World Premier: The MINI Goodwood
After more than two years of rumors MINI has finally taken the wraps off of the MINI Rolls Royce collaboration: the MINI Goodwood. The concept is simple; bring Rolls Royce levels of refinement and luxury to a package that is much more space and energy efficient. In total 1000 cars will be made.
Officially called the MINI Inspired by Goodwood (who actually will call it that we have no idea) the car has been thoroughly reworked by Rolls Royce Design to create the most luxurious and opulent MINI ever conceived. Basically if you want leather, wood and plush carpet like no other, you’ve found your MINI.
Interestingly it’s also the first time we’ve seen a Cooper S without the non-functional hood-scoop.
Pricing will be available closer to launch (later this year) but we can safely assume, if you have to ask, you can’t afford. We’ll have much more on the Goodwood in the coming days. Until then read on for the full press release. (Full gallery after the break)
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Official Release: The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, which will make its world debut at the Auto Shanghai 2011, is an exclusive special edition that adds another layer to the MINI brand experience with a generous dose of automotive luxury and exclusivity in its highest form.
Close collaboration with the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design team at the development center of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England has produced a limited-run special edition MINI, whose exterior and interior design is inspired by fine materials and the British luxury car marque’s commitment to absolutely flawless workmanship.
The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, which will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, combines typical MINI driving fun with discerning craftsmanship, select materials and a styling marked by typical British understatement of the world’s leading producer of luxury automobiles. Deliveries of the 2012 model year vehicle, which will launch as part of the exclusive MINI Yours product line, are scheduled to start in spring 2012.
The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is characterized by top-grade materials, the highest level of workmanship and stylish supremacy. The special edition of the MINI Hardtop was built under the guidance of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars designer team and transfers the unmistakable style of the British luxury car manufacturer to the equally unique MINI, an original within the premium small car segment.
The exterior and interior design from the MINI Yours range: fascinating charisma and incomparable high-quality ambience.
As the first premium model in the small car segment, MINI has been a genuine trailblazer, the unsurpassed scope of its equipment features and accessories allowing it to meet the most varied requirements. And now MINI fans can express their appreciation of exclusive individuality, eye for stylish elegance and penchant for uncompromising premium quality with even greater sophistication.
Inside the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, a harmonious color concept, selected materials and a production quality characterized by precise craftsmanship guarantee the highest degree of well-being and comfort.
The dashboard, including the surrounds of the central instrument and the air vents, the center console, carpet surfaces, the Lounge leather seats, the roof lining as well as the door, side and body pillar cladding boast the exclusive Rolls-Royce color Cornsilk, a warm and natural shade of beige. Only the upper section of the instrument panel, which is lined with extremely high-quality, soft full-grain leather, is in black.
The dashboard and door handle surfaces are manufactured in Goodwood and finished in Walnut Burr, a wood quality also exclusive to Rolls-Royce. The black nappa leather dashboard top, Tipped Leather Cornsilk door linings as well as Piano Black surface finishes for the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel and the controls below the central instrument all provide additional quality-enhancing accents. These veneers are selected at the Goodwood factory exclusively for the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, and the matching black dials for the speedometer and rev counter bear the same typeface as their Rolls-Royce counterparts.
Two of the most striking features of the exterior design are the body finish in the exclusive Rolls-Royce color Diamond Black metallic and 17-inch light alloy wheels sporting a multi-spoke design. Alternatively, the MINI color variant Reef Blue metallic can be specified as an option.
The chosen paint shade is also used for the exterior mirror caps and roof spoiler of the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD. The exclusivity of the special-edition model is also reflected in its body design. The car’s front and rear apron are the same as those found on the MINI Cooper S, but are combined with the bonnet from the MINI Cooper D. Rather than carrying over the air scoop of the MINI Cooper S, it boasts a harmoniously flowing surface which underlines the stylishly elegant appearance of the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD.
There are also high-class aluminum badges stamped with the lettering “MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD†on the side indicator surrounds above the front wheel arches and on the door sills. Another badge, also featuring the legend “One of 1000â€, can be found on the centre console in front of the gearshift lever (or selector lever, if the automatic gearbox is specified).
Beyond the signature features of the special-edition model, the standard equipment fitted in the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD also meets the highest expectations of a premium car. The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD’s range of high-quality equipment offered as standard also includes Xenon Adaptive Headlights, Park Distance Control, automatic air conditioning, an onboard computer and the audio system Radio MINI Visual Boost, which includes the Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system.
Twin-scroll turbocharged engine delivers customary MINI driving fun.
The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is powered by a turbocharged l.6-liter four-cylinder engine that was featured for the first time in the 2011 MINI Cooper S. The MINI Cooper S engine ensures that the hallmark MINI driving fun and imposing power reserves are available on tap. The engine includes a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve control.
The 1.6-liter drive unit generates 181 hp and maximum torque of 240 Newton meters (177 lb-ft), which can be raised to 260 Newton meters (192 lb-ft) using the Overboost function.
The most efficient engine in its displacement class combines its outstanding power development with exceptionally low fuel consumption and emissions figures. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is all over in 6.6 seconds, while its EPA fuel economy ratings are 35 mpg highway / 27 mpg city / 30 mpg combined (manual transmission). As an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox, the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD can also be ordered as an option with a six-speed automatic.
Inspired by Goodwood, built in Oxford.
The exterior and interior features specially developed for the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD embody the inimitable style of Rolls-Royce Design. From the initial inspiration, the selection of materials and the detailed preparation of the color concept, to the fine-tuning of the production process to ensure unimpeachable quality standards, the entire development process in Goodwood was carried out in close collaboration with the MINI plant in Oxford and the BMW Group’s development center in Munich.
The special-edition car will be built at the Oxford MINI plant, where the MINI Hardtop, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible are also produced for the global market.
Bred from the finest of stock: The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD.
The British origins of the two brands, their shared belief in meeting the individual needs and desires of their customers, and the creative pooling of ideas between the various brands at BMW Group Design provided the fuel for the collaboration between Rolls-Royce and MINI. At the Rolls-Royce headquarters in Goodwood, southern England, Rolls-Royce interior designer Alan Sheppard has overseen the emergence of a MINI which reproduces the hallmark majestic allure of the historic luxury brand and an interior ambience born of exquisite materials and outstanding workmanship in a representative of the small car community for the first time.
The exclusive status of the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is rooted in a materials and color concept which reflects the unmistakable and globally unique Rolls-Royce style not only in its individual component parts, but also in the configuration put together for the special-edition model.
<p>It’s nice but I would have preferred if they did some change in design, not just replacing materials.</p>
<p>how did you insert your photo using the new posting system? Thanks</p>
<p>I wouldnt wat any more changes done to the mini design as i think they have messed it about as it is they are taking the fun out of the mini although the outer design changes have been subtle ,to me i describe it as being labotimised it used to have a sleekness and sporty look about it the bonnet no longer as that hint of excitment now they have an almost morris minor bull nose front about it
Ally</p>
<p>All that, and no manual transmission. Shame. ;-)</p>
<p>I would also like to add that I would cry the moment those carpets got dirty..</p>
<p>Anyone want to guess at the price?</p>
<p>I hear $41,000 US Starting, and my question is is it a softer ride and is it luxuriously quiet inside?</p>
<p>Good job guys, not a car for me but think its a nice looking interior.</p>
<p>I want to let people know I was correct about the floor matts being Wool, infact they are direct to the rolls royce phatom. Except smaller.</p>
<p>You can look at my post back on the rumor RR MINI.</p>
<p>Did not know they would go with a tweed headliner, I thought it would also be leather.</p>
<p>I guess price at 37, 000. But that might be too low.
I know how much the matts will be. Just look at the RR pricing catalogue.</p>
<p>Anyone who know Rolls, would not find any surprises here.</p>
<p>Thanks for letting us know you were right.</p>
<p>Except it’s cashmere headlining, not tweed & the mats should be less expensive as they are smaller (?)</p>
<p>Should , but RR is know for charging by the foot.</p>
<p>No–by the fool!</p>
<p>they charge by the foot ,,,, mmmm more like an arm and a leg</p>
<p>Thanks for letting us know you were right.</p>
<p>I agree, just replacing material is a bit over.</p>
<p>I’m guessing $55-65K range</p>
<p>I like it, but have the RR engineers done anything to cure the rattles</p>
<p>I love light coloured interiors, but there is too much of it going on there!</p>
<p>You’d think with all the luxury there would be some attention to detail and they’d get rid of things like orange bulbs behind those clear lenses</p>
<p>You’d think with all the luxury there would be some attention to detail and they’d get rid of things like orange bulbs behind those clear lenses</p>
<p>I don’t see the purpose of the collaboration and the result seems contrived even with so much premeditation. If the brands weren’t subsidiaries this would have never happened. This project ended with the opulent, ill-conceived interior. Full cashmere roof liner but no sunroof? With on avg. just over 1,000 Rolls Royce being produced a year, why are they making 1000 of these?! Aston Martin//Cygnet and Ferrari/Fiat are way better executed.</p>
<p>At least they didn’t call it an Aston Martin, I mean Rolls-Royce.
I really hate badge engineering like this… it leaves a bad taste. And smell. (unless your sitting inside the thing). So when is the WRX car going be made “street-legal?”</p>
<p>notable that its not the cooper hood, but the cooper d hood</p>
<p>It is strange that there is no sunroof. Optional maybe?</p>
<p>See, even on the Rolls-Royce MINI the JCW Aero kit is not standard. So is this going to be marketed to the kids of super rich people as a first car?</p>
<p>I still think that having much of the interior wrapped in leather makes it looked puffy and yes, how hard would it be to keep that carpet clean?</p>
<p>I expected… more.
Replacing plastic with leather, great, all for that, wish it was a standard option in general. The walnut is lovely, wish that was an option in regular Mini’s, I got the oak myself which is pretty nice.
Dunno, I just thought it was going to be a bit more “bespoke” maybe, even a baby “spirit of ecstacy” on the hood as a nod to RR?!</p>
<p>Shanghai show is a good move … loaded Asians will eat this up.</p>
<p>This marks another milestone opportunity for another Geely permutation!</p>
<p>The think the interior execution is praiseworthy, but as mentioned, the exterior should have also been distinctively refined beyond removal of faux hood scoop. Fundamentally, as noteworthy as this revision may be, I do not think it correlates whatsoever with the legendary MINI design philosophy since it fails to underscore the design efficiency and performance that its creator intended. MINI design should be the antithesis of opulence. The GP is perhaps the best example.</p>
<p>As a design exercise and marketing experiment it may arguably deserve plaudits. Beyond that, it represents a semi-creative attempt to exploit the sensibilities of the wealthy wherein image is the Holy Grail and the common sense of “Everyman” has little value. Excessive Consumption Writ Large that may make Lady Ecstasy blush and embarrass authentic MINI enthusiasts. God Save MINI … and then Save The Queen!</p>
<p>while every word you spoke is english.. taken together I couldn’t understand any of them. lol</p>
<p>I beg to differ… I always look forward to HarryDill’s posts… there is eggy truth wrapped in bacony wit in every line… I would go so far as to say HarryDill speaks in pronouncements, punctuated by annunciatory trumpet blasts. :)</p>
<p>Indeed!</p>
<p>Goat: Please make that “heraldic” trumpet blasts ;)</p>
<p>Looks nice, but pricey. What would be nicer is if Mini would release a WRC edition Cooper S with 300hp+.</p>
<p>Yes, performance should reign supreme above opulence and ostentation. There are luxury cars and there are performance cars. That is not to imply that the MINI should not provide some measure of creature comfort, but trying to make it something that it was not intended to be is more than anything else hilarious and tantamount to converting a Rolls into a sport car and equally hilarious.</p>
<p>I like the black dials for the speedometer and rev counter. Will we be able to order those parts for orther cars?</p>
<p>BRAVO on the decision to get rid of the fake bonnet scoop. If I was ever to buy a 2nd Gen S (or JCW), I would seriously look into transplanting a non-scoop bonnet onto it. No “fake, just for show” please!</p>
<p>Agree. I must say that the “S” look of the bonnet car is not tarnished by removing the scoop. This may be in the cards for future MINIs anyway. It looks better that I expected.</p>
<p>HOTNESS!!!!</p>
<p>HOTNESS!!!!</p>
<p>Not my cup of tea…go for it if it suits you though….I love MINI in general. :)</p>
<p>Not my cup of tea…go for it if it suits you though….I love MINI in general. :)</p>
<p>Nothing new about a luxury MINI. We had the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet versions with the old car. Then there were the Radford Minis that each of the Beatles owned. Other BMC models had Vanden Plas versions which were faux Rolls-Royces versions of basic cars.
At leaste the old versions were marketed with alternate names – Riley, Wolseley, Vanden Plas.</p>
<p>Perhaps the design could have gone significantly further by transforming the Clubman into a bespoke Sterling Estate Wagon replete with a well-stocked bar, wicker picnic basket, and at least one suicide door to accommodate passengers overcome by the sheer magnitude of design overkill. Add a dashing hood ornament and voila! … we will hear the chorale lamentation chime, Oh how I miss my 2CV!</p>
<p>Can someone please tell me how to insert an image? Thank you.</p>
<p>As Trpaulk asks, my biggest question is are the upgrades more than cosmetic? Does it have a more luxurious ride and a much quieter interior than a regular MINI? If it does, I’d be tempted to get it.</p>