Mini to expand Goodwood trim across model range

Tasteful application or shameless marketing ploy – say what you will about the Goodwood edition Mini, but it's here to stay. According to reports, the retro hatchback trimmed out by Rolls-Royce craftsmen is just the first of many.

Although the special-edition "Mini Inspired by Goodwood" – borrowing its handle from the ancestral home of the Spirit of Ecstasy – will initially be produced in a limited run of 1000 examples, word has it that the name will be applied to an entire range of top-of-the-line offerings. In that way, the Goodwood range will parallel the performance-oriented John Cooper Works trim level as the luxury-oriented pinnacle model for Mini.

So should we be expecting Goodwood editions of the Convertible, Clubman, Countryman and the various other Mini body styles in the pipeline? It would seem that way. But while their interiors may be festooned with plush cornsilk leather and glossy burlwood veneers, don't go looking for a V12 under the hood.

View the original article here

Mini to expand Goodwood trim across model range

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on May 2nd 2011 at 1:29PM

Mini Inspired by Goodwood – Click above for high-res image gallery
Tasteful application or shameless marketing ploy – say what you will about the Goodwood edition Mini, but it's here to stay. According to reports, the retro hatchback trimmed out by Rolls-Royce craftsmen is just the first of many.

Although the special-edition "Mini Inspired by Goodwood" – borrowing its handle from the ancestral home of the Spirit of Ecstasy – will initially be produced in a limited run of 1000 examples, word has it that the name will be applied to an entire range of top-of-the-line offerings. In that way, the Goodwood range will parallel the performance-oriented John Cooper Works trim level as the luxury-oriented pinnacle model for Mini.

So should we be expecting Goodwood editions of the Convertible, Clubman, Countryman and the various other Mini body styles in the pipeline? It would seem that way. But while their interiors may be festooned with plush cornsilk leather and glossy burlwood veneers, don't go looking for a V12 under the hood.

View the original article here

Mini Goodwood Concept headed to Shanghai Motor Show

by Matt Davis (RSS feed) on Mar 15th 2011 at 11:28AM

At the recent Geneva Motor Show, a source within Mini revealed to Autoblog that the automaker will be bringing a new concept, dubbed "Goodwood," to the Shanghai Motor Show next month.

The Goodwood concept is a fully plushified, hand-wrought hatchback updo that pays hommage to not only the current Rolls-Royce headquarters on the Goodwood estate (hey, it's all in the BMW Group family), but also to the Rolls-Royce/Bentley glory years of bespoke treatments by the in-house Mulliner Park Ward department. Consider it a high-margin fluff job for present-day good-taste barometer nations like China, Russia, India, Abu Dhabi and Switzerland.

Coachbuilder Park Ward of London became a wholly owned part of Rolls-Royce/Bentley in 1939, while H.J. Mulliner & Co. was absorbed in 1961. Together these workers melded into one under the legendary Mulliner Park Ward bespoke umbrella. In 1998 when Rolls-Royce and Bentley were hewn asunder, Mulliner was eventually reconstituted under the Bentley brand as its bespoke group, while Park Ward lasted until 2002 at the end of the limited-run Rolls-Royce Park Ward extended-wheelbase model.

We're eager to get our hands on the official images and details sometime before the Wee Roller's debut next month. Should be rich.

[Image: Drew Phillips/AOL]

Filed under: Concept Cars, China, Hatchback, Mini, Rolls-Royce, UK, Specialty, Shanghai Motor Show, Design/Style, Luxury

Tags: 2011 shanghai, concept, goodwood, mini, shanghai 2011, shanghai motor show

View the original article here

Mini Goodwood packs the heart of a Rolls-Royce for Shanghai

MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD: THE HIGHEST IN EXCLUSIVITY.
Limited production model from the MINI Yours range of special edition vehicles and optionsBased on the MINI Hardtop, this special edition includes authentic Rolls-Royce materials, colors and accessoriesProduction limited to 1,000 units worldwideDeliveries to begin spring 2012
WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ – April 13, 2011-The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, which will make its world debut at the Auto Shanghai 2011, is an exclusive special edition that 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 at the development center of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England 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.

The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, which will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, combines typical MINI driving fun with discerning craftsmanship, select materials and a styling marked by typical British understatement of the world's leading producer of luxury automobiles. Deliveries of the 2012 model year vehicle, which will launch as part of the exclusive MINI Yours product line, are scheduled to start in spring 2012.

The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is characterized by top-grade materials, the highest level of workmanship and stylish supremacy. The special edition of the MINI Hardtop was built under the guidance of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars designer team and transfers the unmistakable style of the British luxury car manufacturer to the equally unique MINI, an original within the premium small car segment.

The exterior and interior design from the MINI Yours range: fascinating charisma and incomparable high-quality ambience.

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.

Inside the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, a harmonious color concept, selected materials and a production quality characterized by precise craftsmanship guarantee the highest degree of well-being and comfort.

The dashboard, including the surrounds of the central instrument and the air vents, the center console, carpet surfaces, the Lounge leather seats, the roof lining as well as the door, side and body pillar cladding boast the exclusive Rolls-Royce color Cornsilk, a warm and natural shade of beige. Only the upper section of the instrument panel, which is lined with extremely high-quality, soft full-grain leather, is in black.

The dashboard and door handle surfaces are manufactured in Goodwood and finished in Walnut Burr, a wood quality also exclusive to Rolls-Royce. The black nappa leather dashboard top, Tipped Leather Cornsilk door linings as well as Piano Black surface finishes for the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel and the controls below the central instrument all provide additional quality-enhancing accents. These veneers are selected at the Goodwood factory exclusively for the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, and the matching black dials for the speedometer and rev counter bear the same typeface as their Rolls-Royce counterparts.

Two of the most striking features of the exterior design are the body finish in the exclusive Rolls-Royce color Diamond Black metallic and 17-inch light alloy wheels sporting a multi-spoke design. Alternatively, the MINI color 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.

There are also high-class aluminum 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).

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. The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD's range of high-quality equipment offered as standard also includes Xenon Adaptive Headlights, Park Distance Control, automatic air conditioning, an onboard computer and the audio system Radio MINI Visual Boost, which includes the Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system.

Twin-scroll turbocharged engine delivers customary MINI driving fun.

The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is powered by a turbocharged l.6-liter four-cylinder engine that was featured for the first time in the 2011 MINI Cooper S. The MINI Cooper S engine ensures that the hallmark MINI driving fun and imposing power reserves are available on tap. The engine includes a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve control.

The 1.6-liter drive unit generates 181 hp and maximum torque of 240 Newton meters (177 lb-ft), which can be raised to 260 Newton meters (192 lb-ft) 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 60 mph is all over in 6.6 seconds, while its EPA fuel economy ratings are 35 mpg highway / 27 mpg city / 30 mpg combined (manual transmission). 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.

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 color 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 center in Munich.

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

Bred from the finest of stock: The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD.

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 color 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.

View the original article here

Mini teases Goodwood special en route to Shanghai

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Apr 12th 2011 at 4:15PM

Mini Inspired by Goodwood – Click above for high-res image
The Shanghai Motor Show may not have ranked among the major expos of the year until recently, but automakers flocking to the Chinese show have put it on the map. And this year's show – now just one week away – is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet.

In Shanghai, visitors will get their first glimpse of the BMW Concept M5, Mercedes-Benz A-Class concept, the new Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Envision crossover concept, Audi's new Q3 and Subaru's XV crossover concept, just to name a few. In short, there's no lack of novelty at the show in China this year. And Mini won't be sitting out the action, either.

As we reported last month, Mini will be presenting its Goodwood show car in Shanghai, and has now released the teaser image you see above. Officially called the Mini Inspired by Goodwood, it's a joint effort between Mini and Rolls-Royce – the two English brands at the opposite ends of the BMW Group spectrum – Shanghai'ing, as it were, Rolls-Royce's cabin craftsmen and putting them to work on a Mini's interior, with a price tag that'll land somewhere in between. Stay tuned for more as the show rapidly approaches.

[Source: Mini]

Filed under: Hatchback, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Shanghai Motor Show, Luxury

Tags: 2011 shanghai motor show, goodwood, mini, mini goodwood, mini goodwood concept, mini inspired by goodwood, rolls-royce, shanghai, shanghai 2011, shanghai motor show

View the original article here