The original, iconic MINI has been brought back via a new recreation from David Brown Automotive called MINI Remastered. From the outside the car looks very much like an original MINI, but there are modern features found within including an interior touchscreen with smartphone support.
Limited to just 100 units maximum per year, the MINI Remastered will reportedly carry a starting price tag of approximately £50,000.
A couple of the cars will be higher-spec limited edition models that will cost over £70,000. First deliveries are expected to take place near the end of this year.
Each example of the MINI Remastered is hand-built and they come with a bespoke chassis, body and interior. It takes about 1,000 hours in total to produce all the bespoke components.
While the exterior is virtually the same shape and size to the original MINI, the Remastered version comes with a new aluminium grille, LED lights, unique badging and puddle lights attached to the wing mirrors.
The interior meanwhile features a steering wheel and dials similar to the original MINI, but there’s a strong modern twist with features also including a built-in infotainment system that includes sat-nav and smartphone app support. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are compatible with the MINI Remastered’s touchscreen device.
Other cabin highlights include bespoke seats, keyless push-button start and a leather and aluminium switch-covered dashboard. David Brown automotive has adjusted the seating and added new structural beams to make this car much more rigid and comfortable than an original MINI.
The engine used in the MINI Remastered is a 1,275cc engine, which is similar to the unit found in Cooper S versions of the original MINI but up to 50 per cent more power in comparison is claimed. Even with all the modern features onboard, the MINI Remastered weighs only a little over 700kg, so a very nippy driving experience can be expected.
On top of that, features like the four-speed gearbox, suspension, brakes and soundproofing are all tuned up to modern standards. The MINI Remastered is not the first time David Brown Automotive has given a classic British car a modern twist, as it follows the DB5-inspired Speedback GT revealed a few years ago.