Mini's recently unveiled high-performance John Cooper Works Convertible is about as flamboyant as you'll get from the BMW-owned marque. Today, it's back in more familiar territory, with a special edition that celebrates the original Austin Seven that began production in 1959.
The new Mini Seven is aimed at combining the tradition of the Mini, its British origins and its character, with the quality and features that are available today. There are three-door and five-door models available, 3,821-mm (150.4-in) and 3,982-mm (156.8-in) long respectively and both 1,727-mm (68-in) wide. Four engine variants kick out from 85-141 kW (116-192 hp) and top speeds from 202-235 km/h (126-146 mph).
Mini says the Seven retains what it calls its "hallmark brand go-kart feeling," by way of suspension tailored to each model, along with weight- and stiffness-optimized design. The ride can be further tweaked with optional sports suspension and Dynamic Camper Control.
The car sits on double-spoke 17-inch light alloy wheels. There are four paint colors from which to choose, as well as optional silver bonnet stripes with brown surrounds. Inside, the surfaces are black and the seats are finished in fabric and leather. The dashboard is mounted on the steering column, with instruments behind the steering wheel, and there's an optional central console color display up to 8.8-in in size via which navigation, entertainment, telephone and other vehicle functions can be controlled.
The Mini Seven Chili package offers a host of other optional extras. It includes LED headlights and fog lamps, white direction indicators, automatic air conditioning, an on-board computer, a sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and rain sensors with automatic driving lights control, among other things.
Driver assistance systems include a head-up-display, parking assistant, rear view camera, camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection. Other safety features include six airbags, three-point automatic belts, child seat mountings and tyre pressure display for each individual wheel.
The Mini Seven will be available worldwide from July. Prices for the three-door model start from €22,490 (which converts to around US$25,700) and for the five door from €23,400 (about $26,700).
Source: Mini