Are you a Mini enthusiast but not impressed by BMW's efforts to relaunch the icon? David Brown Automotive might have the car for you. The 'Mini Remastered' is a 21st century reworking of the classic city car, limited to 100 examples and hand-built in the UK.
David Brown Automotive has been best known recently for building the Speedback GT, a coachbuilt Sixties-inspired model based on the Jaguar XKR. Now the Coventry-based carmaker has gone to the other end of the market with a coachbuilt version of the original Mini.
Described as the "ultimate classic Mini", each car is nearly identical in terms of size to the original but with brand new, hand-crafted body panels. New structural beams add rigidity to the old body, while the styling has been updated with a new aluminium grilled, LED exterior lights and bespoke headlight bezels. Unique badging and puddle lights on the wing mirror further signify that this is no ordinary old Mini.
Inside is where things get more revolutionary. The Mini Remastered has been brought right up-to-date with an in-built sat-nav and infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's also keyless push-button start, bespoke seats with hand-trimmed upholstery and a leather and fabric dash. Retro Smiths dials also feature, while David Brown has even "enhanced" the driving position to make it more comfortable.
The Mini Remastered is powered by a reconditioned version of the 1,275cc engine with a claimed 50 per cent power increase over the original unit. There's also a reworked four-speed gearbox, upgraded suspension and brakes, plus superior soundproofing. Company founder David Brown claims the car will have "all the style and feel of a classic but with modern dynamics".
All of this isn't likely to come cheap, but there's no indication of prices just yet. The new car comes after the company moved its headquarters to Silverstone, UK, with a new design and sales studio due to open there in the summer.
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