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. MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD 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 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.

Production of the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD – which celebrates its world premiere at the Auto Shanghai 2011 show – is restricted to 1,000 units. Deliveries of the model, which will launch as part of the exclusive MINI Yours product line, are scheduled to start in spring 2012.

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 colour 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.

Exclusive ambience created by harmonious colours, select materials and unbeatable workmanship.

In this way, the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD generates an interior ambience defined by stylistic harmony, masterful workmanship and British understatement. The dominant colour is the exclusive Rolls-Royce variant Corn Silk, a warm and natural shade of beige which washes over the instrument panel (including the Centre Speedo and air vent surrounds), centre console, carpet surfaces, seat upholstery, roof liner, and door, side and body pillar trim. Only the upper section of the instrument panel, which is lined with extremely high-quality, soft full-grain leather, is in black.

The surface of the instrument panel and door pulls boasts a Walnut Burr finish likewise exclusive to Rolls-Royce. These veneers are selected at the Goodwood factory exclusively for the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD. In its flawless surface finish and distinctive stitching, the Cornsilk Tipped Leather used for the door panels also displays the unparalleled level of quality refined by the famous marque. Another stylish touch comes in the form of the high- quality Piano Black gloss finish on the multifunction steering wheel buttons and the control panel below the Centre Speedo.

The matching black dials for the speedometer and rev counter bear the same typeface as their Rolls-Royce counterparts. The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is adorned with seats in Lounge Leather upholstery, a soft full-grain leather steering wheel and rugs in a quality of deep wool fleece also enjoyed by passengers in current Rolls-Royce models. The trim for the headlining, sun visors and luggage compartment cover boasts a likewise extremely high-grade Rolls-Royce cashmere blend.

When it comes to the exterior paintwork, customers can look forward to the Diamond Black metallic shade developed by Rolls-Royce Design. Alternatively, the MINI colour 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.

Another identifying feature of the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD are the sporty and elegant 17-inch multispoke light-alloy wheels. There are also high-class aluminium 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 1000”, can be found on the centre console in front of the gearshift lever (or selector lever, if the automatic gearbox is specified).

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 colour 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 centre in Munich. The special-edition car will be built at the Oxford MINI plant, where the MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible are also produced for the global market.

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. Its innovative and high-quality character is underlined by technology including Adaptive Headlights with xenon light, Park Distance Control, automatic climate control, an on-board computer and the MINI Visual Boost Radio audio system including a Harman Kardon hi-fi loudspeaker system.

Twin-scroll turbocharged engine delivers customary MINI driving fun.

The four-cylinder turbocharged engine familiar from the MINI Cooper S ensures that the hallmark MINI driving fun and imposing power reserves are available on tap. The 1.6-litre drive unit – equipped with a turbocharger based on the twin-scroll principle, petrol direct injection and variable valve control – develops 135 kW/184 hp and maximum torque of 240 Newton metres (177 lb-ft), which can be raised to 260 Newton metres (192 lb-ft) for a short time 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 100 km/h (62 mph) is all over in 7.0 seconds, while fuel consumption in the EU test cycle stands at 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres (48.7 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions come in at 136 grams per kilometre. 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.

[Source: MINI [