The BMW group is particular. For just over 25 years, Bavaria’s firm has been taking other companies under his arms. In 1998, Rolls-Royce became part of it and only three years later, in 2001, Mini did the same.
In the mid -50s, the world closely followed the Egyptian nationalization of the Suez Canal. The decision derived, among other things, in a generalized rise in fuels that very hard to the automobile industry.
Iconic models were born from that crisis. He Fiat 500 It was one of them. The British answer would arrive with the mini. Both cases shared many similarities: small cars that prioritized the interior space, very practical to move around and with very tight engines to position themselves as affordable and easy to maintain vehicles.
Saving the technical conditions of those years, in Mini they managed to carry The engine in front and place it transverselya whole milestone that differentiated him from Fiat 500 himself but also from beetle, the other great supervants of the moment. In both cases, the engine was located in the rear.
Almost instantaneously, the mini gained popularity for its extreme lightness and agility. So much so that in 1964 he managed more bizarrest preparations and foster the sports spirit of those light cars that are no longer left.
Perhaps that is why it is not so surprised that with Rolls-Royce and Mini under the same umbrella, both companies joined to create a most special piece.
Fit a rolls-royce in a four-meter car
With the purchase of Mini by BMW, the brand was reborn but did it with very different hallmarks. He collected the retro aesthetics from his ancestors but he was reconverted to offer an urban coolan attractive car in the visual, of premium price but with a very distinctive driving dynamic.
The success was immediate with the Company redefinition. The popularity of the first new Mini Cooper was immediate and attracted all eyes. The Cooper S or John Cooper Works versions would arrive. But far from the expected sports options, in 2011 Mini surprised with a most unexpected collaboration.
With the Mini Inspired by GoodwoodRolls-Royce tried to fit all the company’s luxury in a car that at that time did not reach four meters .. a kind of miniaturization of the maximum luxury and the most select of the automobile industry that was framed within the Deportivo Mini Cooper S.
The car reached the Spanish market with a price at the height of its interiors: 49,500 euros … in 2012. That is, today it would cost almost 65,000 euros if we apply the inflation corresponding to that period. Of course, one of the fortunate thousand who made one of these limited series sold the car last year for 31,000 pounds (35,740 euros) that, adding the corresponding taxes, cost more or less the same as the same as the same as the same as more than a decade.
Inside, this particular mini had the classic leather upholstery in ‘Cornsilk Beige’ color typical of British luxury berlins and insertions in walnut wood. The roof was topped in Kashmir
The sound system was signed by Harman/Kardon and added less common details in those years in small vehicles such as parking sensors or bi-xenon headlights. Even the browser and automatic change had to be asked as extras, increasing the price of the car by more than 3,000 euros.
As a personal anecdote, a few days ago I shared a quick talk with Sergio Ríos (Autobild) and Héctor Ares (usual among our companions of Motorpasion). Both They have been able to drive at some time a rolls-royce And both made reference to a differential detail: the carpets.
And is that in the test of Autobild For more than 10 years, its author also stood out from the mini inspired by Goodwood this aspect. In fact, In the article you could read the following:
What caught my attention the most when I opened the door for the first time were … the carpets. Yes, you are going to laugh, it is not the element in which I usually look at a car, but those carried by this mini inspired by Goodwood are to take a picture and teach them: they are made of lamb skin, and they are so soft that you want to take off your shoes and drive barefoot. In addition, they are very warm; Of course, they have panic, dust and, of course, the mud
Yeah, There were reasons to buy a mini inspired by Goodwood and pay for a four -meter -long car and 184 hp gasoline engine almost the same as for a Porsche Boxster In those years.
The first, you had enough money.
The second, that you will fall in love with some carpets that were like staying to live in them.
Photos | Mini
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