Rolls-Royce-infused Mini debuts at Pebble Beach

Mini is debuting a 2012 special-edition Cooper hardtop infused with Rolls-Royce design at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this week in California.

The limited-run Mini Inspired by Goodwood will be set up alongside the Mini Cooper coupe two-seater--first revealed at the Geneva motor show--making its U.S. debut. Both will be at the Mini display on pedestrian walkway and 17-Mile.

Interestingly, it will also have a rather top-shelf price. The Mini Inspired by Goodwood will go for $52,000, including delivery, when advanced orders begin this month. Deliveries will begin in the second quarter of the year.

The Goodwood Mini was produced in collaboration with the Rolls-Royce design team in Goodwood, England. The limited-edition run will comprise 1,000 copies--only 140 of which will be available to U.S. customers--with Rolls-Royce design cues integrated inside and out.

Notable features include a diamond-black-metallic exterior body finish and 17-inch alloy wheels with a multispoke design. A reef-blue metallic color scheme can also be requested.

Inside the car, a cornsilk-beige hue unique to Rolls-Royce color schemes covers materials for everything from the dashboard to carpet surfaces, with only the upper instrument panel section in black. Rolls-Royce materials used throughout the interior include Lounge leather interior seating, lamb's-wool floor mats, a cashmere headliner, burr-walnut-veneer fascia and front door handles, and a sport steering wheel featuring Walknappa leather and piano-black controls.

Each Mini Inspired by Goodwood uses the turbo 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine initially built for the 2011 Mini Cooper S.

The Goodwood Mini makes 181 hp and moves from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmission. As a 2012-model-year vehicle, it will be launched as part of the “Mini Yours” range of special-edition cars.

By Michelle Koueiter