MINI Rolls-Royce?

Rumours of a MINI trimmed to the same standard inside as a Rolls-Royce have been circulating for a while now. The project is said to be gaining momentum, with BMW - which owns both the MINI and Rolls-Royce brands - being set to approve the project. A MINI trimmed with the finest leather hides and wood veneers that feature in Rolls-Royce's cars would hark back to the MINI's glory days - where independent coach-trimmers created luxury versions for wealthy clients.

Each would be trimmed by Rolls-Royce's craftsmen at its Goodwood production facility, owners given carte-blanche to specify their cars exactly as they want them. There's no word on pricing yet, but with every car finished to their owner's exact specifications each is likely to be priced individually. The idea might sound excessive to typical MINI buyers, but we've spoken to a London MINI dealer who has specified MINIs for wealthy clients that end up costing over £30,000 - with at least one costing in excess of £40,000.

What better car to run around in when the chauffeur is on holiday, or there's just not enough parking space for the Phantom?

Kyle Fortune