Mini Inspired by Goodwood & equipped by Rolls-Royce

Nothing says “nearing the end of the product cycle” like a special edition model. The Mini inspired by Goodwood limited edition looks like exactly that, and it’s not always a bad thing. By the time manufactures start thinking about boosting sales with a “special” they’ve usually worked out most of the issues. Put another way, if you like a specific model, buy the last year it’s made because it will always be the most sorted.  This one has been sorted by Rolls-Royce. 

Starting with the exterior, in beautiful Rolls-Royce Diamond Black metallic or Mini Reef Blue metallic if you prefer, the Goodwood edition also features 17” multi-spoke aluminum wheels.  Additionally, Mini fits what they call “high class” aluminum “Mini Inspried by Goodwood” badges above the wheel arches where the “S” badges normally resides.  

Inside is where things get really posh. A black Nappa leather dashboard accented with Walnut Burr is just the beginning.  The speedo & tach are black and use the same Rolls-Royce typeface found in the Phantom. The roof lining, sun visors and rear storage tray are covered in cashmere, the carpets are plush lambs wool, and many of the interior surfaces have a touch of Rolls-Royce Piano Black.  The primary interior pallet is done in Rolls-Royce “cornsilk” leather also known as beige to we common folk. 

The Goodwood comes standard with the usual array of Mini features, including: automatic air conditioning, Xenon adaptive headlights, park distance control and a Harmon Kardon sound system.  A chauffer is not included. 

Under the skin the Goodwood is all Mini Cooper S, though it eschews the very un-Rolls-Royce like “S” hood scoop. Power comes from the same 1.6-liter twin-scroll supercharged inline 4-cylinder, making 184 hp (135 kW) & 177 ft/lbs (240 Nm) of torque. 0-60 performance remains about the same at 6.6 seconds with a fuel economy in the 30-mpg range when equipped with, gasp, a 6-speed manual transmission.  A more civilized 6-speed automatic gearbox is optional. 

Only 1000 of the Mini Inspired by Goodwood editions will be available worldwide. If you want one, better get your order in sharpish.  Each is fitted with a “classy” numbered limited edition interior placard. Pricing has not been announced but we assume it will be the most expensive production Mini ever offered, somewhere between $35K (US) for a loaded Mini S and $300K (US) Rolls-Royce Ghost. 

Frivolity aside, it’s likely the Goodwood will be one of the best screwed together and most luxurious Mini’s ever assembled. Customers will begin taking delivery a year from now in the spring of 2012.