I've just found out some more information regarding the special edition MINI that is to be introduced February 4th at the Chicago Auto Show:

  • The Special Edition MINI will come only in Cooper S form and will be limited to at most 1000 cars.
  • The car is specific to the US market and won't be sold elsewhere.
  • The purpose of the car isn't to boost sales according to source. As was explained to me MINI simply felt that they'd be doing the brand a disservice if they didn't do something for the 40th anniversary of the first Monte Carlo Rally win.”
  • The car will have quite a few visual enhancements and overall a “tip of the hat” to the original Mini Cooper that won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964.”
  • The entire car came together quite quickly after the initial decision to go ahead and release an anniversary model.
  • It's being released at the Chicago Auto Show rather than Detroit simply because Chicago is considered more of a consumer show where as Detroit is really more of an industry show.