MINI Paul Smith Edition To Arrive In Australia 2026
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MINI has unveiled the latest Paul Smith Edition at the Japan Mobility Show, and Australia will get its turn from Q1 2026. The electric Cooper leads the charge in March, with the Cooper 3-door, 5-door and Convertible following later in 2026. Pricing will be revealed nearer the launch, which is all very sensible — no one wants sticker shock before test drives are finished.
What You’ll See On The Road
This edition marries MINI’s compact, cheeky persona with the collaborator’s playful British design flourishes. There are three main exterior colours: Statement Grey, a modern nod to the 1959 Mini Austin Seven grey with a cool bluish tint; Inspired White, a contemporary take on Classic Mini Beige; and Midnight Black Metallic, the steady, elegant option from the current range.
Nottingham Green is the sneaky hero here. It crops up as accent paint on the side mirrors, the octagonal grille surround, the wheel hub covers and on one of the two roof choices. The roof itself comes in two flavours: one with a Nottingham Green rear-side stripe and the other with sophisticated stripes in Jet Black alternating between matte and gloss. All models ride on 18-inch Night Spoke wheels in Dark Steel Flash, and the MINI badge gets a fresh Black Blue treatment to suit the palette.
Details That Make It Paul Smith
Expect the little things to steal the show. The ‘Signature Stripe’ appears subtly on the roof, and the rear handle strip carries the collaborator’s signature. The Convertible gets a black soft top. A projected greeting, a cheerful motto on the door sill and a hand-drawn rabbit on the floor mats are the sort of hidden touches that make owners grin every time they open the door.
Inside: British Restraint With A Wink
Inside is tidy, tactile and occasionally mischievous. Knitted black surfaces on the dash and doors reference tone-on-tone stripes, while Nightshade Blue sports seats in Vescin get knitted textile inserts on shoulder and headrest areas. Steering wheel stitching adds a bright pop of colour. The central circular display offers three exclusive backgrounds in Personal Mode, so the cockpit can feel proper bespoke rather than factory-standard.
A Partnership With Some History
This is not a one-off fling. The collaboration stretches back to the late 1990s, when a Classic Mini was given a distinctive wrap that put both brands on the same creative page. Since then there have been anniversary stripe cars, minimalist one-offs and even a modern electric reworking of a classic. Each project has been an exercise in keeping things classic with a twist, and this edition is another tidy chapter in that story.
Merch, Timing And Price
To coincide with the car’s arrival, a capsule bag collection inspired by the edition’s details is available now online and will appear in select stores from next year. Australian buyers can expect the electric Cooper to arrive in March 2026, with the other Cooper models following later that year. Exact pricing will be announced closer to the market launch.
Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
