According to reports, the MINI colour palette is to be updated this summer (July to be precise) following customer feedback that the current range is just ‘too blue’ and a little on the bland side.

As is usually the case, some existing colours are being forfeited in order to make way for the three new colours that will be available across the MINI range. The new colours will be: Kumquat Orange, which replaces Nightfire Red, Sweet Lime (replacing the previously ever present, but rather dull, British Racing Green) and Pink Grapefruit, which arrives in place of Sparkling Silver.

BMW head of colour and vibrancy Dr. Töricht said:

MINI should be a vibrant brand, and we recognise, based on customer feedback, that maybe we had become a little dull and unadventurous with our colour palette. These three new “Citrus” colours will add something different, something fruity and fun to the MINI that perhaps has been lacking until now, we are sure they will be a great hit.
We appreciate that replacing traditional British Racing Green with our exciting new Lime Green may leave a bitter taste in the mouths of some of our British customers, but we’d rather have sour than dour, and we’re sure that they’ll appreciate that being a German brand having British Racing Green among the colour options was a little uncomfortable.

In other news, BMW have released a press statement about their new protection system for Alloy wheels. We trust this clever technology will eventually appear on the MINI range too:

BMW’s Canine Repellent Alloy Protection

The latest innovation to stop foul play on the street

BMW has announced the first details of the new Canine Repellent Alloy Protection system. Designed to stop dogs fouling against the sparkling alloys of new BMW cars, the innovative Canine Repellent Alloy Protection system (C.R.A.P.) is the latest offering in the BMW EfficientDynamics programme.

Using the EfficientDynamics Brake Energy Regeneration system, energy that would normally have been lost during engine over-run and during braking is harnessed as Rim Impulse Power (R.I.P.) and stored for future use. Whenever a dog tries to relieve itself on the wheel of a suitably-equipped BMW, a small and relatively painless electric shock is immediately administered to the animal, thus deterring it from future fouling.

Dr Hans Zoff, Head of Automotive Security from BMW AG, said; “Research shows that most BMW customers like to keep their cars clean and dog fouling is a constant irritant. Not only does the Canine Repellent Alloy Protection system support this aim, but it does so using energy created through the EfficientDynamics programme. Beauty through engineering perfection – our philosophy in a wheel nut.”