I remember the first time I physically stood next to a Rolls-Royce. I realized that pictures do not accurately portray the size and sheer presence of that car. It’s more SUV than Town Car. And after scooping out the interior, I finally understood the car, and it’s value. It’s luxury that no other car really offers.
It’s interior makes a standard minivan seem claustrophobic. And the plush leather seats are about twice as comfortable as any actual chair or recliner that I have had the luxury of enjoying. I understood what all the fuss was about; it’s simply the most luxurious way to travel the roads. But what if we took that brand and applied to something much smaller…like a mini.
Mini has announced pricing for a new model that is co-branded with the most luxurious car in the world, Rolls-Royce. The new Mini Inspired by Goodwood was revealed on the first day of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, not to be confused with the Charlie Sheen Festival of Coke, or the Olympics.
The new Mini Inspired by Goodwood, which is limited to a run of 1,000 vehicles, will start at £41,000, and they will begin delivering vehicles in March of next year.
So why would anyone pay about 4 times the price of a Mini? Because it’s pimped out like a Rolls-Royce on the inside, and most of us can’t afford a Rolls-Royce, so this is as close as we can get.
The entire dash, center console, seats, roof, carpets, air vents, etc… are all made by our snooty friends at Rolls-Royce and are in the “cornsilk” color that is exclusive to Rolls-Royce. Most of the other surfaces are finished in Walnut Burr.
From the lambswool carpet to the cashmere roof liner, this over dressed little car is pur luxury on the inside, and sports the exclusive Diamond Black metallic paint of a Rolls Royce.
One would hope that there would be a performance upgrade to go along with the new looks, but a Rolls-Royce is not knowing for being a quick car. Mechanically the Mini is a standard Mini Cooper S, with a 1.6 liter four cylinder engine, turbocharged to bring it to 185 bhp.
Personally I don’t know who would go out of their way to purchase a Rolls Royce Mini. Perhaps Dr. Evil can get one for Mini Me.
