London 2012 Mini - cool but costly

They build on very strong base vehicles and add custom leather interiors and an extremely cool dashboard, some neat exterior detailing and a definite feeling of exclusivity.

Is this worth the best part of an extra £3,000? That’s a tough one to answer. Couched in pure financial terms, it looks another example of the predatory pricing stories that have stalked the London Games. Viewed over the longer term, these cars could be a very smart investment.

These London 2012 models are offered in three colours and you’ll get no prizes for guessing what they are. Yep, red, white and blue, or to be more precise Chilli Red, White Silver or Lightning Blue.

They also get a distinctive Union Jack single sport stripe which runs over the bonnet, roof and rear tailgate and 17” Ferris Grey conical spoke alloy wheels. There’s also the London 2012 logo on the roof. Although the exterior of these MINI Cooper London 2012 editions is distinctive, it’s the interior that really sets them apart. The neatest thing is the piano black dashboard that has the London skyline etched into it.

If you’re up to speed on the city’s landmarks, you’ll spot Battersea Power Station, Buckingham Palace, Nelson’s Column, the London Eye, the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, 30 St Mary Axe (aka ‘The Gherkin’) and Tower Bridge. There’s also a numbered legend, denoting where in the production run of 2012 cars your vehicle came.

The seats get red and blue stitching twinned with white piping on both the front and rear black ‘Lounge Leather’ upholstery and the logo on the headrests. Coloured stitching is also evident on the handbrake, gearshift gaiter and the piped floor mats.

Given the price tags of many well-optioned cars leaving MINI dealers, certain customers aren’t averse to dropping some rather serious coin on BMW’s baby front-wheel drive hatch. The Cooper London 2012 editions will slot into that buyer profile very nicely.

They might not be cheap, but they’re sure to be popular.