"Inspired by Goodwood" - The Rolls-Royce Mini ~ Shear

Shear English - BMW's lower- and upper-end British brands, Mini and Rolls-Royce, have combined to create a limited edition luxury hatchback. The new "Inspired by Goodwood" Mini was created by the Rolls-Royce design team behind million-dollar limousines such as the Phantom.

The all-black-exterior Mini Goodwood won't cost quite as much if BMW Australia is successful in securing the car, which will be built in a limited production run of 1000 units, but UK motoring media are reporting the car could be very expensive for a small car - about $80,000 (approximately £50,000).

Named after the home town of Rolls-Royce and built under the watchful eye of the town's locals, the Goodwood model features lashings of luxury with the aim of ensuring the top-dollar Mini exhibits "the highest level of workmanship and stylish supremacy".

The interior is the clearest indication of the conglomeration between the two brands. The dash, console, seats, roof-lining and door-pillars are all clad in the exclusive Rolls-Royce colour Corn Silk, while deep-pile lambswool carpet mats, identical to the fleece used in current Rolls models, are thick enough to put Ugh-boots to shame.

Other fancy materials include cashmere for the rooflining and walnut-burr wood and nappa leather for the dash. The Mini's instruments also borrow Rolls' unique typeface.

Under the bonnet, though, you won't find Rolls' coveted 6.75L V8 engine - instead, the Goodwood features the 1.6-litre turbo engine from the Cooper S, which produces 135kW of power and a maximum torque figure of 260Nm of torque. The car will be fitted with a standard 6-spd manual gearbox but a six-speed automatic will be an added for an cost extra.

The Goodwood is the lastest in a line of pint-sized luxury runabouts from high-end prestige manufacturers, which includes Aston Martin's upcoming pint-sizer, the Cygnet, (about $55,000, on sale in Australia early 2012) and the $80,000 Ferrari-inspired Fiat Tributo 695 hot hatch.

The news of Mini's most expensive model comes less than a week after its announced its new local cut-price model, the $25,500 Mini Ray. The limited edition model will make its debut at the Shanghai motor show next week. (Sydney Morning Herald)