MINI Meets

This great picture of GPMINI (and me) was uploaded to Flickr by Alex, and he kindly sent me a higher resolution version …

Thanks, Alex!

Now that the Coupe embargo has lifted, I can post pictures from my “Kingly” ride up Mount Washington in the passenger seat of the Coupe – a very enjoyable ride, chatting with a great guy (Thomas) experiencing his first trip up the mountain, and taking pictures of the drive instead of my normal driving!

As for the Coupe:
Initial thoughts seeing it from the outside were somewhat disappointing, as without the “boxy” rear it looks very un-MINI-like; however like the Countryman, it has perfect MINI styling inside and of course handles and sounds like a MINI too (though of course I don’t know what it’s like to drive!)
The Coupe felt much higher quality that MINIs I’ve owned – I noticed that too with the Countryman test drive, but the Coupe seems improved again. Great looking / feeling leather, and generally a nice finish. Good job, MINI.

OK, now for some pictures:

NOTE: for those wondering how I got to ride in a pre-production, un-released, car: MINI USA fabulously offered this “prize” in a fund-raising auction during MINIsOnTop, and my high bid goes to Make-A-Wish and the Mount Washington Observatory.