Special Edition MINI Equipe Now Available

Arden Engineering commemorates its British Touring Car Championship Winner from 40 years ago with a dazzling new special edition.

Forty years ago, tuning specialist Arden Engineering came out with a tricked out Mini Cooper S which won the British Touring Car Championship. Today, Arden is commemorating that event with an extensively upgraded special edition MINI Equipe… and it’s not only fast, it’s luxurious, too.

The car is embellished with hand-stitched casings and handcrafted stainless steel and chrome elements from fender to fender. You get a sleek mesh grill outside and a two-tone leather upholstery theme across the interior including seats, dashboard and doors.

As for performance, the Equipe also gets 18×8" aluminum alloy wheels, weighing 15 pounds each, and an enhanced ECU that takes advantage of the latest intercooler system. Plus, of course, an upgrade to a completely stainless steel exhaust equipped with racing-type catalytic converters. All of this gives the car an extra 40hp (30kW) and 37lb-ft (50Nm) of torque over the standard model.

Along with the extra power boost comes a special Arden suspension and lowered springs bringing the ride height down to 30mm, which improves handling, according to the company. Stopping power is provided by six-piston brakes for the front rotors.

Best known for its Jaguar and Land Rover special editions, the Arden Mini Equipe is only Arden’s second custom Mini Cooper (guess perfection takes a little longer) and if you’re interested, it’s currently available by special order.