In Munich, MINI and Paul Smith have unveiled a collaboration that proves small cars and big design ideas belong together. The MINI Paul Smith Edition translates the legendary British designer's signature "classic with a twist" philosophy into a special-edition vehicle family available now across the MINI Cooper 3-Door, 5-Door, and Convertible—with a notable choice: buyers can select fully electric variants with zero CO2 emissions.
This partnership matters because it demonstrates how automotive design can carry cultural meaning while moving toward sustainability. Paul Smith, a designer celebrated for meticulous detailing and unexpected visual flourishes rooted in his Nottingham, England heritage, has applied his sensibility to vehicles that MINI buyers already love for their approachability and playfulness. The result feels neither forced nor merely cosmetic—it's a genuine conversation between two design languages.
The exterior palette speaks to Smith's creative reinterpretation of British automotive history. Statement Grey reimagines the 1959 Mini Austin Seven's legendary shade with a contemporary blue undertone. Inspired White echoes the beloved beige of the classic Mini in a modern register. These sit alongside Midnight Black Metallic from MINI's current range. What ties them together is the signature Paul Smith stripe motif combined with striking contrasts in body, roof, and accent colours. Across all three body styles, door mirrors, the radiator grille surround, and wheel hub caps feature Nottingham Green—a direct homage to Smith's hometown and a visual anchor for the entire design.
The roof options add another layer of intentionality. Hard-top models can specify either Nottingham Green with the designer's signature stripe on the driver's side, or Jet Black finished with tone-on-tone striping that reads as understated rather than loud.
Inside, British understatement meets creative storytelling. The upholstery pairs Nightshade Blue knit material with black knitted surfaces featuring subtle tone-on-tone stripes. Open the door and a "Hello" light projection greets you. The door sill carries an inscription: "Every day is a new beginning." The sport steering wheel's 6 o'clock spoke features a signature stripe textile element. On the floor mat, a hand-drawn Rabbit graphic adds the kind of characteristically British wit that defines Smith's work across all his design disciplines.
For environmentally conscious buyers, the MINI Cooper SE and MINI Cooper E electric variants deliver zero CO2 emissions, with energy consumption of 14.7–14.6 kWh per 100 kilometres and 14.3 kWh per 100 kilometres respectively. The combustion engine variants available in this edition produce between 146 and 156 grams of CO2 per kilometre depending on model and displacement.
What emerges is a product that respects both its audience and its designers. MINI buyers have always appreciated vehicles that combine utilitarian charm with visual personality. Paul Smith customers prize craftsmanship, restraint, and the delight of small surprises. In this edition, those values overlap completely. Three exclusive Paul Smith backgrounds are available in the vehicle's Personal Mode display, ensuring the partnership extends even to the digital interface.
The MINI Paul Smith Edition launches at a moment when design collaborations often feel perfunctory. This one feels genuinely conversational—two British institutions finding common ground in the belief that good design makes everyday life more joyful, whether that's a car that drives with zero emissions or interiors that reward close attention with wit and care.