
<p>jon – I don’t think anyone is expecting the 50th Anniversary Special Edition models to have dramatic changes to the interior layout, HVAC plastics, or stereo.</p>
<p>But the comments people are making about a revised interior concern the news about the mid-cycle refresh, coming later this year/early next year and surely to bring a restyled dash to address the most consistent criticism of the R56.</p>
<p>I doubt we will see any dramatic interior changes during the refresh. Overall design is likely to stay fairly consistent. I would hope to be wrong on this however as I still never have got used to the R56 dash, just something about it reeks cheapness to me.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-255209" rel="nofollow">K</a>: Thanks K!! I didn’t realize they got the name from a part of London, but now it makes sense! And I have been to Camden market… There were quite a few MINIs in that area ;)</p>
<p>I really don’t understand all of the complaints regarding the dash and the interior. I know the ergonomics are not perfect but after a few days it is second nature. Otherwise, looking forward to see these new models and what Mini has up its sleeve for future products.</p>
<p>@JonPD – I think if you spend time in an R56 you’ll soon realise that the interior doesn’t feel “cheap” next to an R53 – quite the opposite actually. Clearly an upgrade in materials and weight/feel of the switch gear.</p>
<p>Is the refresh going to apply to the r57 also? Since they share the interior.</p>
<p>That LOGO is………… ;-(</p>
<p>So… the much anticipated 50th Anniversary will highlight 2 new color/wheel combos?</p>
<p>I have to agree: “Zzzzz….”</p>
<p>zzzzzzz is right. Unfortunately, whoever is running the show at Mini isn’t interested in doing something right, just as cheap as possible so to show a half ass effort.</p>
<p>If anyone think the interior will get refreshed they’re dreaming. Just start hoping for a third generation correction.</p>
<p>I’m afraid of what gen 3 might be. It will either win back the hardcores or lose them completely.</p>
<p>Please Mini, make something kick ass! Not cheap and PC.</p>
<p>Complete agreement Greg on the 3rd generation. I am scared however the BMW trend of bigger and heavier will come at us at full force.</p>
<p>I do have some hope for the refresh tweaking a few weak points, however I would be much happier for them to work out the many mechanical issues that have popped up with the R56 versus spending much money developing small design changes.</p>
<p>I am sure Mini choose this path as a lower cost option, however I have no doubt the 50th cars were designed before the economic meltdown. It also fits the rather lack luster Mini developments lately in my world view. A visually bland JCW with a laughable suspension, a SUV to compete with a very crowed market of very well established products. The 50th along with the JCW were both once in a lifetime products that I can’t help to feel that Mini really missed the mark on.</p>
<p>Still look forward to seeing the cars.</p>
<p>Hey Mini(if you listen) I have a suggestion for the refresh that you won’t even have to spend too much on. Fix the speedo!! Compared to the R53 it is DULL! Just put the KM in small numbers in between the MPH in larger numbers.</p>
<p>Or at least do this in the 3rd gen. Please!</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-255191" rel="nofollow">glangford</a>:</p>
<p>Be warned that this color is a nightmare to blend and spot repair. Proceed at your own risk.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-255290" rel="nofollow">greg</a>:</p>
<p>Dead right brother. I think MINI as of late, is being run by marketeers and bean counters that think they know what people want. This is called arrogance of the first degree. Listen up MINI. Go back to your damn roots. Yesterday I was going over old MINI sales literature from 2002-2003 and every time I open up those brochures I want to be transported back in time. Those 1st gen MINIs look so damn timeless and beautiful that you had no need to surround them with trickery to sell them and make them palatable. I miss those days when BMW had in MINI a jewel a damn well run car company experiment like no other seen in history.</p>
<p>And before Lavardera and company jump in here and accuse me of telling BMW how to run the show….This has nothing to do with that and much with giving them a much needed kick in the groin so they stop ruining the brand and the product.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-255231" rel="nofollow">Dylan Bland</a>:</p>
<p>I don’t agree completely with that. Some materials in the R56 are better (Door pulls and such) but others are about the same or cheaper. You can tell that MINI spend the coin manufacturing the R53. I don’t quite get the same feel from the second gen cars.</p>
<p>Yes I own both.</p>
<p>The 2005 facelift brought better performance to the Cooper S and a new manual gearbox for the Cooper models.</p>
<p>For 2010 I expect to see similar mechanical improvements and a 8-10HP power bump for the turbo models.</p>
<p>Does anybody know if these will be individually number like the GP and MC40…….or more like packages ala Sidewalk, Checkmate, etc???</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-255423" rel="nofollow">MikeJCW</a>: The latter.</p>
<p>No pictures from moment ?</p>