Mini has unveiled a brace of limited-edition models with London-themed monikers, the Bayswater and Baker Street, to celebrate the upcoming Olympic Games which will be hosted in England’s capital. Both models will go on sale in South Africa from March.
The Bayswater model (blue) is touted by Mini as “the extrovert sportsman” and takes its name from the West London borough famed for its vibrant nightlife and proximity to the well-known Hyde Park. Finished in metallic Kite Blue, the Bayswater is distinguished by 17-inch Sandblast light-alloy wheels, a contrasting black roof, model-specific decals and sports stripes on the bonnet with a design that’s echoed on the exterior mirror caps.
Among this model’s interior highlights are Punch leather seats in an exclusive Rocklite Anthracite colour with a metallic sheen for the side bolsters and blue and grey contrast stitching, two-tone for the gearshift/selector lever and handbrake gaiters, and piano-black cabin trim strips. The Bayswater also features a chrome-line interior package, which includes stainless-steel pedals, and the Pepper Pack (air-conditioning, an on-board computer, a leather steering wheel, the chrome-line exterior package, front foglamps, a lighting package and height adjustment for the front passenger seat).
The Baker Street model (grey) derives its name from a famous street in London’s Marylebone district which was portrayed as the home of Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective hero, Sherlock Holmes. Finished in Rooftop Grey metallic with a black roof, the Baker Street sports black bonnet stripes with a V-shaped design, 16-inch double-spoke alloy wheels in a gloss black finish, black gloss mirror caps and “Baker Street” decals.
The cabin features cloth seats with a diamond-pattern finish, a Cross Check Rooftop Grey pattina for much of the facia surfaces and door panel finishes, contrast stitching for the gearlever and handbrake boots, a chrome-line interior pack and “Baker Street” decals on the door sills. This model also features the Pepper Pack as standard fitment.
Local versions will be offered in Cooper and Cooper S guises, with power coming from a normally aspirated 1,6-litre petrol engine developing 90 kW and 160 N.m of torque or a turbocharged 1,6-litre unit with 135 kW and 240 N.m on tap. A choice of standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmissions will be offered.
Pricing will be announced closer to the model’s local launch in March.
