MINI 'London' editions set for local release

MINI Baker Street
Of the two announced in late January, the 'Baker Street' MINI is the one that most Aussies would be familiar with, with the name of course coming from the address made famous by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes.

The MINI Baker Street is signified by its 'Rooftop Grey' metallic exterior finish, with unique black bonnet stripes featuring a subtle 'V' design. Other distinctive touches include gloss black six-spoke alloy wheels, gloss black mirrors and Baker Street badging on the side indicator surrounds. Black or White exteriors, instead of the Rooftop Grey, will also be available with the Baker Street option.

The inside of the MINI Baker Street is trimmed in combined cloth and leather upholstery, with the seat facings finished in diamond-patterned 'Cross Check Rooftop Grey light'. The same material, stitched in contrasting lighter material, is used throughout the interior, combined with Rooftop Grey and chrome accents.

An intriguing, or at least intriguingly-named, addition to the MINI Baker Street is the "Pepper Pack"! This comprises front foglamps, special lighting, 'Chrome Line' exterior trim, air conditioning, on-board computer, leather steering wheel, and height-adjustable front passenger's seat.

Available in MINI One or MINI Cooper spec - in both diesel and petrol variants - with a standard six speed manual, the MINI Baker Street is scheduled for Australian release in May.

MINI Bayswater
As an alternative to the Baker Street, a MINI 'Bayswater' model will also be released locally. The Bayswater takes its name from the bar and restaurant-laden cosmopolitan section of west London adjacent to Hyde Park.

In the case of the Bayswater car, what distinguishes this more sports-oriented model is a new 'Kite Blue' exterior finish, black roof, and bold blue & silver stripes on the bonnet. Side mirrors feature a strobe stripe design matching the bonnet stripes - blue on one side, grey on the other. Midnight Black or Eclipse Grey paint is available as an option to the blue on Cooper S & Cooper SD-spec Bayswater models.

Inside, the Bayswater's "Punch Leather" seats are finished in an exclusive Rocklite Anthracite colour, with side bolsters finished in a metallic sheen with blue and grey contrasting piping. Piano black trim stripes on the dash follow the line of the exterior stripes, with other interior trim items accented with black stitching. "Bayswater" badging features on the inside door sills, seat tabs and side indicator surrounds.

The MINI Bayswater also features the Pepper Pack as standard, with a number of other options and upgrades set to be made available. Being the more sports-oriented model, the Bayswater will be available in Cooper spec only, from standard, through D, S and SD versions.

Australian pricing will start at $33,600 for the MINI Baker Street Cooper manual, rising up to $45,750 for the MINI Bayswater Cooper S auto.

Specific release dates for these MINIs are yet to be confirmed. More London-inspired special edition MINIs are set to follow throughout 2012.