BMW will give the go-ahead to a project that will see a super-luxury version of the MINI Cooper created by Rolls-Royce at the company’s Goodwood factory, a new report finds. Word of the MINI-Rolls tie-up first surfaced in June.
According to Autocar, BMW brass will approve the MINI-Rolls-Royce collaboration in the coming weeks. At least one prototype has already been created, with the project likely to be announced to the public sometime around mid-2010.
The trend of creating super-luxury MINIs started in the 1960s, with coachbuilders mainly focusing on the cars’ interiors. MIN and Rolls-Royce will stay true to that formula, with the small city car set to receive an interior upgrade worthy of the Rolls-Royce name.
Although the co-branding exercise may seem a bit odd – pairing BMW’s least expensive brand with its most expensive brand – it’s likely to be the new fad in the luxury world. With fuel prices on the rise and conspicuous consumption out, even well-to-do luxury buyers are looking to downsize. Aston Martin has already announced it will produce a luxury version of Toyota’s iQ minicar.
11/19, 10:32 AM
posted by:
wyVern
1st Aston Martin/Toyota ugly small car and now RR/Mini !!
What the hell car companies r thinkin about. if i own RR (I know i’ll not never) I will not be proud to share a small Mini for same plant, technicians, engineers etc…
If I can buy a RR, i’ll never worry to find a parking place, I already have a driver who can drop me wherever and then pick me up when i call him.
If I own a RR, for sure I never had Ø´ driving license, and never touched a steering wheel in my life.
11/19, 10:41 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Mark this day as the death of the luxury automobile.
I guess the Mayan calander was right, 2012 will be the end of the world.
11/19, 10:49 AM
posted by:
Kid Icarus
Why?
11/19, 11:26 AM
posted by:
rzegatl
Lighten up. Who gives a S**t?
11/19, 11:33 AM
posted by:
Krugeri
I don’t understand. How does this get a green light in a room full of sentient beings?
11/19, 11:35 AM
posted by:
scratchy
@ wyVern “If I own a RR, for sure I never had Ø´ driving license, and never touched a steering wheel in my life.” – go away , you don’t belong here.
11/19, 11:49 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
C’mon kids… remember how they used to put the Rolls-Royce grill on all those Beetles back in the day?
I want to see Jaguar Nano next.
11/19, 11:50 AM
posted by:
nickkop
well this will either be really weird and irrelevant, really cool, or maybe both….
11/19, 11:53 AM
posted by:
wyVern
scratchy, first time u post a comment and u want to kick somebody out. LOL
Don’t be arrogant, u r just a a a a scratcher.
why u r so offensive? do u really own a RR? No I think u never had a driving licence.
11/19, 12:01 PM
posted by:
Borat
Yep, make Chich and Chong proud!
11/19, 12:23 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Sounds like a vehicle for the 2011 Neiman Marcos holiday catalog
Rather than go so upscale, why can’t manufacturers bring back more lower cost interior packages like the old Levi denim thing AMC offered. Those were cool and even after a few years when the cars self-destructed, the denim seats continued on for another 10 years
11/19, 12:43 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Oh yeah Johnny… that was the first thing that came to my mind.
11/19, 1:17 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
WHat the hell?? I gotta see this. One has nothing to do with the other except that both have 4 wheels and are both owned by BMW.
11/19, 1:27 PM
posted by:
orangecones
Relax brosefs. The way I am reading it is that RR will develop a super luxury trim for the Mini. Not like its gonna be an RR sold as an RR, at RR prices. If anything it will be some super-premium Mini selling for just north of the JCW package and offer similar performance, but the interior be more luxo-oriented rather than teh sport-oriented JCW.
11/19, 1:50 PM
posted by:
Borat
oracngecones, it is already sold for premium for a mini segment!. How dearer it needs to be?
11/19, 5:16 PM
posted by:
eff1Fifty
50k mini…
11/19, 9:41 PM
posted by:
PhuckFavre
this oughta keep the turd burglers, rump rangers and the butt bandits happy…
11/20, 8:32 AM
posted by:
livelyjay
The flying lady will be vomiting all over the hood/bonnet.
11/21, 5:28 PM
posted by:
ktulu
Suh-weet!