Just hours after its unveiling, the MINI Paul Smith Edition made its first public appearance at the Japan Mobility Show. We’re in Tokyo to capture the latest collaboration between two British icons, presented here in all three body styles. The car can be ordered as a hatchback with three or five doors or as a convertible.
All versions share key design elements, including Nottingham Green body accents and 18-inch Night Flash Spoke wheels. MINI’s front and rear logos are in dark blue, while Paul Smith’s signature is subtly embedded in the horizontal bar between the taillights. The designer’s signature “Signature Stripe” motif appears on the roof, but only on the driver’s side. Alternatively, the roof can also be painted black with dark stripes. The latter version is only available with a panoramic sunroof.
Aside from these details, the color palette is where things really get interesting. Unlike all other F65, F66 or F67, the Paul Smith Edition can be ordered in Inspired White or Statement Gray. As seen on the convertible, Midnight Black is also available if you want to play it safe. We have a feeling that most customers will probably gravitate towards the two exclusive shades. Both pay homage to the classic Minis before BMW took over. The white finish is inspired by the Classic Mini Beige, while the bluish gray is reminiscent of the 1959 Mini Austin Seven.
MINI brought both left- and right-hand drive versions of the Paul Smith Edition to Tokyo, each with knitted surfaces on the door panels and dashboard. The sports seats are upholstered with artificial leather in nightshade blue, complemented by knitted textile inserts. A highlight is the lower spoke of the steering wheel, which is wrapped in colorful fabric that echoes the recurring stripe theme.
Other details include new dark steel trim for the tweeters and cup holders, as well as aluminum side skirts engraved with the encouraging message: “Every day is a new beginning!” The doormats also have a unique touch thanks to a hand-drawn, stylized rabbit motif. The final touch appears in the circular display, where MINI has added three selectable Paul Smith backgrounds for use in Personal Mode.
The MINI Paul Smith Edition can already be ordered in Great Britain with both a combustion engine and an electric drive. However, it is not offered as a John Cooper Works model. You can’t have everything…
