Monday 29th June 2009

Arden's Mini Equipe Special Limited To 40 Units

Special-edition Mini Equipe celebrates 40th anniversary of Mini Cooper's BTCC win

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Mini Equipe built to celebrate BTCC success

Tuning house Arden has released a special-edition Mini, called the Equipe, limited to just 40 units.

Arden is better known for tweaked versions of Jaguar and Land Rovers, but it has turned its hand to this Mini Equipe to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the BTCC championship title of Irishman Alec Poole in an Equipe Arden Mini Cooper S.

Handmade stainless steel and chrome highlights decorate the front and rear of the Mini Equipe, and the exterior tweaks are finished off with bespoke 18in alloys. Inside, Arden has covered the Mini Equipe in acres of two-tone leather, with sections of suede trim around some of the instruments and covering the A-pillars.

Car sits 30mm lower on bespoke 18in wheels

Under the bonnet the Cooper S’s turbocharged 1.6 has had its ECU tweaked, while a stainless steel exhaust system with racing catalytic converters and a new intercooler have been fitted. The result is an extra 39bhp and 37lb ft, bringing the Mini Equipe’s power output to 212bhp and a healthy 214lb ft of torque.

A sports suspension package with 30mm lowering springs is also fitted, along with six-pot callipers for the front brakes. Arden has not yet released details of pricing.

 

[slayaz]

Am I missing something, or does that look like a normal mini?

[neon_fox]

If only Aston had gone with this instead of the Toyota IQ...

[CooperS]

slayaz said:

Am I missing something, or does that look like a normal mini?

No, you're quite right other than the alloys?

[Stevie Mojo]

Interior is lovely

[Jackal2k9]

correct me if im wrong but with all the engine mods it gives it 2bhp more than the JCW??? isnt that 210bhp??

[I WISH]

neon_fox said:

If only Aston had gone with this instead of the Toyota IQ...

Now you may have something there. Still probably brand dilution too far ... but far preferable to the iQ.

The Mini grille is not far from an Aston shape as it is.

[dandarez]

My JCW has 210 bhp and when i get in it (black/red leather) i never feel the need to throw up...
i would with THAT interior... YUK!!!!!!!!!!

[briSk]

arden in decent-enough 'make-over' shocker!

[okgo]

The MINI Mayfair released in sept will look like that inside.

[briSk]

okgo said:

The MINI Mayfair released in sept will look like that inside.

as in the colours you mean? the seats are just the standard r56 'lounge' seats that most people seem to be ordering anyway (aren't they?).

[Jackal2k9]

yet again its another 'limited' run of the mini its kinda getting boring......

[Snake the Sniper]

Yay, another limited edition new MINI.

At least this one does have some actual mods though, rather than just a shiny new paint job and a bigger price.

[okgo]

briSk said:

okgo said:

The MINI Mayfair released in sept will look like that inside.

as in the colours you mean? the seats are just the standard r56 'lounge' seats that most people seem to be ordering anyway (aren't they?).

Yeh colours, that seat is a mix between lounge and punch above...

MINI's success is and was built around special editions from what I can tell. They are great for the brand. But yes, expensive, but usually as long as the colour isn't wk the residual is better too.

[FOURRONE]

Im surprised nobody has commented on the fact that its left hand drive

[Bigdick]

Oh dear
didnt the old Austin guys try that with a certain legro???
Them Germans

Edited by Bigdick on Tuesday 30th June 00:29

Edited by Bigdick on Tuesday 30th June 00:32

Edited by Bigdick on Tuesday 30th June 00:33