The MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition now available in Singapore 04.02.2021: Number 37 is back on the starting line. MINI Asia and Eurokars Habitat are proud to introduce five units of an exclusive special model to commemorate the first triumph of the classic Mini at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 – the MINI Paddy

Number 37 is back on the starting line.



MINI Asia and Eurokars Habitat are proud to introduce five units of an exclusive special model to commemorate the first triumph of the classic Mini at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 – the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition – now available in the MINI Cooper S 3 Door and MINI Cooper S 5 Door variants.

 

57 years have passed, but memories of the great triumph achieved by the compact car with the starting number 37 have hardly faded. In 1964, the classic Mini Cooper S clinched the first of three overall victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally.



At the wheel: the then 30-year-old Northern Irish rally driver Patrick “Paddy” Hopkirk. In his honour, MINI now presents an edition model with exclusive design and equipment features to mark one of the most spectacular achievements in the history of international motor racing.


One unmistakable reminder of Hopkirk’s coup in the classic Mini is the winning car’s start number 37, which is featured in stylised form on the driver and passenger doors of the edition model. Like the famous starting number and the powerful engine, the body finish in Chili Red and the white roof of the edition model are inspired by the historical model.

 

Hopkirk’s victorious run in the Mini Cooper S was frenetically celebrated by spectators on site and motor racing fans in the UK. Driving the small British car with his English co-pilot Henry Liddon, Hopkirk overcame the odds against competitors with significantly greater engine power.



The handicap formula in force at the time meant that differences in weight and output within the starting field were compensated to a certain extent. But the crucial factors in the challenging chase over country roads and mountain passes, through ice snow, round tight corners and down steep slopes were the agility and reliability of the Mini Cooper S and Hopkirk’s driving skills.

 

The surprise win in Monte Carlo made Paddy Hopkirk the UK’s most famous rally driver overnight. At the same time, the classic Mini advanced from outsider and crowd pleaser to being a motor racing legend. This status was underpinned in the years that followed when the Mini Cooper S dominated the Monte Carlo Rally. Hopkirk’s Finnish team mates Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen added two more outright victories to the title collection in 1965 and 1967.

 

The winning streak at the Monte Carlo Rally continues to inspire MINI fans all over the world to this day. With the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition, they now have the opportunity to express their passion for racing in a particularly authentic way. The edition model combines its exterior paintwork in the style of the historic rally winner in a market-specific manner with 17-inch John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels in Track Spoke Black design and numerous other accentuations in dark colours.



The frame and horizontal brace of the radiator grille are finished in high-gloss black, as are the inserts for the lower air intakes, the opening in the bonnet, the door handles, the fuel filler flap, the tailgate handle, the MINI logos at the front and rear as well as the surrounds for the headlights and rear lights.

 

Other exclusive features that set the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition apart from the standard MINI Cooper S variant include the John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit with rear spoiler, John Cooper Works Dinamica Leather Carbon Black upholstery, John Cooper Works steering wheel with paddle shifters, and an anthracite headliner for an extra sporty feel.

 

The start number 37 also appears on the side indicator elements known as side scuttles. Other unmistakable features on the exterior are the LED headlights and the rear lights in Union Jack design, stickers with the inscription “Paddy Hopkirk Monte Carlo” and a single white bonnet stripe on the left side of the bonnet, which like the tailgate of the edition model bears the signature of the 1964 “Monte” winner. In addition, the famous number and letter combination 33 EJB of the number plate of the 1964 Monte Carlo winning car is shown on the bonnet strip using 3D effect graphics.

 

Hopkirk’s signature also appears on the decorative trim strip on the passenger side, which forms part of the Piano Black high-gloss interior surfaces. Another exclusive design feature is the MINI LED entry sills bearing the name “Paddy Hopkirk”.



The MINI Excitement Package and Comfort Access are also included in the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition. Auxiliary headlights in Piano Black, a key cap with the start number 37, and the Waistline Finisher in Piano Black for the trim strips between the body and the greenhouse all come as standard.

 





MINI Connected.



The standard-fitted MINI Connected application on the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition offers an exceptionally wide range of digital services that allow seamless integration of the car into the driver’s day-to-day digital routine.



    A particularly useful feature is the Real Time Traffic Information service – this provides the latest traffic information so that drivers can spot and bypass traffic bottlenecks on their journey. It also improves the accuracy of estimated travelling time based on the traffic conditions on the route taken.



     ‘Weather’ and ‘News’ vehicle apps provide information and entertainment throughout the journey, and drivers can even request for the car to read out the latest news.



    The Natural Language Understanding feature enables drivers to operate certain functions of the car by speaking, and the system has a processing speed of just a few seconds.



    Teleservices by MINI delivers greater convenience and efficient servicing processes. As soon as a service is required, the service-related data is automatically transferred to the MINI Centre via the Automatic Teleservice Call. A representative will retrieve this data, analyse it, and contact the driver to arrange a service or maintenance appointment.



    The Remote Services function is particularly useful when the driver is not near the car. For example, if he isn’t sure that the windows are fully closed or if the doors are locked, all he needs to do is to check the status on the MINI Connected smartphone app (available for Apple and Android devices). The car doors can be remotely locked and unlocked via the app. On a particularly hot day, the driver is also able to cool down the car by switching on the air ventilation function via the app well before he gets to the driver’s seat. Other useful information such as the car’s fuel level is also reflected on the app.



    For greater peace of mind, the Intelligent Emergency Call function comes in handy for quick emergency assistance at the push of a button. If the driver gets into an accident or sees a vehicle that needs immediate help, a call is made directly to the BMW Group Call Centre with key data from the car, such as the exact location as well as the status of the airbags and front seat belts. If necessary, the system can even make the call automatically.

 




Amanda Poh- photos Mini