MF Exclusive: Rolls Royce Creating Limited Edition MINI
Rolls Royce is getting into the coach building business in the least likely way. Several highly reliable sources have told us that the company that brought us the opulant luxury of the Phantom and the Drop-Head coupe is going to be creating a special edition MINI (based on a series of exterior and interior modifications) to be available straight from the Oxford plant. The limited edition model will consist of bespoke interior items including custom dash, headliner and other signature Rolls items. The exterior color will be Ming Blue (first used by Rolls in 1992 on a special 25th anniversary Rolls-Royce Corniche IV of which only 25 were produced). These special edition MINIs will be extremely limited and, while we can’t currently confirm, the special model will likely cost in excess of $50,000.
It’s not hard to imagine what Rolls could do with the MINI by looking at their latest creation the Silver Ghost. And to some degree it makes sense with both MINI and Rolls being owned by BMW AG. However, how all of this is marketed will be the big question.
If you are interested (at least in the idea) let you dealers know as MINI has instructed them to start taking names and deposits for the very first cars with the Rolls name attached to them. Look for more on this ultra luxury edition of the MINI over the next few days and weeks as we
Rolls Royce Interior Design Gallery
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<p>At first I thought, “What are they smoking in Bavaria?” Then, on reflection…well, I still think that.</p>
<p>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.)</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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!</p>
<p>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?</p>
<p>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!</p>
<p>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</p>
<p>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?</p>
<p>Wonder if the turbulence is good for the airflow over the I/C.</p>
<p>meh.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>These will sell well in Dubai as childrens’ toys.</p>
<p>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?</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>Something to make Mini’s even more expensive…</p>
<p>Well kudos for providing more customization if nothing else. I dont see many people ordering these.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>I think weed has become the smoke of choice up in Munich.</p>
<p>All of a sudden the 50K JCW 50 looks reasonably priced.</p>
<p>Well, this is one “special edition” MINI that I totally <strong>expect</strong> to come with the base suspension… or perhaps a special-edition super-soft one. :-P</p>
<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”?</p>
<p>Who am I kidding – of course they are. (rolling eyes)</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The Chrysler TC by Maserati was the first thing that popped into my mind.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>By bringing an RR MINI, BMW/MINI are targeting a new group of buyers above their average buyers. Great for commercial reasons (for those who can/will affort it ) and keeping their buyers range as wide as possible. But for the 99% who love the car for its looks and sportiness and tunning options this RR MINI will become more of a show off car by their owners then a car bought with and for passion.</p>