Mini Baker Street, Bayswater, and Highgate Special Editions to Make U.S. Debut [New York Auto Show]

Mini is bringing three new special-edition cars to the New York auto show: the Mini Baker Street and Bayswater hardtops, and the Highgate convertible. The English brand says the cars are supposed to spread London style across the world in advance of that city hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics. Mini Cooper Baker Street The Baker Street name is a tribute to the 125th anniversary of the release of the very first Sherlock Holmes story. The package is applied to the 121-hp Mini Cooper hatch, with either the standard six-speed manual or available automatic. It features a number of black exterior accents, including hood stripes, the side-view mirrors, the roof panel, and the wheels. Rooftop Grey metallic paint is standard for the exterior, while Pepper White and Midnight Black are extra-cost options. There are "Baker Street" fender emblems, and the name graces a handful of interior items, such as the gearshift, the handbrake lever, and the doorsills. The interior is accented with gray stitching on the seats, floormats, and other parts. Mini's Pepper Pack option package comes standard and includes air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome exterior trim, and fog lamps. Mini Cooper Bayswater Bayswater references the fashionable part of London that includes Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, and Hyde Park. The Bayswater can be had as either the base Mini Cooper hatch or as the turbocharged, 181-hp Cooper S three-door. It comes wearing an exclusive Kite Blue metallic paint job, and the machined-rim, gloss-black wheels also are special to this car. It also can be ordered in Midnight Black metallic or Eclipse Grey metallic paint. Like the Baker Street, the roof comes in black and it has two stripes on the hood, although the Bayswater's run down the center rather than on either side. Bayswater is spelled out on the side-indicator surrounds, doorsills, and leather seats. The seats come in Rocklite Anthracite, which is just a fancy name for black, with blue and gray contrasting stitching. The stitching style can also be found on the gearshift and handbrake lever. The Bayswater comes with the same Pepper Pack as the Baker Street. No price has been given for either hardtop. Mini Cooper Highgate Highgate is an exclusive London residential area that's home to plenty of celebrities. The special-edition Highgate package will be optional on Cooper and Cooper S convertibles, and will be available with model-specific paint, wheels (which are inspired by the Union Jack), and soft-top colors. Brown and black stripes can be found on the hood and complement the standard Iced Chocolate metallic paint; Midnight Black metallic and White Silver metallic are options. Highgate is stamped in all the usual places, and the interior features light-colored contrasting stitching. The Lounge leather seats come in Dark Truffle and have light-blue piping around the edges. The Highgate will be a $2750 option on top of the Cooper convertible base price and $2500 on top of the Cooper S. If the company keeps churning out these special editions, pretty soon Mini will have as many models as the Mustang. We shudder to think of what would happen if the Olympics were held in Dearborn. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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