MINI USA is debuting it retro looking Ice Blue Edition at SEMA this week and is dropping some photography to give us a great look at this Gulf livery throwback. The color is returning only in special edition form and for a very limited production run of just a few weeks. Total production is expected to be less than 500 units total.
In many ways this another stab by MINI USA to put interesting, well composed (and well priced) cars on dealer lots. While the Gulf livery might be a bit much for some, we for one love the idea of this being in showrooms and on the roads. We also applaud the return of Ice Blue – one of all our time favorite colors. Now lets see if they can get Indie Blue back.
The package is also exclusive to the F56 two door hatch Cooper and Cooper S models. The special run will incorporate a number of popular options and a few accessories.
Ice Blue Exterior Paint Color: This quintessential British color, available for the first time on the current generation of the MINI 2-Door Hardtop, remains a highly sought after exterior color by existing MINI Owners.
Unique Accessories: Ice Blue Wheel Centre Caps for the Ice Blue Cooper 2-Door Hardtop. Bright Orange Wheel Centre Caps, Mirror Caps and a specially designed side stripe for the Ice Blue Cooper S.
Panoramic Sunroof: The expansive dual-pane sunroof, are a standard offering for both derivatives of the Ice Blue 2 Door Hardtop. 6-Speed Steptronic Automatic Transmission: The Automatic Transmission is standard on the Cooper Variant of the Ice Blue. The Cooper S comes standard with the Manual Transmission, with an optional Automatic Transmission (205) available.
Priced at 24,950 and 29,450 respectively, the Ice Blue special edition also represents a decent value. Now for the bad news. To streamline production MINI is only allowing a few extra options listed below.
<p>The retro looking Ice Blue Edition with its orange detailing, is reminiscent of the 1932 Nash Ambassador. Powered by a 125bhp version of Nash’s twin ignition 5.3 litre straight eight, it also featured a synchromesh gearbox, a luxurious interior and a presence sufficient for it to be legitimately compared with the high-luxury Duesenberg. Royalty were among its buyers, helping Nash to become one of only two car makers – GM was the other – to turn a profit in 1932 during the Great Depression. <a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/506b5a7e595710440d304c48c04e220cae32cf1cf11a0460252f5714a8c11d36.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/506b5a7e595710440d304c48c04e220cae32cf1cf11a0460252f5714a8c11d36.jpg</a></p>
<p>Great color but I’m kind of meh on the side stripe. I think the side scuttle panel would have been nicer, like the old Sidewalk editions.</p>
<p>It reminds me of the Gulf racing livery</p>