MINI is broadening its UK-only ‘Shadow Edition’ line-up by making it available on the stylish hatch, soft top convertible and electric versions of the popular car.
Order books are now open, with prices for the blacked-out specification starting at £22,340 for a 3-door manual and rising to £35,050 for the battery-powered ‘e’ version which include’s the government’s £2,500 plug-in car grant.
The ‘Shadow Edition’ is already available on the bigger and more practical MINI Clubman, as well as the family-friendly Sports Utility Vehicle-inspired MINI Countryman.
Like those, these three MINIs come with ‘Midnight Black’ metallic paint, a silver-coloured contrasting roof and door mirrors, and gloss black exterior trim on top of special decals for the bonnet and front wings. Together, these combine to create a “dramatic and streamlined look”, the brand says.
The Shadow Edition hatch and convertible are based on the regular ‘Sport’ trim and so get 18-inch John Cooper Works alloy wheels, a John Cooper Works aero kit which includes a roof-mounted rear spoiler, and LED headlamps and tail-lights.
As for the electric MINI, it adopts the ‘Level 3’ model’s specification and adds 17-inch ‘Tentacle Spoke’ rims. The hatch and convertible all share the same graphics on their bonnet, while the hatch adds subtle lettering on the driver’s side base of its roof.
Inside, all cars have John Cooper Works sport seats and a sports leather steering wheel with contrast ‘Chili Red’-coloured stitching. This is matched to Anthracite headlining and Piano Black trim pieces on the dash and door cards.
An 8.8-inch infotainment screen with MINI Connected and Bluetooth also come as standard along with automatic lights and wipers. The ‘Comfort Pack’, ‘Comfort Plus Pack’ and ‘Navigation Plus Pack’, which includes wireless charging and a head-up display, are all optional.
The new MINIs can be had with two petrol engines. The 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbo develops 134bhp and can be paired to a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic that costs £1,400 more.
The 2-litre Cooper S powertrain develops 176bhp for a 0-62mph time of 6.6 seconds and a 146mph top speed. Buyers have two transmission choices: a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
As for the MINI Electric Shadow Edition, it uses a 181bhp e-motor that draws its energy from a 32.6kWh battery pack that is packaged into the floor of the car. Capable of hitting 62mph from a standstill in 7.3 seconds, it has a claimed range of 140 miles.
