Everyone’s favorite roller-skate-on-wheels is 20! Mini USA, the minicar brand based on a historic British vehicle but produced by a German manufacturer, officially has been in the American market for 20 years already. Where did the time go? For a while, the Mini Cooper was an “It” car, full of fun marketing ideas and appealing to both economy-minded folks and enthusiasts anxious to take a highway exit ramp a bit too fast.
Since then, the fancier Mini Cooper S has gone from supercharger to turbocharger and now no manual transmission being offered. What is this world coming to? Yet let us celebrate Mini’s 20th with the Mini 20 Years Edition, which will only be available as a Mini Cooper S four-door hardtop … wait, they’re not all two-doors?
“We came into the industry 20 years ago when trucks and SUVs were in high demand and disrupted the mindset of America’s driving consumers,” says Vice President of Mini of the Americas, Mike Peyton. “Here we are today a small fun to drive car that still celebrates every aspect of the spirit of the MINI brand, our owner community and the passion that exists 20 years later.”
Sure, the Mini Cooper brand has grown, which now includes a quasi-SUV and has had several boutique-y models in-between like the Paceman. This Mini Cooper 20 Years Edition will be available in three color choices to reflect the “core elements of the American and British flags”: Chili Red, Pepper White and Island Blue. They all feature a silver roof, mirror caps, Piano Black trim, offset hood stripe accented in r/w/b (on the driver’s side, with a star on the passenger’s side), 17-inch Tentacle Spoke black wheels wrapped in all-season tires, panoramic moonroof and roof rails.
And since Mini has always been somewhat a bespoke car for the groundlings set, a host of accessories like side scuttle inlays, door sill plates and C-pillar decals are included with the 20 Years Edition.
Inside, the 20 Years edition features Carbon Black leatherette sport seats complemented by an anthracite headliner above. A Nappa leather steering wheel with 20 Years Edition insert is surrounded by paddle shifters for the 7-speed sport dual clutch transmission — no sticks, remember? More Piano Black trim (with 20 Years graphics scattered throughout), dual-zone climate system, heated front seats, touchscreen navigation including Apple CarPlay and more give the hint that this ain’t an anniversary worth missing.
Production for the Mini Cooper 20 Years Edition began in July but it will be arriving to dealerships this month.
Keep me updated on any new Clubman. I have owned a restored 1965 1275S Cooper S , one new Country , and two new Clubmans. These are great cars, although the country man does not inspire me.