The MINI Paul Smith Edition has arrived and it feels like a perfect celebration of two icons of British design. MINI has teamed up once again with Sir Paul Smith to create a car filled with charm, colour and personality. If you’re searching for the new Paul Smith Mini, curious about the MINI Electric Paul Smith, or you love the idea of a modern MINI with a designer touch, this is one worth knowing about.
I’ve added some images and a short clip of Paul Smith walking through the design touches. It really shows how much of his world has made it into this new edition.
A partnership with proper history
MINI and Paul Smith have been working together on and off for almost 30 years. The first collaboration landed in 1998 with a classic Mini finished in a special shade of blue. A year later, Paul Smith went all in and created a one off Mini covered in 86 colourful stripes.
They reunited in 2021 for the MINI STRIP, a minimalist concept based on reducing the car to only the essentials. In 2022 they unveiled the MINI Recharged by Paul Smith, an electrified classic Mini based on one of the original 1998 Paul Smith cars.
So this new MINI Paul Smith Edition feels like a natural next step. It brings the designer’s famous style into the newest MINI family for both petrol and electric models.
Available across the MINI Cooper range
The MINI Paul Smith Edition will be available on:
- MINI Cooper 3 door
- MINI Cooper 5 door
- MINI Convertible
It will sit across both petrol and electric versions, although John Cooper Works models are not included.
This means there will be a Paul Smith MINI Electric, which is likely to be a strong draw for people who want character and zero emission driving in the same package.
A look built around the idea of British with a twist
Paul Smith is known for creating classic pieces with a playful edge. MINI is known for personality, fun and creativity. Put them together and you get a car that stands out without shouting.
The colour options set the tone:
- Statement Grey inspired by the 1959 Mini Austin Seven.
- Inspired White based on the classic Beige from the original Mini.
- Midnight Black Metallic from the current MINI line up.
All of them get special accents in Nottingham Green, a nod to Sir Paul’s hometown. You’ll see this shade on the mirror caps, grille outline, hub covers and one of the two roof designs. It gives each car a proper designer feel.
There are two roof choices:
- A Nottingham Green roof with Paul Smith’s Signature Stripe running along one side.
- A black striped roof with a mix of matte and gloss finishes.
Convertible models get a black soft top, keeping things simple and classic.
The car sits on 18 inch Night Flash wheels in black with a tinted steel finish. Even the MINI logo has been redesigned for this edition, shifting to a Black Blue colourway that fits the palette.
A cabin full of thoughtful touches
Inside the MINI Paul Smith Edition you get a mix of modern MINI design and unmistakeable Paul Smith details.
- Knitted dash and door materials.
- Paul Smith inspired patterns woven into the dashboard texture.
- Nightshade Blue sport seats in Vescin with soft knitted upper sections.
- Multicolour stitching on the steering wheel inspired by the Signature Stripe.
The central circular display gets three exclusive Paul Smith backgrounds in Personal Mode. When you open the door, a light projection on the ground says “Hello” in Paul Smith’s own handwriting. The sills carry his phrase “Every day is a new beginning”. Small, warm touches like this give the car a sense of welcome each time you get in.
There is even a hand drawn rabbit on the floor mats, created by Paul Smith himself. It brings a sense of humour to the interior, something both brands share.
A collaboration built on British craft and creativity
Both MINI and Paul Smith have always blended heritage with forward thinking design. This new edition continues that story. It celebrates British style without feeling old fashioned. It works on petrol and electric models, so whether you want a MINI Electric Paul Smith Edition or a 3 door petrol Cooper with a designer twist, the personality is the same.
The Paul Smith MINI collection
Alongside the car, Paul Smith is releasing a capsule range of bags inspired by design details from the new MINI Paul Smith Edition. MINI has also featured in Paul Smith’s clothing collections in the past, so fans of the brand will recognise the crossover.
Final thoughts
The new MINI Paul Smith Edition feels like one of those special collaborations that will become desirable very quickly. It has the charm of the classic Paul Smith Mini from the nineties, combined with the clean, modern look of the latest MINI Cooper and MINI Electric models.
It’s playful. It’s stylish. It’s distinctly British. If you’re into design led cars or you’ve always loved the idea of a Paul Smith Mini, this one is well worth a look.
If you want help finding or leasing a MINI Cooper or MINI Electric, including special editions, you can explore the latest car leasing deals at Rivervale.
